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A Preliminary Report on

Diversity of Coastal Ecosystems of Maharashtra Part 3:

Ecologically Sensitive Coastal Areas

of Ratnagiri, Rajapur and Vijaydurga

October 2012

Deepak Apte

Vishal Bhave

Reshma Pitale

Pooja Nagle

Amruta Prasade

A Preliminary Report on Diversity of Coastal Ecosystems of Maharashtra Part 3: Ecologically Sensitive Coastal Areas of Ratnagiri, Rajapur and Vijaydurga

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Citation

Apte, D., Bhave, V., Pitale, R., Nagale, P. and A. Prasade (2012). A Preliminary Report on

Diversity of Coastal Ecosystemsof Maharashtra Part 3: Ecologically Sensitive Coastal Areas of

Ratnagiri, Rajapur and Vijaydurga. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai. 173p.

__________________

This report is a part of the series on Diversity of Coastal Ecosystems of Maharashtra. The study

is still in its preliminary stage and the report is based on the work accomplished so far.


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Authors express sincere sense of gratitude to Mr. Rajendra Pawar, Mr. Vishwas Shinde and Mr.

Milind Dhupkar for their invaluable assistance. Their contributions are always been instrumental

especially during the fieldwork.

We are also thankful to the residents at study sites who generously allowed us to work within

their privately owned premises without any hindrance and sharing their knowledge and

experiences.


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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................................ 2

List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................... 7

List of Maps ........................................................................................................................................... 7

List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ 8

List of Images ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Coastal Konkan .................................................................................................................................. 13

Ecosyatems identified ....................................................................................................................... 13

Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 15

Characterization of major habitat types ........................................................................................... 15

Biodiversity assessment .................................................................................................................... 15

Rocky shore ................................................................................................................................... 15

Sandy Shore .................................................................................................................................. 16

Muddy Shore and Mangroves ....................................................................................................... 16

Maps showing Distribution of various habitats along the coastal Ratnagiri ...................................... 17

Habitat characterisation ..................................................................................................................... 25

Rocky Shores ..................................................................................................................................... 26

TYPE I ............................................................................................................................................. 26

TYPE II ............................................................................................................................................ 27

Type III ........................................................................................................................................... 27

Inter-tidal Rock Pools: Structure and composition ....................................................................... 28

Coral Reef .......................................................................................................................................... 30

Sandy Shores ..................................................................................................................................... 30

Reflective sandy shores ................................................................................................................. 30

Dissipative sandy shores ............................................................................................................... 30

Intermediate sandy shores ........................................................................................................... 30

Sand Dunes ....................................................................................................................................... 31

Fore dunes .................................................................................................................................... 31

Parabolic dunes ............................................................................................................................. 31

Transgressive dune fields .............................................................................................................. 31

Mangroves and Muddy Shore ........................................................................................................... 31


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Account of Mudflats, Mangroves from Maharashtra coast of India ............................................ 32

Site Description: Rocky Shores ........................................................................................................... 34

Ratnagiri – Undi ................................................................................................................................ 35

Ratnagiri – Varawade ........................................................................................................................ 39

Ratnagiri – Aare-ware ....................................................................................................................... 43

Ratnagiri – Mirya ............................................................................................................................... 47

Ratnagiri – Mirya 2 ............................................................................................................................ 51

Ratnagiri – Alawa .............................................................................................................................. 55

Ratnagiri – Mandavi .......................................................................................................................... 59

Ratnagiri – Purnagad ......................................................................................................................... 64

Rajapur – Kasheli ............................................................................................................................... 68

Rajapur – Ambolgad .......................................................................................................................... 72

VIJ-1 (Near Vijaydurga Fort) .............................................................................................................. 76

VIJ-3 (Near Girye) .............................................................................................................................. 80

Site Description: Sandy shore ............................................................................................................. 84

Rajapur-Ansure ................................................................................................................................. 85

Rajapur-Madban ............................................................................................................................... 87

Rajapur-Jaitapur ................................................................................................................................ 89

Rajapur-Ambolgad ............................................................................................................................ 91

Rajapur-Tiware .................................................................................................................................. 93

Rajapur-Vetye ................................................................................................................................... 95

Ratnagiri-Gaokhadi ........................................................................................................................... 97

Ratnagiri- Bhatye............................................................................................................................... 99

Ratnagiri- Kalabadevi-Aare ............................................................................................................. 101

Ratnagiri- Ganapatipule .................................................................................................................. 103

Sindhudurg- VIJ-1 ............................................................................................................................ 105

Sindhudurg- VIJ-2 ............................................................................................................................ 107

Sindhudurg- VIJ-3 ............................................................................................................................ 109

Sindhudurg- VIJ-4 ............................................................................................................................ 111

Site description: Muddy Shore ......................................................................................................... 113

Ratnagiri Ansure creek: Ansure Dandewadi ................................................................................... 114

Ratnagiri Ansure creek: Ansure Khalchi-waki ................................................................................. 118

Ratnagiri Nate creek ....................................................................................................................... 121


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Ratnagiri Nate creek: Juve .............................................................................................................. 121

Ratnagiri Nate creek: Dhaulwalli..................................................................................................... 124

Ratnagiri Nate creek: Mithgavane, Waghran, Shindewadi, Ghodepoy .......................................... 127

Jaigad Creek .................................................................................................................................... 130

Bhatye Creek ................................................................................................................................... 132

Vijaydurga Creek ............................................................................................................................. 134

Vijaydurga Creek: Anpur ................................................................................................................. 134

Vijaydurga Creek: Rameshwar ........................................................................................................ 138

Ecologically Sensitive Coastal areas (ESCAs) of RatnagirI ................................................................. 141

Jaigad-Undi-Varawade ................................................................................................................... 143

Kalbadevi-Ratnagiri-Bhatye ............................................................................................................ 144

Ambolgad-Kasheli .......................................................................................................................... 145

Ansure creek .................................................................................................................................. 147

Vijaydurga ....................................................................................................................................... 148

Conservation Issues .......................................................................................................................... 149

Development as threat ................................................................................................................... 149

Ecological and socioconomic ISSUES .............................................................................................. 151

References ........................................................................................................................................ 152

Annexures ......................................................................................................................................... 154


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LIST OF TABLES

Sr. No. Title

1 Account of Mudflats, Mangroves from Maharashtra coast

2 Commercially important gastropods, bivalves and prawns from Bhatye creek

3 Criteria used to select ESCAs using National and International guidelines (IUCN)

4 The areas and habitats covered in Kalbadevi – Ratnagiri – Bhatye cluster

5 The areas and habitats covered in Ambolgad - Kasheli cluster

6 The areas and habitats covered in Ansure cluster

7 The areas and habitats covered in Vijaydurgs cluster

Annexure 1 Checklist of Opisthobranch species from rocky shore

Annexure 2 Checklist of identified species (other than Opisthobranchs) from rocky shore

Annexure 3 Checklist of identified species from sandy shore

Annexure 4 Checklist of identified species from muddy shore

Annexure 5 Complete checklist of birds from study sites

LIST OF MAPS

Sr. No. Title

1 Distribution of various habitats : Jaigad to Varawade

2 Distribution of various habitats : Varawade to Aare-Ware

3 Distribution of various habitats : Aare-Ware to Kurli

4 Distribution of various habitats: Kurli to Ganeshgule

5 Distribution of various habitats : Ganeshgule to Kasheli

6 Distribution of various habitats : Kasheli to Ambolgad

7 Distribution of various habitats: Ambolgad to Vijaydurga

8 Sampling locations at Undi rocky shore

9 Sampling locations at Varawade rocky shore

10 Sampling locations at Aare-Ware rocky shore

11 Sampling locations at Mirya rocky shore

12 Sampling locations at Mirya – 2 rocky shore

13 Sampling locations at Alawa rocky shore

14 Sampling locations at Mandavi rocky shore

15 Sampling locations at Purnagad rocky shore

16 Sampling locations at Kasheli rocky shore

17 Sampling locations at Ambolgad rocky shore

18 Sampling locations at Vij – 1 rocky shore

19 Sampling locations at Vij – 3 rocky shore


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20 Sampling locations at Ansure sandy shore

21 Sampling locations at Madban sandy shore

22 Sampling locations at Jaitapur sandy shore

23 Sampling locations at Ambolgad sandy shore

24 Sampling locations at Tiware sandy shore

25 Sampling locations at Vetye sandy shore

26 Sampling locations at Gaokhadi sandy shore

27 Sampling locations at Bhatye sandy shore

28 Sampling locations at Kalbadevi- Aare sandy shore

29 Sampling locations at Ganapatipule sandy shore

30 Sampling locations at Vij – 1 sandy shore




34 Sampling locations at Ansure Dandewadi muddy shore

35 Sampling locations at Ansure Khalchi Waki muddy shore

36 Sampling locations at Juve muddy shore

37 Sampling locations at Dhaulwalli muddy shore

38 Sampling locations at Mithgavane, Waghran, Shindewadi and Ghodepoye muddy shore

39 Sampling locations along Jaigad Creek

40 Sampling locations along Bhatye Creek

41 Sampling location at Anpur muddy shore

42 Sampling location at Rameshwar muddy shore

43 ESCA: Jaygad – Undi – Varawade cluster

44 ESCA: Kalbadevi – Ratnagiri – Bhatye cluster

45 ESCA: Ambolhad – Kashelie cluster

46 ESCA: Ansure – Vijaydurgs cluster

47 Areas of influence (10 km radius) of thermal and nuclear power plants, mega shipyards, minor ports and captive jetties between Ranpar Creek and Jaigad Creek

LIST OF FIGURES

Sr. No. Title

1 Typical intertidal shore zonation in Ratnagiri region

2 Type I Rocky shore: Mirya, Ratnagiri

3 Type II Rocky shore: Mandavi, Ratnagiri

4 Type III Rocky shore: Purnagad, Ratnagiri

5 A typical rock pool


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6 Species richness at Undi rocky shore

7 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Undi rocky shore

8 Species Richness at Varawade rocky shore

9 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Varawade rocky shore

10 Species richness at Aare-ware rocky shore

11 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Aare-Ware rocky shore

12 Species richness at Mirya rocky shore

13 Distribution of Ophithobranch (family) at Mirya rocky shore

14 Species richness at Mirya 2 rocky shore

15 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mirya 2 rocky shore

16 Species richness at Alwa rocky shore

17 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Alwa rocky shore

18 Species richness at Mandavi rocky shore

19 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mandavi rocky shore

20 Species richness at Purnagad rocky shore

21 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Purnagad rocky shore

22 Species richness at Kasheli rocky shore

23 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Kasheli rocky shore

24 Species richness at Ambolgad rocky shore

25 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Ambolgad rocky shore

26 Species richness at Vij – 1 rocky shore

27 Distribution of Ophisthobranch at Vij – 1 rocky shore

28 Species Richness at Vij – 3 rocky shore

29 Distribution of Ophisthobranch at Vij – 3 rocky shore

30 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Ansure Dandewadi muddy shore

31 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Ansure Khalchi Waki muddy shore

32 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Juve muddy shore

33 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Dhaulwalli muddy shore

34 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Nate Creek

35 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Anpur muddy shore

36 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Rameshwar muddy shore


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LIST OF IMAGES

Sr. No. Title

1 Rockpools at various localities

2 Porites sp. ifound n rock pools

3 Blue-lined Hind Cephalopholis formosa

4 Flatworm (Possibly new species)

5 A Sea slug Phyllodesmium poindimei

6 Lamellaria sp. (Gastropoda)

7 Unidentified Fish

8 Sea Cucumber Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota

9 Hamenoia sp.

10 Decorator Crab with orange and yellow sponges on body

11 Rostanga sp. with Red sponge Ophlitaspongia sp.

12 Chaetomorpha sp. (Green algae)

13 Macrorhynchia philippina (stinging hydroid)

14 Stomopneustes variolaris (Common Rock-boring Sea Urchin)

15 Cypraea moneta

16 Cinachyrella sp. (Puff Ball Sponge)

17 Anteaeodiella indica with egg case

18 Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides phocaenoides) observed stranded

19 A Crab

20 Dendrodoris fumata (Sea Slug)

21 Lucernariopsis sp. (Stalked jelly fish)

22 Nurse Shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) in the intertidal pool at Mandavi, Ratnagiri

23 Purple Gorgonid (Close up of Polyp)

24 Eubranchus cf. mimeticus

25 Asterina lorioli (Button Star)

26 Stylocheilus longicauda in the rock pool at Ambolgad

27 Oyster bed

28 Platevindex cf. coriaceus on wooden log

29 Metropograpsus sp.

30 Pinctada margaritifera (Pearl Oyster)

31 Epibiosis: Sertularid Hydroid on the mussel

32 Conus sp. in meso-littoral zone

33 Crab hole

34 Ghost crab

35 Hermit crab

36 Vegetation along shore


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37 Physalia physalis

38 Crab hole

39 Donax sp

40 Littoraria scabra

41 Thias bufo

42 Jackal at Vetye

43 Ghost crab

44 Polychaete tubes

45 Sea Snake

46 Porpita porpita

47 Goose barnacles

48 Epitonium sp.

49 Turritella sp.

50 Astropecten indicus

51 Oliva nebulos

52 Mole crab

53 Halophila cf. becarii

54 Clithon oualaiensis

55 Mangrove crabs

56 Mud mounds at Mithgavane

57 Elysia bengalensis

58 Sea anemone

59 Dog-faced snake dwelling in mudflats

60 Hamenoia sp.

61 Local fishermen with their traditional fishing gears


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INTRODUCTION

bout 71% of the surface of the earth is covered by oceans. The water depth averages 3.8

km and a volume of 1.370 x 106 km3. Since life exist throughout this immense volume, the

oceans constitute the single largest storehouse of organisms on earth. These organisms

represent virtually all phyla and are tremendously varied. Hence ocean is one of the most

important ecosystems of the planet Earth and biodiversity related to the Marine Ecosystem is

termed as Marine Biodiversity.

An ecosystem comprises of all the organisms of a given area and their relationship with one

another as well as with the physical and abiotic environment. Life originated in the sea and hence

marine life is much older than the terrestrial life. As a consequence, animal and plant diversity at

higher taxonomic levels are much greater in the sea where there are 14 endemic (unique) animal

phyla. For plants, the situation seems to be different—almost all algal groups have

representatives in both fresh and marine waters and higher plants are nearly exclusively

terrestrial. There is also a remarkable diversity of life-history strategies in marine organisms. The

sum total of genetic resources and physiological diversity in the sea is therefore expected to be

much more diverse than on land.

Although many features of the environment are virtually uniform over wide areas, different parts

of the sea are populated by different communities of organisms. The aim of marine ecological

studies is to discover what these differences are and why they exist, and to evaluate the factors

responsible for them. These investigations encounter many difficulties.

The effects of variation in single factors can be studied to some extent in controlled conditions in

the laboratory but in this unnatural environment the responses may be abnormal. There is also

the complication that several interlinked factors often interact with each other to create an effect,

for example, in some species the tolerance to salinity change is modified by temperature and

temperature tolerance may itself vary with salinity. Furthermore, observations on one specimen

from one locality may not hold for the entire population distributed world-wide, because each

species exhibits a range of variation for each characteristic. These variations may be related to

the geographical situation due to selection or acclimatization.

Apart from the effects of the inorganic environment, there are also many ways in which

organisms influence each other. Even when physical and chemical conditions seem suitable, a

species may not flourish as the presence or absence of other species may have an unfavourable

effect. Predation may also be severe. Other competing forms may be more successful in

particular circumstances. The environment may be lacking in some essential resources

contributed by other species, such as food, protection, substratum or some other requirement.

These biological factors are obviously of greater importance, but their evaluation is extremely

difficult.

Generally the distribution of species is an equilibrium involving many complex interactions

between population and environment, which are at present very incompletely understood.

Nonetheless, a start can be made in tracing the complicated web of influences which control the

lives of marine organisms by first studying the individual parameters of the environment, noting

the extent to which each can be correlated with the distribution and activity of different species,

and observing the effects of change both in natural conditions and in the laboratory. The

A


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parameters of obvious biological importance are temperature, the composition of water,

pressure, illumination, water movements and specific gravity.

The present study is confined to the inter-tidal areas of Ratnagiri, Rajapur and Vijaydurga.

COASTAL KONKAN

The coastal region of the Maharashtra state has six districts viz. Thane, Greater Mumbai, Navi

Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhdurg popularly known as Konkan region. The entire region

is hilly, narrow, highly dissected with transverse ridges of the Sahyadri hill ranges (Western

Ghats) on its east and at many places extending as promontories, notches, sea caves,

embayment, submerged shoals and offshore islands.

Off the total length of the Maharashtra coast, about 15 rivers, 5 major creeks and 30 backwater

regions have been reported (Jagtap et al, 1994). All these creeks and estuaries together form the

drainage in East-West direction and flow/ drain to the Arabian Sea in the west. The major

upstream freshwater flowing rivers or estuaries area absent, except few small rivers like

Kundalika, Savitri, Vashishti, Shastri, and few creeks like Vaitarna, Ulhas-Thane complex,

Karanja-Dharmatar complex, Purnagad, Devgarh, Achra and Karli creeks (Naskar and Mandal,

1999). Mouths of these rivers and creeks are wide-open, funnel shaped with shoals.

ECOSYATEMS IDENTIFIED

Rocky Shores

Rocky shores in Konkan are out crops of foot hill of Sahyadri. These are formed in between

sandy shores which have characteristic “c” shape forming bays. There are about 32 rocky shores

along the costal Maharashtra (Gole, 1997). Rocky shores are made up of eroded cliffs; wave cut

platforms and vertical cliffs. The main feature of rocky shores of Ratnagiri is tidal pools.

Sandy Shores

Sandy shores are formed by accumulation of sand particles driven by wind or water current.

Sandy beaches are classified on the basis of sand structures, wave action, surf zone and the

sand grain size.

Sand Dunes

Sand dunes are hills or mountains formed by accumulation of sand due to action of tides, waves

and wind. The process is known as Aeolian process.

Mangroves and mudflats

Mudflats of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga coast possess profuse, forested patches of mangrove

plants and their associate vegetation.

Coral Reefs

Coastal areas of Konkan especially Ratnagiri are known for the presence of patch reefs along

the shoreline. (Qasim and Wafer, 1979, Untawale et al, 2000, Spalding et al 2001) Total 2-3


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species of corals has been recorded from the area; very few species are recorded from intertidal

area.

Concerned areas are very poorly studied so far in terms of diversity and other ecological aspects.

Few studies undertaken from Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga reveal the faunal and floral richness of

the area. Untawale and Dhargalkar (2002) carried out surveys to design conservation strategies

for the coast of Maharashtra and recommended that Ratnagiri and Vijaydurga should be

considered for ‘Marine protected areas’. Another effort made by Kulkarni (2005) defines present

status of coastal ecology, prioritized and suggested immediate measures for southern stretch of

Konkan i.e. Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga. Moreover, initiatives by NIO in objective of protection of

marine biodiversity listed coast of Ratnagiri and surrounding mangroves along with other coastal

stretches of Maharashtra (Untawale and Dhargalkar, 2002).

However, there is a strong need of more robust data regarding species diversity and distribution,

generated through systematic evaluation of these habitats to underscore the importanceof this

area.

Primary objective of this study thaus was to evaluate coastal habitats of Maharashtra with

respect to diversity and to prioritize the sites as biodiversity hotspots for conservation.


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METHODOLOGY

CHARACTERIZATION OF MAJOR HABITAT TYPES

Various physiographic factors in combination with tidal cycles give rise to habitat diversity across

the transition from sea to land. The major habitats identified within the study area were as

follows:

Rocky shores

Sandy shores

Sand dunes

Mangroves and Mud flats

Open Ocean

Salt pans (Not present in current area of study)

The present study is focused only on Intertidal region and rocky, sandy and muddy shores

including mangroves were studied in detail. We have presented data about a few oceanic and

near shore species based on sightings by locals, fishermen and records from various literature

sources.

The characteristics of these three habitats studied are summarized in the subsequent section.

BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT

Systematic biodiversity assessment was carried out at selected sites for three seasons in two

consequtive years. The details of various methodologies used for different habitats are as

follows.

Rocky shore

Random quadrates were placed within different zones of intertidal area. Fauna and flora from the

surface of the rocks as well as underside of the lose rocks were recorded along with

photodocumentation. The side walls of pools, pebbles and cobbles at the base of rock pools

were also surveyed and collection was carried out for systematic study.

We have used Opisthobranchs (Phylum Mollusca) diversity as one of the index to describe rocky

shore ESCAs. These are highly specialized organisms due to various rasons. These are habitat

specialists and have specific preferences for food, narrow range of tolerance for environmental

fluctuations and are widespread. Many species are cryptic and highly seasonal in their

occurrence. Thus these are ideal organisms which can be used to assess the ecological status of

an area. We have used their diversity to prioritize sites of conservation value. The data was

generated over two seasons, viz. pre-monsoon and post-monsoon.

Additionaly we inventoried other phyla and have taken into account the species richness of these

sites. It was not feasible to gather data on benthic species less than 5 mm in size (except for

opisthobranchs) due to practical difficulties.


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Sandy Shore

Habitat and biodiversity of the sandy shores were studied by using transects perpendicular to the

shore line at selected sites. To cover maximum area 3 transects per kilometer were laid and 3

samples were collected per transect. Topographical factors including shore profile, wave action

which directly reflect on the fauna of sandy shore were also taken into consideration. Sand

characters like sand particle size, color and texture were also examined. To study these

parameters sand samples were collected along the transects. Seasonal changes in both, the

faunal diversity and shore profile were also studied.

Muddy Shore and Mangroves

Mudflat biota is largly dependent on vegetation health; any deleterious consequence on it equally

destroys species assemblages which grow attached or among them. Especially, epibiotic

members which inhabit surface remain in close contact with sediment and become highly

susceptible for any type of circumstances along with the arboreal forms. In turn, they are most

significant in maintenance of structure and function of the vegetation because of following

reasons and hence can be considered as potential ecological indicators.

They are abundant through-out and show horizontal and vertical distribution with their

mobile and sessile forms.

Their rowing activities improve water penetration and nutrient exchange (Khan et al. 2005,

Smith et al., 1991 & Paphavasit et al. 1990)

Owing to this, epibiotic and arboreal faunal assemblages were studied from 11 sites of mudflats

and mangroves along the banks of major creek systems (Jaigad, Ansure, Nate, Bhatye and

Vijaydurg). Pilot surveys and literature review were carried out for all these sites, however

detailed documentation of habitat structure and epibiotic faunal composition was done only for

sites along Ansure, Nate, Vijaydurgs creeks only.

Sites were surveyed during low tide; however, few areas which were not accessible even in low

tide were surveyed using boat during high tide. Sample locations within a particular area were

selected on the basis of its position in relation with main creek or creeklet, type of substratum

and surrounding macrohabitat. The substrate characteristics described here are purely on the

basis of visual observation since results of textural analysis is still pending due to large sample

size. Arboreal counts (on mangrove trees) were taken by following the method described by

Sasekumar (1974). Vertical counts were taken in 0-25cm grid (ground level to 25cm above)

following next 50 cm and successive 1m zone. Each species were recorded per unit length.

Presence/absence data for epibiotic members were collected by random search method during

low tide.


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MAPS SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS HABITATS ALONG

THE COASTAL RATNAGIRI


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Map 1 Distribution of various habitats : Jaigad to Varawade


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Map 2 Distribution of various habitats : Varawade to Aare-Ware


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Map 3 Distribution of various habitats: Aare-Ware to Kurli


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Map 4 Distribution of various habitats: Kurli to Ganeshgule


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Map 5 Distribution of various habitats : Ganeshgule to Kasheli


23

Map 6 Distribution of various habitats : Kasheli to Ambolgad


24

Map 7 Distribution of various habitats: Ambolgad to Vijaydurga


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HABITAT CHARACTERISATION


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ROCKY SHORES

Rocky shores in Konkan are out crops of foot hills of Sahyadri. These are formed in between

sandy shores which have characteristic “C” shape forming bays. There are about 32 rocky

shores along the costal Maharashtra (Gole, 1997). Rocky shores are made up of eroded cliffs,

wave cut platforms and rugged sea cliffs (Fig. 1).

Fig.1 Typical intertidal shore zonation in Ratnagiri region

General structure of rocky shores in Konkan

There are three types in rocky shore ecosystems that can be observed in the Konkan region.

Intertidal area varies according to geographical features on land and hence the types are based

on geographical conditions on actual site. the intertidal area varies from type I to III if we

surveyed larger areas/distance of the particular shore.

TYPE I

Fig. 2 Type I Rocky shore: Mirya, Ratnagiri

Type I rocky shore consists of a shore with rock ledges and steep slope. The Intertidal zone in

type I shores is very small in width. It thus shows little difference in the composition of intertidal

fauna. In some areas there are formations of rock tables (a large flat area) at the level of high

tide mark/ splash zone. This area is inundated twice or thrice a month. Thus these areas show

presence of dense population of terrestrial affinity Littorinid gastropods. In this type of shore we

can demarcate splash zone and high tide zone (supra-littoral zone) but it is difficult to demarcate


27

between middle zone (meso-littoral zone) and low tide areas (infra-littoral zone). At some sites,

infra-littoral zone is permanently submerged.

TYPE II

Fig. 3 Type II Rocky shore: Mandavi, Ratnagiri

In type II shore the Intertidal area may range from few meters to kilometres. Continental slope in

such areas is very gentle and shallow, resulting in formation of larger intertidal areas. In this type

we can see shallow tidal pools, loose boulders, rocks, cobbles, pebbles etc. There is proper

segregation of intertidal zones such as supra littoral, meso littoral and infra littoral. Since the

distinction of zones is very sharp, faunal community structures are also distinct. In Type I and III,

faunal community structures are indistinct. For example, Trochus radiatus prefer infra-littoral

zone is well defined intertidal area (type II) and thus is usually seen nearer to low tide mark.

However, where inter-tidal zone is very small (Type I and III), it can be seen interspersed

between meso to infra littoral zones.

Exposure of inter-tidal fauna to the sunlight, temperature and predation at such sites is very high.

Thus many species prefer a nocturnal mode. There are many cryptic species and several

species remains under rocks and boulders.

Type III

Fig. 4 Type III Rocky shore: Purnagad, Ratnagiri


28

In type III habitat rock shores are combination of both of the above (Type I & II). In this type of

shore continental slope is moderate, intertidal area is narrower but greatly diverse. Rock pools

are somewhat deeper than those at type II habitat. The depth of the rock pools may range up to

6 m. Splash zone is distinct with diverse fauna. Splash zone in this habitats get exposed for

longer durations thus the shallow rock pools in this zone has very high fluctuations of salinity and

temperature. Thus species with high environmental tolerance can be seen here with great

abundance. High density congregation of molluscs is commonly seen in splash and supra-littoral

zone.

Inter-tidal Rock Pools: Structure and composition

Fig. 5 A typical rock pool

Rock pools are dynamic micro niches to many organisms which may spend their entire life cycle

in a single rock pool. Light, frequency of exposure to the tidal water, salinity and temperature

plays very important role in determining the rock pool diversity.

As compared to sandy shores or rocky shores, structure of rock pool is 3 dimensional. Thus we

can consider depth as an important factor while studying rock pool. A cross section of a typical

rock pool is given in Fig. 5. There are four distinct zones which can be separated based on

substrate composition. Each zone has a distinct floral and faunal community. Sunlit areas of the

rock pool are dominated by sea anemones, periwinkles and variety of marine algae. While as

sheltered and less illuminated areas are preferred by hydroids, octocorals and other nocturnal

species. Bottom of the rock pools are invariably dominated by loose pebbles and boulders which

is ideal site for crustaceans and other shade loving creatures.

Konkan coast has characteristic rock pool formations which offers habitat for several species.

Abundance of hydroids, sponges, bryozoans, various algal forms and its associated life forms

are mostly seen in the sheltered rock pools. Some of the rock pool types are illustrated below.


29

Image 1 Rockpools at various localities


30

Inter-tidal rock pool ecology is an independent area of research. Within rocky shores, rock pools

form a unique niche for number of species. The present study does not include systematic

account of rock pool diversity. However, this will be taken up as an independent assessment.

CORAL REEF

Image 2 Porites sp. found in rock pools

Some sites under present study area have secondary reef formations, dominant species being

Porites spp. and zoanthids. Though it is not a major inter-tidal habitat in the present study site but

sheer presence of these reef areas are important as reefs all over world are facing crisis.

SANDY SHORES

Sandy shores are formed by accumulation of sand particles driven by wind or water current.

Sandy beaches are classified on the basis of sand structures formed, wave action, surf zone and

the sand grain size.

Reflective sandy shores

Reflective beaches are steeper than intermediate and dissipative beaches. The surf zone is less

than 10 m and sand grain size is coarse. Waves have low energy.

Dissipative sandy shores

Dissipative beaches were broader and flatter. The surf zone is more than 100m wide and sand

grain size is fine .Wave action is strong in this type of beach.

Intermediate sandy shores

Intermediate beaches have intermediate characters of reflective and dissipative beaches.

The sandy shore fauna are highly adapted, diverse and ecologically significant group. Habitat of

sandy shore fauna depends on the sand particle size and compactness of sediment. Due to high

energy waves sand substrate tends to change and hence the fauna can change. Some are

burrowing, tube dwelling etc. Macro fauna of sandy beach includes molluscs, crustaceans, and

polychaetes. Meiofauna consist of copepods, harpacticoid and nematodes. Micro fauna contain


31

protozoan such as foraminiferans and diatoms. The intertidal fauna found to be sensitive to the

disturbance both natural and human.

SAND DUNES

Sand dunes are hills or mountains formed by accumulation of sand due to action of tides, waves

and wind. The process is known as Aeolian process.

Types of Sand Dunes:

Fore dunes

Fore dunes may consist of hummocks or ridges in one or more lines parallel to the shore.

Parabolic dunes

Parabolic dunes and blowouts occur where strong winds blow sand inland and trailing ridges are

held by vegetation.

Transgressive dune fields

Transgressive dunefields develop where strong winds blow large amounts of sand inland from

exposed, usually dissipative, beaches.

Sand dune fauna and flora is limited but unique to the habitat. They are highly adapted to the

harsh conditions of the shore like strong winds, salinity, and dryness of sand and temperature

fluctuations. Coastal sand dune forms a different habitat along the shore. It provides nesting

habitat for some endangered species of birds and turtles like Olive Ridley. Different insects,

reptiles and some vertebrates are also common. Other fauna includes nematodes, copepods,

amphipods, terbellarians, gastrotrichs and polychaetes. Plants on sand dunes are of various

types from small flowering plants to large trees. Approximately 338 floral species are known to

grow on sand dunes of which 92 species are common to both east and west coast of India. Also

many trees are inhabitants of sand dunes.

Sandy beaches are very important economically and socially. Human settlement is increasing on

lands towards sandy beaches. Issues such as flatening of sand dunes, sand mining has severe

consequences on shore erosion. Sandy shores are widely used for recreational purpose. This

human interference is important cause of disturbance to the biodiversity of sandy shore and

pollution on beaches. Sand dune vegetation and sandy shores provides protection to coast line.

Also help in inland protection against storms and harsh weather conditions.

MANGROVES AND MUDDY SHORE

The sheltered environment and low water currents, which can encourage the deposition of

sediment particles carried by water over the period, are fundamentals behind the formation of

complex muddy shorelines. High organic detritus material dominated by silt and clay is the

textural characteristic of such depositions. Estuarine-Creek complexes which are semi-enclosed

transitional water systems having both fresh and marine water influx are the ideal places where

such kind of sedimentation can naturally occurs (Bush, 2009). Intertidal mudflats are formed on


32

the open or on the banks of estuarine systems (partly enclosed, lagoon, channels). Many factors

are involved in the formation and maintenance of mudflats but tidal inundation and salinity are

the core components which are also responsible for its topographic and ecological complexity.

Introduction and distribution of sediment is carried out by tidal inundations which further

responsible for the formation of various substratum types. Seasonal variations in fresh water

discharge and low tidal movement control the mixing of fresh and marine water thus distinct zone

of salinities are formed within the system.

Specialized group of vegetation can establish and flourish in this unique environment. Mangroves

and sea grass are the classical examples, because of their strategic survival by possessing

phenomenal structural and physiological adaptations. Not only sediment and sediment burrows

of mudflats but integral part of mangrove vegetation structures, like pneumatophores, prop-roots,

tree-trunk burrows, tree canopies, decaying wood, and leaf-litter are important microhabitats

which support diverse faunal assemblages. Sea grass, is the community of angiosperm plants

with its horizontal and vertical structural complex, usually prefers to grow on shallow soft

sediment of estuaries and open mud banks. Interlocked root and rhizome system, which firmly

anchors, grass to the substratum, gives shelter to variety of life forms and hence this aquatic

vegetation also has the propounding influence on surrounding abiotic and biotic assemblages.

Leaf bundles, roots, rhizomes, wracks and associated epiphytic floral and faunal organisms form

different micro and macro habitat for microbes to top level carnivores.

Epiphytic algae, poriferans, polyclads, tubiculous polychaetes, amphipods, isopods, brachyurans,

copepods, gastropods, fishes are the common creatures known to inhabit mangroves and sea

grass beds. Moreover, certain species of amphibians and reptiles (Nagelkerken et al, 2008) are

peculiar to mangrove habitat whereas mega-herbivores such as Dugong and Green Sea Turtle

are known to prefer sea grass areas. Some creatures remained permanently in these

environments and spend their entire life while some species use this dynamic habitat for their

specific life stages. Many economically important crustaceans, shellfishes and fin-fishes

preferred this habitat especially during their developmental stages. Thus this forested muddy

banks and meadows are economically important nursery habitats.

Nutrient flux within coastal food web is maintained by two obligate components i.e.

photosynthetic primary producers (aquatic plants) and corresponding faunal groups acquiring

different rank in the chain (herbivores, carnivores, detritus feeder, filter-feeders). Besides,

compact root system of plants also interferes with the hydrodynamics of the surrounding wave

actions and promotes the settlement of sediment particle which improves the water quality by

decreasing turbidity and also aids in nutrient enrichment.

Account of Mudflats, Mangroves from Maharashtra coast of India

Major westward flowing rivers of Maharashtra (Kundalika, Amba, Shastri, Savitri, Vashishti)

which drain down in to the Arabian Sea form estuarine-creek-river complex at the coastal stretch

of Maharashtra. Delta deposition results in extensive tidal mudflats on the banks of respective

estuaries or creek. Profuse growth of mangrove vegetation is the characteristic feature of these

mudflats. Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga district, where creeks are among the major coastal wetland

type, along with open mudflats and mangroves. Table 1 gives an account of number and area

cover of creeks, mudflat and mangroves of Maharashtra with special reference to Ratnagiri and

Sindhudurga district.


33

Table 1 Account of Mudflats, Mangroves from Maharashtra coast

Number Area in ha

Maharashtra

Creeks 162 41636

Intertidal Mudflats 752 22249

Mangrove 1270 30238

Ratnagiri

Creeks 94 7151


Mangrove 194 3381

Sindhudurga

Creeks 45 4554


Mangrove 79 955

Source: NWIA Maharashtra, 2010


34

SITE DESCRIPTION: ROCKY SHORES


35

RATNAGIRI – UNDI

Map 8 Sampling locations at Undi rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 17.227935,73.238873

End: 17.227306, 73.234972

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Rocky shore, Boulder field


36

Substrate/Habitat description:

Shore Type: Type II and Type III.

Supra-littoral zone is dominated by loose rocks interspersed with sandy substrate followed by an

area with large boulders. Infra-littoral zone has rock pools of varying size and depth. The depth of

rock pool at the high tide mark is lesser and increases as we move towards the low tide.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): The supra-littoral zone is

dominated by the Littorinid molluscs with 2 species; Echinolittorina malaccana & Nodilittorina

leucosticta. Few areas with rock pools showed presence of green algae Enteromorpha sp. in

post monsoon months. The sea-ward margin of the zone shows presence of Planaxis sulcatus.

Meso-littoral Zone (Planaxis-Oyster-Zoanthus Zone): The rock platforms in this zone are

dominated by the presence of Planaxis sulcatus, Drupa heptagonalis, Nerita albicila, Cronia spp.

Oysters and Chitons. This zone is rich in large but shallow rockpools with luxuriant growth of

variety of algae, hydrozoans, bryozoans, zoantherians and anemones. Dominant algal species

include Caulerpa peltata, Caulerpa sertuloides, Sargassum spp., Cheliospermum spectabile.

Some of the large rock pools showed presence of hard coral belonging to genus Porites.

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): The area is dominated by

Sargassum spp. and Caulerpa spp. followed by Dictyota and Padina. Shallow part of the pools

on many occasion are encrusted heavily with Zoantherians and great variety of encrusting,

globular, erect sponges (Tethya sp. and other similar). Deeper rock pools in shadowed areas

show growth of erect bryozoans in between encrusting bryozoans and shade loving sponges.

Also some of the rock pools show presence of octocoral Carijoa with an associated aeolid

Phyllodesmium poindimei and Arminid Dermatobranchus sp.

Image 3 Blue-lined Hind

Cephalopholis formosa

Image 4 Flatworm

(Possibly new species)

Image 5 A Sea slug

Phyllodesmium poindimei

Some fishes such as Red-toothed Trigger Fish (Odonus niger), Butterfly fish, Indo-Pacific

Sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis), Surge Demoiselle (Chrysiptera leucopoma), Blue-lined Hind

(Cephalopholis formosa) were observed regularly. Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins


37

(Sousa chinensis) and Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were commonly observed in

nearby open sea and also the Smooth Sea Otters (Lutra perspicillata).

Species richness at Undi

Fig.6 Species richness at Undi rocky shore

Present study showed 72 mollusca; 13 arthropods and 10 representatives from polychaetes and

15 cnidarians. In all 163 species were recorded from this area.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Undi

Fig.7 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Undi rocky shore

Total of 30 species of opisthobranchs were recorded from the site. Family Facelinidae (Cratena

sp.1, Herviella yatsui, Phidiana anulifera, Phidiana militaris, Phyllodesmium poindimiei) and


38

Dicodoridae (Atagema sp. 1, Jorunna sp. 1, Rostanga sp. 4, Sebadoris fragilis) of order

nudibranchia were represented with 5 and 4 species respectively and these families dominates

the opisthobranch fauna of undi. (For details Annexure 1)

Socio-Economic values

Total Human Population: No data available

Fishers Population: No data available

Total Boats and crafts: No data available

Any special indigenous way of fishing: Fishing is carried out with the help of rods and hooks for

crabs. Majority coastal fishers collect oysters. Few collect gastropods for their meat. Fishing is

also done by traditional cast nets in the near shore waters.

Threats

The site is within 10 km radius impact zone of Jindal thermal power plant situated at Jaigad. The

plant is proposed for an expansion of its capacity thus the threat level is likely to increase in near

future.


39

RATNAGIRI – VARAWADE

Map 9 Sampling locations at Varawade rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start:17.190722, 73.245222

End:17.193944, 73.235889

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Rocky shore, Boulder field


40



It is naturally protected area within the bay. It has a large intertidal area with moderate

continental slope in some areas, with approximately 40 m wide at an average. Supra-littoral zone

has small but deeper rock pools followed by few large rock pools.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral zone: It is dominated by tiny barnacles from genus Chthamalus sp. while as at low

tide mark large Acorn Barnacles (Megabalanus sp.) are dominant.

Meso-littoral zone: It shows luxurient growth of Sargassum. The area is also dominated by

Dictyota, Padina, and Caulerpa. The underside of loose rocks shows growth of various hydroids

and bryozoans. Though opisthobranch species recorded are less, this is a promising area in

terms of rest of the marine biodiversity.

Infra-littoral zone: It showed dominance of rhodophyte and phaeophyte towards the fringe and

in rockpools. The molluscs were dominant amongst the fauna. Flora is dominated by Dictyota

sp., Sargassum sp., Ulva sp. followed by other brown and red alga.

Image 6 Lamellaria sp.

(Gastropoda)

Image 7 Unidentified Fish Image 8 Sea Cucumber

Holothuria (Mertensiothuria)

leucospilota


41

Species richness at Varawade

Fig. 8 Species Richness at Varawade rocky shore

In all 104 species were recorded from this area. Present studies showed 53 species of molluscs,

13 arthropods, 8 sp of polychaetes and 9 sp of cnidarians. Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback

Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were commonly

observed in nearby open sea and also the Smooth Sea Otters (Lutra perspicillata).

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Varawade

Fig.9 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Varawade rocky shore

Discodorididae and Plakobranchidae dominated the opisthobranch fauna of Varawade with 3

species each. In all 15 species of opisthobranchs were recorded. Family Plakobranchidae was

represented by Elysia hirasei, Elysia obtusa and Elysia sp. (See Annexure 1).


42



Fishers Population: 1506

Total Boats and crafts: 60 - mechanized

Indigenous way of fishing: Traditional rods and hooks are used for crabs. Majority coastal

fishers collect bivalves (Mercia divaricata) and Oysters and very few prefer gastropods such as

Trochus and Turbo for their meat.

Fishing by traditional cast nets near shore waters by individual native fishers is common.

Threats

Varawade is a minor port with a small fishing jetty. It is within 12 km radius of impact zone of

Jindal thermal power plant and adjacent to Undi, another important marine biodiversity rich area.


43

RATNAGIRI – AARE-WARE

Map 10 Sampling locations at Aare-Ware rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 17.080005 73.283437

End: 17.079184 73.284596

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Rocky shore


44

Substrate/Habitat description

Shore Type: Type I and III

Inter-tidal area is very narrow but has good representation of intertidal invertebrates. The rock

pools are wider and deeper towards the infra-littoral zone and shallower towards supra-littoral

zone.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral zone: Shallow pools with green filamentous algae on which Elysia hirasei were

observed abundantly. Littorinids viz. Echinolittorina malaccana were found in high density.

Meso-littoral zone: Chetomorpha dominates both supra and meso littoral zones in post

monsoon. Other alga such as Padina and Sargassum are also present. Pink calcareous algae

and pink encrusting algae, are also present and dominate some patches of rock pools. Sponges

were observed in less coverage. Mainly orange encrusting sponge viz. Mycale sp., yellow- red

encrusting sponges was seen. In small shallow rockpools, hydroids were seen inhabiting the

walls. Sea slugs e.g. Eubranchus sp., Herviella yatsui, Cratena sp. were recorded.

Infra-littoral zone: The infra-littoralzone shows rich diversity but very rarely gets exposed as

shore is directed towards open sea, the zone is very narrow in this area. Molluscs such as Turbo

brunneus, Trochus radiatus, Purpurea panama, Pyrene scripta, Pyrene Terpsichore, Scutus

unguis; opisthobranch such as Eurbachus cf. mimeticus, Cratena sp., Cratena lineata,

Dendrodoris fumata, Doris granulosa, Atagema tristis, Elysia hirasei and Jorunna sp.; bivalves

such as Galeomatid bivalve (Galeomatidae), Perna viridis, Gafrarium divaricatum and are

amongst commonly occurring species. Various colorful encrusting sponges, hydroid species viz.

Macrorhynchia philippina, Aglaophenia sp., Dynamena sp., Idiellana pristis, Pennaria disticha

occupies rock pool walls and boulder surfaces in infra-littoralzone. Also echinoderms like brittle

stars (Macrophiothrix aspidota), sea cucumber (Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota) and

button star fishes (Asterina lorioli) were seen commonly.

Image 10 Haminoea sp. Image 11 Decorator Crab with

orange and yellow sponges on

body

Image 12 Rostanga sp. with

Red sponge Ophlitaspongia sp.

Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops

truncatus) were commonly observed off the shore and are attraction of this tourist point.


45

Species richness at Aare-ware

Fig.10 Species richness at Aare-ware rocky shore

Molluscs dominates the area with 61 species, 14 species of algae were common and distributed

along various zones and in pools at the meso-littoral zone. 13 species of arthropods, 9 species of

each cnidarians and porifera, 13 species of arthropods were recorded. Collectively 119 species

represented this small rocky patch.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Aare-Ware

Fig.11 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Aare-Ware rocky shore


46

Twenty one species of opisthobranch were recorded of which facelinidae represented by 4

(Cratena lineata, Cratena sp. 1, Herviella yatsui, Phidiana anulifera), followed by Discodorididae

3 (Atagema sp.2, Rostanga sp.4, Sebadoris fragilis) (For details see Annexure 1)

Socio-Economic values:



Total Boats and crafts: No crafts were recorded

Indigenous way of fishing: Fishing is carried out with help of rods and hooks for crabs. Majority

coastal fishers collect oysters and few harvest for gastropods for their meat.

Threats

It is within 10 km radius impact zone of Bharati Shipyard at Mirya, Ratnagiri. As it is a popular

tourist spot, it shows pollution through solid waste such as plastic bags, bottles etc.


47

RATNAGIRI – MIRYA

Map 11 Sampling locations at Mirya rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 17.031583 73.257111

End: 17.028833 73.255861

Habitat Type:



48


Shore Type: Type I and III

The shore has wide intertidal area in the beginning which suddenly narrows down at some

patches. The rocky area is interspersed with small sandy patches with golden-white shell sand.

Shelf at the low tide mark has a sudden drop in most of the areas.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): Chaetomorpha sp. dominates both supra and meso-littoral

zones in post monsoon. Other alga such as Padina sp. and Sargassum sp. were also present.

Molluscs like Echinolittorina malacanna and Nodilittorina leucosticta are abundant. Elysia hirasei

resides at the base of the Chaetomorpha sp. either in constantly moist or in shallow rock pools

areas.

Meso-littoral Zone (Planaxis-Oyster-Zoanthus Zone): The zone is absent although oysters are

seems to present on vertical cliff and ridges in this area.

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): The infra-littoralzone shows rich

diversity but very rarely gets exposed. Wide range of faunal species were recorded. Colourful

encrusting sponges, hydroid species viz. Macrorhynchia philippina, Aglaophenia sp., Dynamena

sp., Idiellana pristis, Pennaria disticha, Companulariidae sp.1 occupies rock pool walls and

boulder surfaces in infra-littoralzone, echinoderms like brittle stars (Macrophiothrix aspidota), sea

cucumber (Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota) and Button Starfish (Asterina lorioli).

Molluscs such as Turbo brunneus, Trochus radiatus, Purpurea panama, Pyrene scripta, Pyrene

Terpsichore, Scutus unguis; opisthobranch such as Eurbachus cf. mimeticus, Cratena sp.,

Cratena lineata, Dendrodoris fumata and Jorunna sp. and bivalves like Galeomatid bivalve

(Galeomatidae), Perna viridis, Gafrarium divaricatum and are amongst commonly occurring

species.

In rock pools and in boulder field sponges occurs abundantly. Tethya sp., Cinachyrella sp. seems

to be common along the shore.

Image 13 Chaetomorpha sp.

(Green algae)

Image 14 Macrorhynchia

philippina (stinging hydroid)

Image 15 Stomopneustes

variolaris (Common Rock-boring

Sea Urchin)


49

Few species of fishes which are occasionally seen are Red-toothed Trigger Fish (Odonus niger),

butterfly fishes (Juv.), Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator), and occasionally a Nurse

shark (Nebrius ferrugineus). Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were commonly observed.

Species richness at Mirya

In all 155 species were recorded from this area. Molluscs dominated the area with 61 species

followed by 30 species of algae, 17 species of porifera and 16 species of cnidarian.

Fig. 12 Species richness at Mirya rocky shore

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mirya

Fig. 13 Distribution of Ophithobranch (family) at Mirya rocky shore


50

15 species of opisthobranch were recorded from this site. It is dominated by the Facelinadae 3

followed by the Discodorididae, Doridae with 2 species each. (For details Annexure 1)




Total Boats and craft: 5 mechanized, 3 outboard, 14 Non-motorized


coastal fishers collect oysters and gastropods for their meat.

Threats

A minor port and L&T cement jetty in the vicinity of “White sea bay” or “Mirya Bay”.


51

RATNAGIRI – MIRYA 2

Map 12 Sampling locations at Mirya – 2 rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 17.022482 73.26608

End: 17.020677,73.256982

Habitat Type:



52



Rocky shore also has profound influence of land runoff from nearby areas and thus sediment is

dominated by clay mixed in the sand. Very narrow intertidal area at beginning which widens

towards the end extending up to a kilometer. The area is continuation of the Alawa which is

separted by a small sandy shore and boulder field. The faunal and algal structure is same but the

infra-littoralzone is opening very rarely as slope is too steep.

This area shows wide range of habitats with tiny pools to lose rocks. Various types of fishes, rock

skippers, crabs and other crustaceans were observed. There is a very small beach in front of

which water is shallow and calm thus luxuriant algal growth is visible.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): Mollusca dominated the supra-littoral fauna. Molluscs like

Echinolittorina malacanna and Nodilittorina leucosticta were present in high densities. This zone

is rocky platform which rarely gets submerged and instead gets constantly sprayed by water due

to breaking of waves tooards meso and infra-littoral zone. Pools formed in between small rock

ledges showed precence of few molluscs - Cellana radiata, Smaragdinella calyculata, Elysia

hirasei and green fillamentous algae .

Meso-littoral Zone (Planaxis-Oyster-Zoanthus Zone): Planaxis sulcatus, Echinolittorina

malacanna, Nodilittorina leucosticta and Cellana radiata were present along this zone. A species

of Onchidium was recorded from the zone, inhabiting shadowed zones. This zone is represented

by oyster growth and associated fauna and flora either on loose boulders or vertical wall of the

rocky platform. Associated fauna includes the Cellana raidata, Smaragdinella calyculata,

Siphonaria sp. Rock ledges showed occasional occurrence of chitons and sea anemones. Algae

such as Chaetomorpha sp., Caulerpa peltata, Dictyota dichotomata, Bryopsis sp. was present in

low covergae.

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): The infra-littoral zone showed rich

diversity. Wide range of hydroid species viz. Macrorhynchya philippina, Aglaophenia sp.,

Dynamena sp., Idiellana pristis, Pennaria disticha, Companulariidae sp.1 occupies rock pool

walls and boulder surfaces in infra-littoral zone. Echinoderms like brittle stars (Macrophiothrix

aspidota), sea cucumber (Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota) and button star fishes

(Asterina lorioli) were common. In rock pools and in boulder fields, sponges occur abundantly.

Cinachyrella sp. seems to be common along the shore.

A fillamentous red alge Centoceros sp. grows on the rock surface in this zone. Other alga

includes Sargaassum sp. Padina sp., Dictyota sp. and Spatoglossum sp. The molluscs of family

Cypraeidae (Erosaria ocellata, Mauritia arabica), Trochidae (Trochus radiates, Astrea stellata)

were amongst commonly seen gastropods. In bivalves the Gafrarium divaricatum, Perna viridis

were commly observed. Discodoris fragilis, Dendrodoris fumata, Elysia expansa were commonly

observed opisthobranchs. A species of sea hare Aplysia occulifera was recorded from this area

for the first time on west coast from this area (Bhave and Apte, 2011). The Stalked Jelly Fish

(Lucernariopsis sp.) was recorded for the first time from this area along west coast of India.


53

Image 16 Cypraea moneta Image 17 Cinachyrella sp.

(Puff Ball Sponge)

Image 18 Anteaeodiella indica

with egg case

In opisthobranch molluscs Phidiana anulifera, Anteaeodiella indica are commonly observed and

repeatedly seen during all the surveys.

Various types of fishes, rock skippers, crabs and other crustaceans were observed. There is very

small beach in front of which water is shallow and calm thus luxuriant algal growth is visible.

Various types of sponges, bryozoans, hydroids, crabs, variety of arthropods and echinoderms

were abundantly observed.

Species richness at Mirya 2

In all 111 species were recorded from this area. Mollusca dominated with 60 species followed by

12 sp. of algae, 13 sp. of arthopods, 7 cnidarian species and 8 polychaet species.

Fig.14 Species richness at Mirya 2 rocky shore


truncatus) were commonly observed. Sea Otters Lutra perspicillata were also observed in the

bay area. Stranding of Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides phocaenoides) was

observed once.


54

Image 15 Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides phocaenoides) observed stranded

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mirya 2

3 species of Discodoridae and 2 species each of Dendrodorididae, Facelinidae, and

Plakobranchidae were the major representative of the area. (For details see Annexure-1)

Fig.15 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mirya 2 rocky shore






coastal fishers collect oysters and few hunt gastropods for their meat.

Threats

A minor port and L&T cement jetty in the vicinity of “White sea bay” or “Mirya Bay”. Some local

fishers use bleaching powder in the intertidal area for fishing which is responsible for severe

mortality of tide pool flora and fauna.


55

RATNAGIRI – ALAWA

Map 13 Sampling locations at Alawa rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 17.023611 73.273222

End: 17.023583 73.270389

Habitat Type:



56



Intertidal area is wide and dominated by boulder field. Rock pools are few and far dispersed. The

rate of siltation is more due to the runoff from the hilly terrain to nearby shore.

Biodiversity Values

The flora is dominated by species of Padina, Caulerpa and Sargassum. Fauna is represented by

many species of sponges. Turbo, trochus, oysters, octopus and other molluscs, crabs & other

arthropods are abundantly seen. Echinoderms are dominated by the presence of sea cucumbers

(Holothuria atra), sea urchins and star fishes.

In post mansoon beds of algae like Caulerpa and Padina are common in the water logged tidal

pools and infra-littoral zone.

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): Mollusca dominated the supra-littoral fauna. Molluscs like

Echinolittorina malacanna and Nodilittorina leucosticta were super abundant which are also

present in the spray zone. Shallow rock pools were occasionaly seen along the seaward edge of

this zone. Few rock pools showed groth of green fillamentous algae along with associated

sacoglossan Elysia hirasei. Few rock pool surfaces were seen encrusted with Lithothiamion spp.

In few moist patches the Onchidium species were observed in large numbers.

Meso-littoral Zone (Planaxis-Oyster-Zoanthus Zone): The fauna mostly represented by

mollusca- Planxis sulcatus, few rock pools showed luxuriant growth of algae Caulerpa peltata,

Caulerpa scalpeliformes and Caulerpa sertuloides.Saccoglossan slugs Elysia expansa were

seen among these algal species which are food of these species. The lower zone of meso-littoral

zone is dominated by the Padina spp. and Sargassum spp. which harbours invertebrate fauna

such as Obelia spp. and Sertularid hyrdoids, Pyrene terpsichore, Majjid crabs etc. Rock pools

have shown luxuriant growth of the Zoantheria (Cnidaria) and sponges.

Image 19 A Crab Image 20 Dendrodoris fumata

(Sea Slug)

Image 21 Lucernariopsis sp.

(Stalked jelly fish)

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): The zone is too narrow (1-2 m)

during average tides but during negative tides it get exposed up to 4 m. The infra-littoralzone

shows rich diversity showing presence of echinoderms like brittlr stars (Macrophiothrix aspidota),

sea cucumber (Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota) and button star fishes (Asterina lorioli).


57

A fillamentous red alge Centoceros sp. grows on rock surface in the zone. Other alga includes

Sargaassum sp. Padina sp., Dictyota sp. and Spatoglossum sp. The molluscs from family

Cypraeidae (Erosaria ocellata, Mauritia arabica); Trochidae (Trochus radiates, Astrea stellata)

were amongst commonly seen gastropods. In bivalves the Gafrarium divaricatum, Perna viridis

were commonly observed. Sebadoris fragilis, Dendrodoris fumata, Elysia expansa were

commonly observed opisthobranchs. A species of sea hare Aplysia occulifera was recorded from

this area for the first time on the west coast from this area (Bhave & Apte 2012). The Stalked

Jelly Fish (Lucernariopsis sp.) was recorded for the first time from this area along the west coast

of India. Zoobotryon along with its associate opisthobranch Okenia pellucida was the interesting

record from this area.

Species richness at Alawa, Ratnagiri

Fig. 16 Species richness at Alwa rocky shore

In all 128 species were recorded from this area. Mollusca showed precence with 57 species

followed by the 27 sp. of algae, 13 sp. of arthopods and 9 cnidarian species. Few rarely

occurring species were recorded form the area.


truncatus) were occasionally observed along the shoreline toward the open sea. Sea Otters

Lutra perspicillata were also observed in the bay area.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Alawa

Though this area is not large considerable opisthobranchs species were recorded from here. In

all 17 species were recorded; 4 species of Plakobranchidae and 3 species of Discodorididae

were recorded. Plakkobranchidae possibly dominated due to precence of Green algae (Caulerpa

peltata, Caulerpa serturaloides, Chaetomorpha sp.). Single species of Sea hare Aplysia

occulifera was recorded from this region first time in Indian waters (Bhave and Apte, 2011).


58

Fig. 17 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Alwa rocky shore






coastal fishers collect oysters and few hunt gastropods for their meat.

Threats

A minor port and L&T cement jetty in the vicinity of “White sea bay” or “Mirya Bay”. Destructive

fishing through the use of bleaching powder is seen in some intertidal area which can cause

severe mortality of tide pool flora and fauna.


59

RATNAGIRI – MANDAVI

Map 14 Sampling locations at Mandavi rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 16.986056 73.272139

End: 16.989389 73.274972

Habitat Type:



60



Site is located below the cliff of Ratnagiri bay light house. The intertidal area is rich in marine life

including opisthobranch fauna. Majority of rock pools shows presence of either mats of Zoanthus

colonies or octocoral (Carijoa sp). After about 800 meters from the shore entrance point, a rock

ledge which is rarely exposed breaks the continuety of the shore. The other side of the ledge can

be accessed from the Bhagawati Fort (Ratnadurga) area. There is another shore feature (type I)

with table formation and very less intertidal area. The area is dominated by rock pools and large

boulders.

Biodiversity Values

Rock pools biodiversity: Upper 1/4th of the rock pool shows presence of zooanthids interspersed

with patches of algae Caulerpa, hydroids and sponges. Middle portion of the rock pool is

dominated by variety of algae. Lower portion of the rock pool is however, dominated by various

sponges, hydroids, bryozoans octocorals etc.

One of the interesting bryozoans observed here was Zoobryoton sp. which is found in the areas

of the vicinity to ports worldwide suggesting ballast related introduction. This species was not

noticed in other locations except this site.

Among algae several groups such as Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, Champia, Avrainvillea,

Sargassum, Padina, Dictyota, Acanthophora etc. are commonly seen. Few species of rock pool

dwelling blennid fishes like Istiblennius dussumieri are abundantly seen here. Various other

species occasionally gets trapped in the rock pools during low tides includes Red-toothed Trigger

Fish (Odonus niger), Butterflyfishes, juvenile Nurse Sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) etc.

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): Mollusca such as Echinolittorina malacanna, Nodilittorina

leucosticta, Cellana radiata and Planaxis sulcatus dominated the supra-littoral fauna. It is then

followed by the rock table with various size of rock pools. Shallow rock pools shows luxuriant

growth of green fillamentous algae along with its associate Elysia hirasei (Gastropod:

Image 22 Nurse Shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) in the intertidal pool at Mandavi, Ratnagiri


61

Sacoglossan) in large numbers. In some rock pools florideophyceae Lithothiamion spp. was also

present.

Image 23 Purple Gorgonid

(Close up of Polyp)

Image 24 Eubranchus cf. mimeticus

Image 25 Asterina lorioli

(Button Star)

Meso-littoral Zone (Planaxis-Oyster-Zoanthus Zone): The zone was dominated by mollusca,

primarly comprising of Cellana raidata, Vermitid gastropod, Morula uva, Thais lacera and

Planaxis sulcatus although Vermitid gastropods were present in shallow rock pools towards its

mouth. The opisthobranch species are abundant in this zone due to high frequency of healthy

rock pools and also boulder fields. To mention a few are Discodoris fragilis, Dendrodoris fumata,

Anteaeolidiella indica, Elysia expansa, Phidiana millitaris, Eubranchus sp., Cratena sp. etc. The

black sponge (Ircina sp.) seems to be present in almost each rock pool which provides shelter to

juvenile brittle stars and other biota. Along with Ircinia sp. other sponge species such as

Haliclona sp., Halichondria sp., Ophlitaspongia sp., Microciona sp. Cinachyra sp., Tethya sp.,

Aplysilla sp. etc. were also present. Tiny polychaet tubes were abundant either on various algal

blades, loose boulders or on the wall of rock pools.

Algae flora was represented by Chlorophyceae (Chaetomorpha sp., Ulva sp.), Phaeophyceae

(Colpomania sp., Padina sp. and Sargassum sp.) and Florideophyceae (Acanthophora specifera,

Rhodymenia sp., Amphiroa fragilissima, Amphiroa cf. anceps, Centoceros spp., Cheliosporum

specatabile, Gelidium cf micropterum, Gracilaria sp., Hypnea sp., Lithothiamion spp).

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): During negative tides large

number of species can be observed which otherwise remain submerged. The molluscs from

family Trochidae & Turbinidae dominated the area with Trochus radiatus, Euchelus asper, Astrea

semicostata, Astrea stellata , Clanculus depictus, Turbo brunneus, Erosaria ocellata, Mauritia

arabica etc. Along with these molluscs few other such as Thais bufo, Purpurea panama, Pyrene

scripta, Pyrene terpsichore, Vermitid and bivaleve such as Gafrarium divaricatum, Galeomatid

bivalve and few oysters were also pressent. Cnidarian represented with Poriites sp., Carijoa sp.,

(Coral); Hydrozoa with Macrorhynchya philippina, Aglaophenia sp., Dynamena sp., Dynamena

cf pumila, Dynamena cf quadridentata, Idiellana pristis, Pennaria disticha.

Algae were represented with Chlorophyceae (Caulerpa peltata, Caulerpa sertularioides,

Chaetomorpha sp. and Ulva sp.); Phaeophyceae (Sargassum spp. Padina sp., Dictyota sp.) and

Florideophyceae (Amphiroa fragilissima, Amphiroa cf. anceps Acanthophora specifera,

Centoceros sp., Cheliosporum specatabile, Gelidium micropterum, Gracilaria sp., Hypnea sp.,

Lithothiamion spp.)


62

Species richness at Mandavi, Ratnagiri

Fig. 18 Species richness at Mandavi rocky shore

In all 201 marine invertebrate species were recorded. Mollusca led with 104 species followed by

the 32 sp of alage, 16 sp of Cnidaria and 13 sp of arthropods.


truncatus) were observed along the shoreline toward the open sea. Nurse Sharks were observed

in the tidal pools occassionally.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mandavi

Fig.19 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Mandavi rocky shore

The site is the richest in terms of opisthobranch diversity across all sites (Index 1). It is

represented with 22 families of which Discodorididae (9 species), Facelinidae (7 species),

Goniodorididae (7 species), Plakobranchidae (6 species) are species rich families. Total of 62

species out of 69 species of opisthobranchs were recorded from this site.


63





Indigenous fishing: Fishing is carried out with help of rods and hooks for crabs. Majority coastal

fishers collect oysters and gastropods for their meat.

Threats

Finolex thermal power plant and jetty is the major threat to the site. The existing thermal power

plant has now proposed for an expansion of capacity which will further aggravate the problems.

A minor port, Bhagwati bunder is nearby this area. L&T cement jetty is in the vicinity of the site.

Mirkarwada a biggest fish landing center in Ratnagiri talukas is nearby this site.

Few groups of fishers use bleaching powder to fish in the intertidal pools. This is a serious issue

for inter tidal flora and fauna.

Possible degradation of sandy beach and rocky shore due to discharge of putrefying water from

cold storage units on the near shore areas is possible.


64

RATNAGIRI – PURNAGAD

Map 15 Sampling locations at Purnagad rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 16.807722 73.310472

End: 16.812167 73.2995

Habitat Type:



65



Intertidal are is narrower in most of the places except a few. The substrate is dominated by

volcanic rocks and large laterite rocks along with natural platform with sudden vertical drop at the

low tide mark.

Biodiversity Values

Marine algae like Acanthophora, Padina, Dyctiota and Sargassum and in some pools Caulerpa

racemosa are common in post-monsoon. Some species of sponges, hydroids, polychaets

(mostly sabellids and fireworms) were recorded. Molluscan fauna is dominated by littorinids,

oysters, patellids, Trochus, Turbo few species of conus etc. Few rock pools showed presence of

solitary octocoral species beneath rocks. Few fish species includes Honeycomb Moray Eel

(Gymnothorax favagineus), few species of gobids, Surge Demoiselle (Chrysiptera leucopoma),

Indo-Pacific Sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis), Red-toothed Trigger Fish (Odonus niger).

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): Mollusca dominated the supra-littoral fauna with species

like Echinolittorina malacanna; Nodilittorina leucosticta, Cellana radiata and oysters. Annelida

was represented with various encrusting-tube building polychaets and arthropods with barnacles

(Chthamalus spp).

The chlorophyceae members like Chaetomorpha sp and Caulerpa spp. showed more coverage

than florideophyceae (Lithothiamion spp).


primarly comprising of Cellana raidata, Vermitid gastropod, Morula uva, Thais lacera and

Planaxis sulcatus although Vermitid gastropods were present in either on wave swept rocky

shore or in shallow rock pools. Oysters were present in higher density towards upper meso-

littoral zone in boulder fields along with braychuran crabs and hermit crabs. Shrimps were seen

in small pools with algae. Cnidaria dominated with Bunodosoma cf goanense and other

anemones. Sertularid Hydroids dominated all micro habitats along the shore and the Pennaria

disticha dominated the rock pools areas. Annelida (polychaet tubes) showed presence in

between the boulders.

Chlorophyceae coverage (Ulva sp., Chaetomorpha sp.) was more than that of Phaeophyceae

(Padina sp. and Sargassum sp.) and Florideophyceae (Acanthophora specifera, Amphiroa

fragilissima, Amphiroa cf. anceps, Centoceros spp., Cheliosporum specatabile, Gelidium cf

micropterum, Gracilaria sp., Hypnea sp., Lithothiamion spp.)

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): During negative tides most of the

infra-littoral flora and fauna gets exposed. The molluscs of family Trochidae, Turbinidae

dominated this area with Trochus radiatus, Euchelus asper, Astrea semicostata, Astrea stellata ,

Clanculus depictus, Turbo brunneus etc. along with these molluscs few other such as Mitra

scutulata, Thais bufo, Purpurea panama, Pyrene scripta, Pyrene terpsichore, Vermitid and

bivaleve such as Gafrarium divaricatum many encrusting sponges and few oysters. In this area

large barnacles (Semibalanus spp. or Balanus spp.) were present.


66


Chaetomorpha sp. and Ulva sp.), Phaeophyceae (Sargassum spp., Padina sp., Dictyota sp.) and

Florideophyceae (Amphiroa fragilissima, Amphiroa cf. anceps, Acanthophora specifera,


Lithothiamion spp.)

Species richness at Purnagad

Fig. 20 Species richness at Purnagad rocky shore

In all 116 species of marine invertebrates were recorded during current study. Molluscan fauna

leads with 56 species followed by the algae and arthropods. Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback

Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were occasionally

observed along the shoreline of the purnagad, in pod of 12-30.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Purnagad

Fig. 21 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Purnagad rocky shore

Total opisthobranchs species present were 16 and the dominating faimilies were Discodorididae

(3 species) and Facelinidae (3 species). Sebadoris fragilis, Jorunna sp. Tayuva cf lilacina,

Phidiana militaris, Phidiana anulifera and Cratena sp. 1 were seen commonly. One of the rare

opisthobranch Goniobranchus naiki was re-recorded from the site.


67


Total Human Population: 2313


Total Boats and crafts: Wodden: 10; Fiber: 12 out board engine

Mechanized: 18, outboard: 1, Non-motorized:60

Indigenous fishing: Fishing is carried out with help of rods and hooks for crabs. Collection of

oysters, clams and gastropods for their meat is common.

Threats

Purnagad is a minor port. The site is within the 10 km radius impact zone of Finolex industry and

Finolex thermal power plant.


68

RAJAPUR – KASHELI

Map 16 Sampling locations at Kasheli rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 16.742944 73.306139

End: 16.734222 73.306444

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Rockyshore


69


Shore Type: Type I and Type III.

This rocky shore is a part of 300 m high ridges/outcrops of the shore ridge and possesses variety

of substrates like rock pools and deep rocky furrows formed due to wave actions. Intertidal area

is 20-30 m wide on an average.

Entire coastline of Kasheli is table formation with a steep slope at infra-littoral zone. Supra-littoral

zone and meso-littoral zone seems to get exposed during ow tides on daily basis, due to the very

gradual slope. The surf action is very strong in monsoon months than other months due to which

the duration of exposure at infra-littoral zone was short.

Biodiversity Values

In pre-monsoon, Florideophyceae dominated the algal groups at meso and infra-littoral zones.

Supra-littoral and meso-littoral zone was dominated by barnacles (Chthamalus sp.) followed by

molluscs (Littorinids) like oysters and Cellana radiata. Infra-littoral Zone as usual showed great

diversity, however, polychaet tubes and oysters remined dominant here as well.

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): Mollusca such as Echinolittorina malacanna; Nodilittorina

leucosticta, Cellana radiata and oysters dominated the supra-littoral fauna. Annelida was

represented with various encrusting-tube building polychaets, arthropods with barnacles -

Chthamalus spp.

The chlorophyceae members such as Chaetomorpha sp. and Caulerpa spp. showed more

coverage than florideophyceae (Lithothiamion spp).


primarly comprising of Cellana raidata, vermitid gastropod, Morula uva, Thais lacera and

Planaxis sulcatus. Arthropods showed there precence with Chthamalus sp., braychuran crabs,

hermit crabs and shrimps. Cnidaria dominated with Bunodosoma cf goanense and other

anemones. Sertularid hydroids dominated all micro habitats along with Pennaria disticha in rock

pools. Annelida (polychaet tubes) also showed higher coverage. Thinly encrusting and boring

sponges were observed more in this zone.

Chlorophyceae coverage (Ulva sp., & Chaetomorpha sp.) was more than that Phaeophyceae

(Padina sp. & Sargassum sp.) and Florideophyceae showed increase in coveragae with 8 algal

species (Acanthophora specifera, Amphiroa fragilissima, Amphiroa cf. anceps, Centoceros spp.,

Cheliosporum specatabile, Gelidium cf micropterum, Gracilaria sp., Hypnea sp., Lithothiamion

spp.) during the pre-monsoon towards the border area of mid and infra-littoral zone.

Cheliosporum specatabile and Lithothiamion spp. seems to be most common one in terms of

occurrence.

Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): Fauna showed arthopod

Chthamalus sp. in high density while other arthopods representatives such as crabs, hermit

crabs, paleomonid shrimps were occasionaly present. Mollusca is represented with 10 species

viz. Gyrinium natator, Cellana radiata, Engina zea, Nodilittorina leucosticta, Anachis terpsichore,

Siphonaria sp, Purpura persica, Morula uva, Cellana radiata, Gyrinium natator, Purpura persica,


70

Mauritia arabica, Anachis terpsichore, vermitidae and oyster Crassostrea sp. were dominating

species. Echinoderm (brittle star Macrophiothrix aspidota). Cnidarians like hydroid (Sertularidae,

Aglaophenia sp., Macrorhynchia sp. Ectopleura sp. Obelia sp.), Zoantherian (Palythoa spp.);

sponges (Spirastrella sp., Mycale sp., Haliclona sp., Halichondria sp., Cliona sp.) were present

along the infra-littoral zone mostly in rock pools.


Chaetomorpha sp. and Ulva sp.); Phaeophyceae (Sargassum spp. Padina sp., Dictyota sp.) and

Florideophyceae (Amphiroa fragilissima, Amphiroa cf. anceps, Acanthophora specifera,


Lithothiamion spp.).

Species richness at Kasheli

Fig. 22 Species richness at Kasheli rocky shore

In all 195 species were present; Mollusca dominated with 79 species, followed by 22, 18, 16 and

11 species of arthropods, porifera, cnidaria and polychaeta respectively. 8 species of

Echinoderms were recorded. 34 species of alage were also present along the shore.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Kasheli

Fig. 23 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Kasheli rocky shore


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The total opisthobranch speciesrecorded from site were 26 species. Facelinidae and

Plakobranchidae showed 5 species each. The Aeolid species from family Aeolididae called

Baeolidia palythoae which feeds and resides amongst the Palythoa sp. and allied Zoantherians

was also observed in large numbers.



Fishers Population: Fisherfolk population 38

Total Boats and crafts: 4 non-motorized However, locals use hand nets for catching fish for

household consumption.

Indigenous fishing: Fishing is carried out with help of rods and hooks for crabs and collection of

oysters, clams and gastropods for their meat. Also hook and line operated from shore for fishing.

Threats

The site is relatively free of disturbances with good quality habitat. There is a possible threat to

this site due to proposed mega-shipyard project at Vetye which is just a few kilometres away.


72

RAJAPUR – AMBOLGAD

Map 17 Sampling locations at Ambolgad rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 16.476222 73.322056

End: 16.648139 73.325222

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Rockyshore


73


Shore Type: Type I and Type III.

Inter tidal area is of varying width. The area has numerous rock pools. The tidal surge was strong

during the monsoon visits, due to which the duration of exposure of infra-littoral zone was short.

Adding up to this was the steep slope at infra-littoral zone which limited the sampling efforts.

Rock pools shows typical structure of life as upper part dominated by sun loving creatures and

plant and bottom with shade loving creatures and red algae.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral Zone (Littorinid zone): This zone was dominated by mollusca with the two

Littorinid species (viz. Echinolittorina malacanna & Nodilittorinna leucosticta) forming bulk of it.

However, their number gets reduced in pre monsoon and being dominated with tiny barnacles

(Cthalamus sp.). On rock platforms and in shallow pools the Chlorophyceae which were present

in post monsoon were rarely present in pre monsoon and was replaced to some extent by the

Florideophyceae alongwith encrusting pink algae (cf. Lithothiamion spp.). Annelids (Polychaet

tubes) were absent during post-mansoon but seen in large numbers in pre-mansoon.

Other representative such as sea anemones (Bunodosoma cf goanense) and zoantherians were

occasionally seen in the rock pools in this zone.

Meso-Littoral Zone (Planaxis-Oyster-Zoanthus Zone): This zone seems to be dominated by

mollusc whose abundance has gone up considerably from post-monsoon to that in pre-monsoon

which includes increase in species richness from 10 to 14 species in pre-monsoon. Littorinidae

(Echinolittorina malacanna) played important role in the density rise. Dead oysters were seen

abundantly as these are regularly harvested by the local communities. These dead oyster shells

are utilized by Clypidina notata, Cellana radiata and Siphonaria sp. which were observed in

moderate densities. Coral species such as Porites lutea and Porites sp. were observed in greater

coverage. Also many of the shallow rock pools were inhabited by sponges such as Tethya

citrina, Cinachyra sp, Ircinia sp, Cliona sp. and shade loving Geodia sp. In deep rock pools

massive globose Haliclona sp. and Halichondria sp. and rock boring Cliona sp. and thin

encrusting sponges were seen.

Opisthobranch species Smaragdinella calyculata, Haminoea sp. and Elysia hirase were

occasionally observed. Sea Hare, Stylocheilus longicauda was recorded in large numbers

forming breeding congragations. It is the first record of this species from Maharashtra.

Image 26 Stylocheilus longicauda in the rock pool at Ambolgad


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Infra-littoral Zone (Trochid-Balanaus-Brown/Red alga zone): This zone had higher diversity with

representation of almost every phylum. The cnidarian density (sea anemone and Hydroids) was

higher in the area along with molluscs by members of family Trochidae (Trochus radiates,

Clanculus ceylanicus), Pattelidae (Cellana radiata) and Turbinidae (Turbo brunneus). There was

a sudden increase in arthropods from post-monsoon mostly because of growth of barnacles

(Chthamalus spp., Megabalanus spp.). Echinoderms were scarcely seen, less abundantly in pre-

monsoon as compared to post-monsoon.

In algae Florideophyceae (Lithothiomion spp. and Amphiroa sp) dominated with more coverage

in pre mansoon than post-monsoon months. The Phaeophyceae comprising of Sargassum spp.,

Dictyota spp., Padina spp., and Chaetomorpha spp., Ulva spp., Green algal mat, Caulerpa

peltata representing Chlorophyceae showed slight change in community structure from post-

monsoon to pre-monsoon.

Species richness at Ambolgad

Fig. 24 Species richness at Ambolgad rocky shore

Total 206 species were recorded in this preliminary study. Algae showed 32 species. Phylum

Mollusca is richest group in terms of species with 91 species followed by 21 species

arthropods.19 and 18 species of porifera and cnidaria respectively.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Ambolgad

The site is Index 2 due to presence of 37 species of opisthobranchs. Notable species includes -

Sea hare Stylocheilus longicauda was recorded for the first time from the Maharashtra,

Embletonia gracile was recorded from the area which is new record for the India and a new

species of genera Onchidoris was recorded from the site.


75

Fig. 25 Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Ambolgad rocky shore

Five species of Discodorididae and 4 species from each Facelinidae, Haminoeidae and

Plakobranchidae dominated the opisthobranch composition of the area.




Total boats and crafts: Wooden: 14; Fiber: 1 Mechanized 1, Non mechanized 38

Indigenous fishing: Fishing in the inter-tidal areas is carried out with the help of rods and hooks

for crabs. Majority coastal fishers collect oysters for their meat. Hook and lines are also used for

the fishing. Gafrarium divaricatum is harvested from the dried rock pools along this area at low

tide time.

Threats

Ambolgad is within 10 km radius of the proposed nuclear power plant at Madban. The hot water

discharge from the plant will alter temperature regimes there by affecting coastal ecology.

Ambolgad is among the most pristine marine habitats in Konkan.

Large fishing village ‘Musakazi’ has a fishing jetty and numerous boats use purse scene in

shallow waters within one km radius of Ambolgad shore. Oil and fuel from washing and cleaning

of these boats can sometime be seen along the shore. A proposed shipyard by Bharati

Enterprise is coming up in avillage called Vetye which lies between Ambolgad and Kasheli. This

shipyard will directly affect Ambolgad and Kasheli.


76

VIJ-1 (NEAR VIJAYDURGA FORT)

Map 18 Sampling locations at Vij – 1 rocky shore

Site Profile:

District: Sindhudurga

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 16.558113, 73.329581

End: 16.554007, 73.324603

Habitat Type:



77

Substrate/ habitat description

Shore Type: Type I

The area has large 1-3 m tall boulders and rough surf zone. When exposed at low tide, width of

the shore is around 30 m which is primarily due to steep shore gradient. Due to very severe surf

action and the risks involved while sampling, only qualitatively data was collected.

Image 27 Oyster bed Image 28 Platevindex cf.

coriaceus on wooden log

Image 29 Metropograpsus sp.

Biodiversity Values

Supra-littoral Zone: This zone was dominated with littorinid molluscs (Echinolittorina

malaccana, Nodilittorina leucosticta) and oysters (Ostrea sp.) in some patches.

Meso-littoral Zone: The zone is very narrow but in beginning of shore where there is boulder

field Onchidid (Plativindex cf. coriaceous), Drupa sp. Planaxis sulcatus, Thais sp., Nerita

(Argonerita) oryzarum were observed.

Infra-littoral Zone: This area is not accessible in most of the moderate tides but .This zone with

high surf action was dominated by crabs such as Grapsus cf albolineatus and Metropograpsus

sp. and polychaet tubes (Sabellidae) made up of sand-gravel. Rocky surface was seen

dominated by oysters and in crevices. Undersides of the boulders were used by the member of

family Trochidae, Neretidae, Turbo bruneus, porcelain crabs (Petrolisthes cf. boscii). Hydroids

(Obelia sp., and various species from Sertularidae), and sponge (orange encrusting) was

observed. Hydroid associated sea slug Phidiana millitaris was observed commonly.


78

Species richness at Vij-1

Fig. 26 Species richness at Vij – 1 rocky shore

Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) were commonly seen from the

shore. In all 77 species were recorded from this area. Molluscs were represented with 32 species

followed by 13 species of arthropods.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Vij-1

Only single species of opisthobranch from family Haminoeidae was recorded from the site.

Smaragdinella calyculata resides the emply barnacles, oysters and even polychaet tubes.

Fig. 27 Distribution of Ophisthobranch at Vij – 1 rocky shore


79


Total Human Population: Data not collected

Fishers Population: Data not collected

Total Boats and crafts: Data not collected

Indigenous fishing: Fishing in the inter-tidal areas is carried out with the help of rods and hooks

for crabs. Majority coastal fishers collect oysters for their meat. Hook and lines also used for the

fishing in the area with a hook tied on the one end of line and another to the flexible bamoo stick.

Conservation Status

The site is not under any legal protection regimes.

Threats

The site comes within 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban.

The site also comes under new port proposed: Vijaydurg Port (Developer: Vijaydurg Ports Pvt.

Ltd.)


80

VIJ-3 (NEAR GIRYE)

Map 19 Sampling locations at Vij – 3 rocky shore

Site Profile

District: Sindhudurga

GPS Coordinates:

Start: 16.512801, 73.316032

End: 16.516064, 73.321614

Habitat Type



81

Substrate/ habitat description

Type I and III

Intertidal area is of varying width (20 to 50m). Towards the west and at the tip of the shore, the

area has few rock pools. The tidal zone near sandy shore (transect 1) is wider (50 m) which gets

narrowed down up to 20 m towards the open sea at southwest end. Three transects were laid at

this site. As for the other area, due to steep shore gradient, substrate exposure during low tide

was negligible making the field collections redundant.

The area extends towards the sea at southwest tip, while the western shore has heavy surf

action. The barnacle growth is abundant in this area. On the contrary, the south east shore does

not show any such growth. Rock pools are present towards the south-west tip.

Image 30 Pinctada margaritifera

(Pearl Oyster)

Image 31 Epibiosis: Sertularid

Hydroid on the mussel

Image 32 Conus sp. in meso-

littoral zone

Biodiversity Value

Supra-littoral Zone: The zone is dominated by the Littorinids and Planaxis sulcatus. The area is

having large boulders towards the south-west tip thus typical rocky shore species were seen

such as (Echinolittorina malaccana, Nodilittorina leucosticta, Planaxis sulcatus, Cerithium

morus).

Meso-littoral zone: The zone is dominated by Planaxis sulcatus. The area also showed

presence of Alpheid shrimps on the moist underside of rocks. The rocks in the intertidal pools

and ditches showed encrusting pink algae on upper surface while as lower sides were dominated

by hydroids and bryozoan. Oysters were recorded on the rocks and boulders but were not

abundant as compared to Kasheli or Ambolgad. The crevices and gaps between rocks can be

seen occupied with Planaxids, Patellids and Siphonarian.

Infra-littoral zone: The zone was represented by Trochus radiatus, Turbo brunneus and, Astrea

stellata. Being close to infra littoral zone, sargassum was abundantly seen with canopy height of

about 1m. The green filamentous algae cover entire substrate. Shallow ditches showed presence

of various algae (Padina, Grassilaria sp., Chaetomorpha sp.) Few rock pools were dominated by

Padina sp. and few other red algae (Lithotiamion sp., Gelidium sp., Grassilaria sp). Corals were


82

seen in larger patches in the rockpools. The barnacle zone at the shore tip was showing

abundant growth of the Chaetomorpha sp.

Species richness at Vij-3

Fig. 28 Species Richness at Vij – 3 rocky shore

Pods of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) were commonly seen from the

shore. In all 108 species were recorded and almost half of these species were represented by

molluscs (48 species). The remaining species composed of Algae, arthropods cnidaria and

polychaets with 15, 14, 10 and 11 ospecies of each respectively.

Distribution of Opisthobranch (family) at Vij-3

This site was represented with 3 species of opisthobranchs from the 3 families. Hallaxa cf.

fuscescens (Actinocyclidae), Dendrodoris fumata (Dendrodorididae), Smaragdinella calyculata

(Haminoeidae).

Fig. 29 Distribution of Ophisthobranch at Vij – 3 rocky shore


83


Total Human Population: Data not collected

Fishers Population: 558 (Girye)

Total Boats and crafts: 27 non-motorized

Any special indigenous way of fishing: Fishing in the inter-tidal areas is carried out with the help

of rods and hooks for crabs. Majority coastal fishers collect oysters for their meat. Hook and lines

also used for the fishing in the area with a hook tied on the one end of line another to the flexible

bamoo stick.

Threats

The site comes within 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban.

The site also comes under new port proposed: Vijaydurg Port (Developer: Vijaydurg Ports Pvt.

Ltd.)


84

SITE DESCRIPTION: SANDY SHORE


85

RAJAPUR-ANSURE

Map 20 Sampling locations at Ansure sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates: (Map 1)

Start: 16.564330, 73.352369

End: 16.555014, 73.357017

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Sandy shore


86


Shore Type: Dissipative

The shore is broad. The intertidal area is approximately 300 m wide. The sand was fine and color

was blackish brown. Sand grains were compact thus the water retention capacity is very high.

Sand flat present at the low tide level called as low tide terrace and it was quite long. The shore

has sand dune formations at mid water level. There were many crab burrows on sand dunes.

Wave action was of low energy and the surf zone was smaller.

Biodiversity Values

Soldier Crabs were abundant. Ghost crabs were also observed. Gastropods like Nassarius

pullus, Nassarius stolatus, Nassarius distortus, Babylonia spirata, Turitella duplicate were

observed and various gastropods shells with hermit crabs in abundance. Solen sp. was also

found. Polychaete tubes were also observed. Birds like Sand Plovers were observed on the

shore during winter season.


Total Human Population: Data not available.

Fishers Population: 513(Pangerwadi).

Total Boats and crafts: 8 mechanized, 53 non-motorized.

Indigenous fishing: Hooks and cast nets are used.

Threats

The site is within 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban.


87

RAJAPUR-MADBAN

Map 21 Sampling locations at Madban sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.579961, 73.340644

End: 16.576217, 73.345134

Habitat Type:



88


Shore Type: Intermediate

The shore is about 1km in length. Intertidal area is approximately 150-160m wide. Sand flat was

present at meso-littoral zone. The sand grain size was medium coarse. The sand color was white

at supra littoral zone and grayish at infra littoral zone. The surf zone was not wide. Small rocky

patch was present at supra littoral zone.

Biodiversity Values

Fauna at Madban includes mole crabs, soldier crabs, ghost crabs and hermit crabs. Donax sp.,

Turitella sp. were observed. Polychaetes were also seen. Sea turtle nesting has been reported

on few occassions.

The shore has dense vegetation of Casaurina sp. and other plants which provide habitat for

birds. Plants like Calophyllum inophyllum (Undi) were observed. These trees help in shoreline

protection.



Fishers Population: Data not available.

Total Boats and crafts: Data not available.

Indigenous fishing: Data not available.

Threats

The site is within 1 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban, Jaitapur:


89

RAJAPUR-JAITAPUR

Map 22 Sampling locations at Jaitapur sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.621382, 73.352284

End: 16.610749, 73.351281

Habitat Type:



90



It is the broadest sandy beach in a study area with 1.23km long and around 300m wide intertidal

region. Surf area is about 100m wide. Sand color was brown at high tide regions and it turned

black at mid to low tide water region with medium grain size (< 0.50 mm) having greater porosity

and permeability and fine sand (0.125-0.50mm) at high tide levels. Sand mostly consists of dead

shells and fine particles. The beach is situated near the Nate creek opening. The creek serves as

the way to the fishing port at the Sakhari Nate and Musakazi. Dense vegetation was observed

near the shore above the high tide line. Sand dunes were observed at the meso-littoral zone.

The shore is about 1km in length. Intertidal area is approximately 150-160m wide. Sand flat was

present at meso-littoral zone. The sand grain size was medium coarse. The sand color was white

at supra-littoral zone and grayish at infra-littoral zone. The surf zone was not wide. Small rocky

patch was present at supra-littoral zone.

Biodiversity Values

Ghost crabs, soldier crabs and Dotilla sp. were observed in majority at meso-littoral zone. Hermit

crabs were also seen. Bivalves and other gastropods were also present. Donax sp. and

Umbonium vestiarium, Turitella sp.and Sercula javana were found on shore. Babylonia spirata

specifically found at infra-littoral zone of the shore. Sea turtle nesting is reported from the site.

Sand dune vegetation was present. Some plants like Casaurina sp. were also observed.

Image 33 Crab hole Image 34 Ghost crab Image 35 Hermit Crab



Fishers Population: 318.



Threats

The site is within 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban.


91

RAJAPUR-AMBOLGAD

Map 23 Sampling locations at Ambolgad sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.384613, 73.193925

End: 16.390922, 73.195928

Habitat Type:



92



The longest sandy shore at the study area is Ambolgad to Vetye which is about 5km in length.

We have divided this site into three parts for the convenience of sampling namely Ambolgad,

Tiware and Vetye. Sandy shore of Ambolgad is almost 1Km in length and having average of 80-

90m wide intertidal area. Sand is medium fine, gray colored. Wave action is not much strong.

Biodiversity Values

Mole crabs and ghost crabs are the important fauna of the shore. Gastropod like Janthina

globosa, Oliva nebulosa were found. During monsoon tides Portuguese Man-O-War (Physalia

physalis) were observed. Mysids were observed on the shore at infra-littoral zone. Juvenile fish

Theropon theraps were abundant. Rocky outcrop had fauna like hydroids, algae and some

gastropods. Polychaete tubes were observed attached to the rocky outcrops.

The shore has dense vegetation of Casuarina sp. which provides habitat for some birds.

Calophyllum inophyllum (Undi) was observed on the coast. Some flowering plants like Ipomoea

sp. were seen.

Image 36 Vegetation along shore Image 37 Physalia physalis Image 38 Crab hole




Total Boats and crafts:1 mechanized, 38 non-motorized,


Threats

The site is within 10km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban.


93

RAJAPUR-TIWARE

Map 24 Sampling locations at Tiware sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.663364, 73.331950

End: 16.403316, 73.194795

Habitat Type:



94



The shore is about km in length. Sand dune formation was observed with very less vegetation.

Intertidal area is approximately 100 m wide. Wave action was of medium energy. Sand grains

were medium coarse made up of shell sand. The color of sand was pale white to gray.

Biodiversity Values

Donax sp. & Oliva nebulosa has been observed on a sandy patch. Some ghost crabs and mole

crabs were also present in large numbers. Star fish Astropecten indicus was also found

occassionally. Rocky patch showed large number of Thias bufo, Littorina sp. Polychaete tubes

were observed attached to the rocky outcrops.

Jackals were seen frequenting these sandy shores in search of food like crabs, fish etc.

Image 39 Donax sp Image 40 Littoraria scabra Image 41 Thias bufo





Indigenous fishing: No any special way.

Threats

The site is located within 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban.


95

RAJAPUR-VETYE

Map 25 Sampling locations at Vetye sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.688981, 73.328690

Habitat Type:



96

End: 16.403316, 73.194795



The shore is about 1.5km in length. Intertidal area is approximately 100-250m wide. This is the

broadest intertidal zone among the study sites. Wave action was moderate. Sand grains were

coarse made up of shell sand. The color of sand was gray. Creeklet is present at the starting

point of the shore. Sand dune formation was observed with little or no vegetation.

Biodiversity Values

The site is good for many species sand dwelling molluscs such as Oliva nebulosa, Turitella sp.,

Dosinia sp. Donax sp., Sunetta sp.and Siliqua radiata. Crustaceans were abundant on the shore

such as ghost crabs (Ocypodidae), mole crabs and soldier crabs. On rocky patch few gastropods

and sand polychaete tubes were observed.

Dune vegetation has flowering plants like Ipomoea sp. along with Casuarina sp.

Image 42 Jackal at Vetye Image 43 Ghost crab Image 44 Polychaete tubes





Indigenous fishing: Gill net and hooks.

Threats

The site is within 10 km radius of the proposed nuclear power plant at Madban. Sand mining by

local people for domastic use is the possible threat to the shore erosion. No commercial sand

mining was seen.


97

RATNAGIRI-GAOKHADI

Map 26 Sampling locations at Gaokhadi sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.473827, 73.190032

End: 16.482404, 73.190685

Habitat Type:



98



The shore is about 1.5km in length. The intertidal area was approximately 30-150m wide. Wave

action is moderate. Shore is situated at the opening of Purnagad creek. Rocky shore is present

at the end point of the shore. Sand color is gray to black. Sand grain size is fine.

Biodiversity Values

Molluscs such as bivalves and gastropods were abundant on the shore. Some crustacean fauna

like ghost crabs were also observed. The site is not assessed thoroughly.

Dense sand dune vegetation was seen. Plants like Ipomoea sp. and Calophyllum inophyllum

(Undi) were observed. Trees of Casuarina sp. were present covering almost entire shoreline.






Threats

Developing tourism is considerable threat to the shore pollution.


99

RATNAGIRI- BHATYE

Map 27 Sampling locations at Bhatye sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.575301, 73.173760

End: 16.585689, 73.174158

Habitat Type:



100



The shore is about 2km long and intertidal area is 100-200m broad. The shore is situated at the

mouth of Bhatye estuary. The beach is sheltered type. The sand is medium coarse and

somewhere fine. Shell sand also present at some zone. Sand color is gray to black. Wave action

is of medium energy.

Biodiversity Values

Gastropods like Umbonium vestiarium, Oliva nebulosa, Nassa ornatus, Nassa pictus, Turitella

duplicata, were abundant. Bivalves like Paphia textile, Donax faba, Dosinia prostata, Sunetta

donacina and Solen sp. were present. Crustaceans like Matuta lunaris, ghost crabs and hermit

crabs were abundant on the shore. Starfish Astropecten indicus was also observed in few

occassions. Hydrozoans like Porpita porpita and Physalia physalis were seen seasonally. Mysids

were also abundant.

Sand dune vegetation is less. Casuarina equisetifolia along the shore line which provide shelter

for many species like kites and bats. Many other shore birds like plovers and sand pipers were

seen.




Total Boats and crafts: 33 mechanized, 78 Non-mechanized


Conservation Status

Plantation of Causerina sp. was carried out for shore protection. This has affected possible sea

turtle nesting sites.

Threats

Developing tourism is considerable threat to the shore.


101

RATNAGIRI- KALABADEVI-AARE

Map 28 Sampling locations at Kalbadevi- Aare sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 17.021235, 73.164153

End: 17.043894, 73.172566

Habitat Type:



102



The shore runs parallel to two villages namely Kalbadevi and Aare. The shore length is almost

5km. Intertidal area is about 100-250m broad. Total area of the coast is 0.82km2. Kalbadevi

estuary and Are creek present along both the sides of the beach. Sand color is brown to gray.

Biodiversity Values

Molluscs like bivalves and gastropods were abundant represented by Umbonium vestiarium, and

Donax sp. Star fish Astropecten indicus was seen commonly. Crustaceans were also observed in

large numbers. Macrobenthic fauna contains amphiods, isopods, nemertins, oligochetes etc.

Polychaetes were also observed. Hermit crabs were also abundant on the shore.

Dense vegetation of Casuarina sp. is present along the shore. Healthy sand dune vegetation was

observed. Sea gulls and sand plovers were seen seasonally in large flocks.

Image 45 Sea Snake Image 46 Porpita porpita Image 47 Goose barnacles




Total Boats and crafts: 35 mechanized, 4 outboard, 32 non-motorized.


Threats

The shore is becoming a tourist hotspot which may cause ecological disturbance along the

shore. Pollution from shipyard present nearby is the potential threat.


103

RATNAGIRI- GANAPATIPULE

Map 29 Sampling locations at Ganapatipule sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 17.021235, 73.164153

End: 17.043894, 73.172566

Habitat Type:



104



The coast is wide and shows both characters of dissipative and reflective type. The shore is

approximately 3km long. The intertidal area is 60-100m broad. Sand is brown to gray in color.

The sand is loose and medium coarse.

Biodiversity Values

Molluscan fauna like Oliva oliva, Turitella duplicata, Turris javana, Turris amicta is present on the

shore. Seasonal appearance of Hydrozoans like Physalia physalis and Porpita porpita were

recorded. Crustaceans like ghost crabs and hermit crabs were seen. Star fish Astropecten

indicus were common on the beach.

Vegetation of Casuarina sp. is dense on the coast. Planted coconut trees were also present.

Sand dune vegetation was also good. Shore birds were present in large flocks. Sea turtle nesting

was also found.

Image 48 Epitonium sp. Image 49 Turritella sp.


Total Human Population: No data recorded.

Fishers Population: No data recorded.

Total Boats and crafts: No data recorded.

Indigenous fishing: No data recorded

Threats

The shore is hot spot for tourism because of presence of Holy Ganapati temple. Hence

development of resorts and resulting pollution is the major threat to the sandy shore.


105

SINDHUDURG- VIJ-1

Map 30 Sampling locations at Vij – 1 sandy shore

Site Profile:

District: Sindhudurg


Start: 16.558455, 73.333476

End: 16.556272, 73.331748

Habitat Type:



106



The sandy beach is near the Vijaydurga fort. Shore length is 0.50km.The intertidal area was

wide. Wave action was strong. The surf zone was much larger and it was about 125m long. Sand

was fine and color of sand was dark grayish. The sand grains were compact. Rocky beach is

flanking on one side of the shore making the diverse habitat on the shore. Sand dune formation

was observed.

Biodiversity Values

Mollusc like Oliva nebulosa, Oliva olive, Paphia textile and Donax faba were found. Sea star

Astropecten indicus observed. Mole crabs and Matuta lunaris were observed in large numbers at

infra-littoral zone.

Sand dune vegetation was also good. Small flowering plants were observed. Few coconut trees

were also present along shore line.

Image 50 Astropecten indicus Image 51 Oliva nebulos Image 52 Mole crab




Total Boats and crafts: 11 mechanized, 1 outboard.


Threats

Fort Vijaydurga is a tourist spot. Developing tourism with construction of resorts and hotels is the

major threat to sandy shore.


107

SINDHUDURG- VIJ-2


Site Profile:



Start: 16.314172, 73.190010

End: 16.320402, 73.184957

Habitat Type:



108


Shore Type: Reflective

Small sandy beach is about 0.73km long and around 90m broad. Intertidal area was less than

20m. Steep shore gradient from supra to meso-littoral zone mark the Site. However, from meso

to infra-littoral zone the shore gradient very gentle.

White sediment was found majorly composed of coarse sand (> 0.50 mm) and dead shell

particles. Sand was white mostly due to dead shells and has low water retention capacity. Sand

dune was present.

Biodiversity Values

Crustacean fauna like ghost crabs and mole crabs were seen. Donax faba was seen. Goose

neck barnacles were found.






Threats

Fort Vijaydurga is a tourist spot. Developing tourism with construction of resorts and hotels may

be potential threat.


109

SINDHUDURG- VIJ-3


Site Profile:



Start: 16.516404, 73.322150

End: 16.504191 73.327367

Habitat Type:



110


Shore Type: Reflective

Shore of about 1.3km long and 70m wide can be characterized by presence of high wave

turbulence. Comparatively flat supra to meso-littoral surface which suddenly slopes down at

infra-littoral mark.

Biodiversity Values

Crustacean fauna like ghost crabs, mole crabs and hermit crabs were seen abundantly. Donax

faba were also observed in large numbers.






Conservation Status


Threats


have environmental consequences.


111

SINDHUDURG- VIJ-4


Site Profile:



Start: 16.542413, 73.314727

End: 16.541305, 73.312297

Habitat Type:



112



Shore of about 1.3km long and 70m wide can be characterized by presence of high wave

turbulence. Comparatively flat supra to meso-littoral zone from where the shore gradient

suddenly becomes steep at infra-littoral mark. Sand is fine and brown yellow in color. Sand dune

formation was also observed.

Biodiversity Values

Crustacean fauna like ghost crabs and mole crabs were seen.

Sand dune vegetation was healthy and mostly of Calophyllum inophyllum.






Threats


damage the environment.


113

SITE DESCRIPTION: MUDDY SHORE


114

RATNAGIRI ANSURE CREEK: ANSURE DANDEWADI

Map 34 Sampling locations at Ansure Dandewadi muddy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri

GPS Coordinates: (Map )

Start:16.555635 73.358493

End:16.555773 73.365891

Habitat Type:

Marine, Intertidal, Muddy shore


115


Ansure creek harbours mudflats and mangrove forested areas especially on its northern bank

though comparitively small mangrove patches were seen on southern bank. Northern bank or

mangroves of the creek are distributed over two villages i.e. upstream Ansure and downstream

Ansure khalchi waki.

Open foreshore mudflat, of the creek can be zoned within upper littoral, middle, and infra-littoral

region. Upper littoral region near the mouth can be characterized by mixed course type substrata

and sparse vegetation of Sonneratia and Rhizophora. Stems of Sonneratia sp. were seen fouled

by oysters and barnacles on its lower heights. Certain area of meso-littoral region was found

covered by thick tangled patch of seagrass Halophila cf. beccarii. Many shallow sandy runnels

were seen, which run perpendicular to the shore and drains down in to the creek. Sparse

population of Avicennia marina was observed on the mix course and soft muddy substratum

toward the lower side of the bank. Further, interior in to the dense vegetation, parallel to the

shore, substrate was semi fluid muddy, mostly covered with leaf litter and black patches of

decomposed material. Ground was found firmer as one approaches the supra-littoral region.

Downstream to the creek, open mudflat areas where soft brown-gray, semi fluid mud was found

very deeply placed and supports patches of dense Avicennia marina and A. officinalis,

Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia apetela vegetation. Higher littoral muddy-sandy region was

hard and dry with intermittent shallow runnels. Substrate transition from soft muddy to course

muddy to muddy–sandy and sandy were noticed respectively from lower bank region to relative

upper littoral periphery. Leaf litter cover was occasional within forested area but pneumatophores

were seen spreading over underlying substrata of plants or even on open flat areas.

Biodiversity Values

Molluscs dominate the epibotic composition along with gastropods and Oysters. Oyster rocks

were seen on heterogeneous substratum i.e. high littoral course muddy to soft- muddy infra-

littoral areas. Arca sp. was abundant throughout the bank especially in upstream areas.

Cassidula aurisfellis, Platyvindex correous and Littoraria undulata were common on the leaf litter,

dead stumps, stems and leaves respectively. Seagrass vegetation was found inhabited by

gastropods such as Nassarius stolatus and Clithon oualaiensis, Haminoea sp. Sandy substratum

of runnels was seen inhabited by Natica picta and Nassarious stolatus. Cerithidia cingulata being

dominant among gastropods found occupying various types of substrata and even seen

distributed at all zones of the bank. Drainage carrying sandy-muddy runnels also supports the

population of Cerithidia cingulata and Nassarios stolatus. Telescopium telescopium were mostly

on soft brown-gray muddy substrate in congregation. Brachyuran burrows were found distributed

almost all over but of varying size. High littoral region of relative downstream patch was found

absolutely occupied by Ocypodids especially Uca spp. Notable activities of brachyurans were

noticed within seagrass areas. Juveniles of fishes, larvae and egg masses of Naticid gastropod

were seen exclusively within mat of Halophila cf. beccarii. Barnacles and oysters were seen

fouling on lower zone of the plant where as Littoraria undulate seen occupying higher zones. No

specific brachyuran arboreal activity was noticed.


116

Species richness faunal group mollusca and arthropoda

Fig. 30 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Ansure Dandewadi muddy shore

Image 53 Halophila cf. becarii Image 54 Clithon oualaiensis


Total Human Population: NA

Fishers Population: 513 (Pangerwadi).

Total Boats and crafts: 8 mechanized, 53 non-motorized.

Indigenous fishing: Hooks and cast nets are used.

Site is located along the edge of the village and many fishermen and women collect the oysters

and Arca sp. by traditional methods. Collection of crabs carried out through local gears such as

nets and hooks. Both these are preferred diet of the local people hence easily get sold in local

market. Fishing occurs in surrounding areas and many boats were seen anchored, during low

tide along the bank, at the mouth region.


117

Threats

Mangrove cutting by locals for firewood is common.

Runnels carrying domastic waste from adjacent village runs perpendicular to the shore and

drains up down in to the creek.

Site falls within the 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant at Madban. Construction

activities which will take place might alter the regular sedimentation flow rate. Temperature

fluctuations are likely to interfere in regular ecological functions since juveniles of fishes,

crustaceans and sea grass are abundant here and sensitive to temperature variations.


118

RATNAGIRI ANSURE CREEK: ANSURE KHALCHI-WAKI

Map 35 Sampling locations at Ansure Khalchi waki muddy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start:16.557058 73.387838

End: 16.556897 73.399315

Habitat Type:



119


Upstream dense and matured strands of Avicennia marina and downstream high littoral gravel

mixed habitat are the peculiar characteristic of this site. Supra-littoral bank areas with soft mud

and standing water puddles, harbors Sonneratia apetela, Rhizophora mucronata and Kandelia

candle on its periphery. Rocky outcrops and surrounding scarce Rhizophora population became

dense towards its relative upstream areas. Further interior in to this dense mangrove vegetation

the muddy substrate was soft gray along with black decomposed leaf-litter around. Low tidal

region of the mudflat was with oyster rocks and gravel substrate. Gravel mixed ground turns in to

soft brown-black mud further interior and supports patches of washed off material such as litter

and mangrove tree trumps and other manmade garbage. Upstream patches of Avicennia marina,

where ground was brown-black firmer and found covered by pneumatophores. Peripheral region

of the bank supports heterogeneous substratum which include gravel mixed and intermittent

watery, soft semi-fluid deeply placed mud. Dense and deeply placed leaf-litter were absent

except for washed-off litter.

Biodiversity Value:

Higher littoral soft muddy water puddles were seen inhabited by Elysia cf. bengalensis along with

juveniles of fishes at some places. Neritina violacea were seen occupying lower portion of the

stem i.e. very close to the substratum. Parallel to the shore, mixed gravel substrate where

congregation of Platyvindex sp. was seen. Congregation of Telescopium telescopium were

observed interior in to the vegetation especially on gray-black, soft substratum whereas relatively

upstream open foreshore, gravel mixed, brown-black substratum supports juvenile population of

the same. Beds of Cerithidia cingulata were seen on gravel mixed lower bank region. Cassidula

aurisfellis were found mostly tree dwelling and occasionally on ground. They were comparatively

abundant on upstream forested patch of Avecenia marine. Littoraria undulata was observed on

higher heights of the plants specifically on leaves. No peculiar activities were encountered for

brachyurans.

SPECIES RICHNESS FAUNAL GROUP MOLLUSCA AND ARTHROPODA

Fig. 31 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Ansure Khalchi Waki muddy shore


120





The site is spread along the periphery of terrestrial vegetation, intermittent with human

settlement. Many local fisher women were noticed collecting oysters during low tide along the

bank as well as within the exposed channels and runnels. Collection of crabs carried out through

small nets and hooks. Meat of Telescopium telescopium also preferred by some local population.

Conservation Status


Threats


activities which will take place might alter the regular sedimentation rate. Temperature


crustaceans are abundant here and sensitive to temperature variations.

Bund had been observed at upstream area on the terrestrial periphery of old strands of

Avicennia. Bund restricts the fresh water discharge to enter in to this saline area.


121

RATNAGIRI NATE CREEK

Nate creek with three of its major creeklets possesses mudflats harboring mangrove vegetation.

First smallest diversion occurs near the mouth and runs near about perpendicular to the main

creek. Further, creek flows eastward and splits in to major bifurcations near the muddy Island

named Juve. Both of these flow runs eastward but downward being longest. Mudflats and

mangrove vegetation near Juve, Dhaulwalli (upward creeklet) and Mithgavane, Waghran,

shindewadi, Ghodepoye1 and 2 (downward creeklet) were surveyed.

RATNAGIRI NATE CREEK: JUVE

Map 36 Sampling locations at Juve muddy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.631105, 73.378745

End: 16.619012, 73.394037

Habitat Type:



122


A muddy Island with intricate network of channels and streams can be characterized by

heterogeneous substrata and dense mangrove vegetation. Upper bank region which is in close

proximity of terrestrial vegetation where, washed off material were seen on the periphery among

the roots of trees. Compact cover of old leaf fall and dead barks/stumps of plants were seen on

underlying substrata. Further, towards the peripheral region open mudflat of mixed course type

along with oyster rocks ends up with the muddy-sandy to sandy substrate. Brown mud was not

found very deeply placed and with intermittent watery ditches. Interior in to the forested area,

substrate was comparatively firmer and mud found deeply placed or shallower at certain places.

Dense cover of pneumatophores of Avicennia and Sonnerecia were throughout within brown to

grey black substrate. Mat of sea grass Halophila cf. beccarii was seen on the middle open

foreshore soft muddy patch.

Biodiversity Value:

Cassidula aurisfellis were seen in compact leaf, barks cover along with Neritina violacea in black

substrata. Open soft brown muddy flats were seen occupied by beds of Cerithidia cingulata.

Nassarius stolatus were seen exclusively on sandy lower shore region. Clithon oualaiensis were

seen dwelling exclusively within sea grass cover. Oyster rocks with its sparse distribution, prefers

heterogeneous habitat. Usual composition of tree dwellers i.e. Cassidula aurisfellis and Neritina

violacea were found. Certain place where, lower zones of the plants seen occupied by Oysters

and Barnacles. Brachyuran holes of varying size and activities of Uca spp. were abundant

especially at lower shore sandy region.

SPECIES RICHNESS FAUNAL GROUP mOLLUSCA AND aRTHROPODA

Fig. 32 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Juve muddy shore


123

Image 55 Mangrove crabs


Total Human Population: Not available


Total Boats and crafts: 1mechanized, 9 non-motorized

Local fishing of brachyurans and oysters were seen.

Threats

Aquaculture ponds are found in close proximity of mangroves.




crustatians are abundant here and sensitive to temperature variations.

Nate creek is one among the major fishing station from Ratnagiri coast. Fishing boats and related

activities are regularly carried out. Usual insuduous spillage of oil is known from this region.


124

RATNAGIRI NATE CREEK: DHAULWALLI

Map 37 sampling locations at Dhaulwalli muddy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.633082, 73.385323

End: 16.633911, 73.389201

Habitat Type:



125

substrate/Habitat description:

Northward flowing creeklet of the Nate creek harbours Avicennia, Rhizophora, Sonneratia

vegetation on its both banks. Perifery of eastward bank found soft black-brown and not very

deeply placed. Further interior, ground was of mixed gravel type and found covered by

pneaumatophores of adjacent Avicennia and Sonneratia. Open foreshore flat of exposed channel

was soft brown, deeply placed but comparitively ferm. Pneumatophores of Sonneratia were seen

spread almost all over especially the lower region of northren bank. Downstream region,

sourthen bank found harbor by mangroves whereas northern bank remain occupied by

terrestreal vegeatation. Leaf-litter cover was not uniform throughout and found very compact

especially within vegetated areas. However, main creeklet and intermittent channels which

almost drain during low tide were comparatively barren.

Biodiversity Value:

Epibiota were seen only represented by molluscs by their usual mud dwelling gastropod and

pelecypod members. Cerithidia cingulata were throughout and seen forming beds especially on

brown semi-flueid muddy substrate. Neritina violacea were seen only interior in to the vegetation.

Patches of green algal mat were noticed on ground especially around east ward, infra-littoral

margin and at donstream end of the same flat. Main channel of the creeklet possessed gravel

and pebbels at the bottom and which were found encrusted by sponge. Live as well as empty

shell of Clithon oualaiensis were noticed within this channel. Sea grass bed were seen occupied

by Clithon oualaiensis and Hamenoia sp. Activities of Scyla cerrata were noticed. Platyvindex sp.

and Cassidula aurisfellis were seen on plant stems.


Fig. 33 Species richness of mollusca and Arthropoda at Dhaulwalli muddy shore


126




Total Boats and crafts: 11mechanized, 7 Non-motorized

Oyster and Brachyuran fishery using localized gear were seen. Plentiful supply of fresh water

(natural straem) was observed especially during low tide when tidal water completely resides.

Threats






activities are regularly carried out. Usual insiduous spillage of oil is known from this region.


127

RATNAGIRI NATE CREEK: MITHGAVANE, WAGHRAN, SHINDEWADI, GHODEPOY

Map 38 Sampling locations at Mithgavane, Waghran, Shindewadi and Ghodepoye muddy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.638783 73.353046

Habitat Type:



128

End: 16.588190 73.448089

Substrate/Habitat descript ion:

Mithgavane: Large mud mounts are the characteristic feature of this mangrove area. Ground

was soft brown and with intermittent small watery ditches. Lower peripheral region of the bank

was comparatively firm and dark brown. Pneumatophore cover was all over with moderate

amount of leaf-litter.

Shindewadi: Narrow strip of mud bank found harbored by Rhizophora and Avecenia. Lower

periphery of the bank was of mixed gravel type but as one approach further inside in to the

vegetation ground became firm brown-gray. Leaf litter cover was not uniform throughout and

comparatively dense near lower bank near periphery of vegetation. Muddy stripe of bank ends

with the terrestrial vegetation on the opposite periphery.

Waghran: Open foreshore mudflat with watery, soft brown-gray, deeply placed mud harbors

strands of Avicennia and Sonneracia. Network of channels with soft brown watery substrate

enters in the forested areas where substrate became comparatively firm and turns grayish. Leaf

litter was seen inside in to the vegetation.

Ghodepoye1 and 2: Soft muddy sediment which were found inhabited by abundant

Telescopium telescopium. Leaf-litter cover was dense on the ground and gray-black loose

muddy patches were seen around. Cassidula aurisfellis were mostly seen on the substratum.

Cassidula aurisfellis were mostly seen on the substratum.

Biodiversity value:

Abundant activities of brachyurance were observed on the mud banks of Mithgavane. Cassidula

aurisfellis were seen preferring leaf-litter and arboreal positions. Telescopium telescopium were

in congregation on grey water soft mud. Open flats at Waghran where beds of Cerithidia

cingulata were seen along with Hamenoia sp. Different size class were noticed within the

population of Cerithedia cingulata.


Fig. 34 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Nate Creek


129

Image 56 Mud mounds at Mithgavane



Fishers Population: 37 Waghran, 4382 Sakhari Nate

Total Boats and crafts: 122 mechanized, 2 non -motorized Sakhari Nate

Oyster and brachyuran fishery with some localized gear were seen especially at open flat areas

of Waghran. Many fishing boats, nets were encountered.

Threats






activities are regularly carried out. Usual insiduous spillage of oil is known from this region.

Human settlements were seen on the peripheral region of forested area. Drainage discharge of

domastic waste at certain places was noticed. Boats are used as local transport by local people.


130

JAIGAD CREEK

Shastri River opens in to Jaigad creek which harbors luxuriant patches of mangroves on both of

its bank. Major creeklets from the southern bank of the main creek near Kasari-Chaferi, Watad-

Miravane, Agarnaral-Deud also support dense forested patches on corresponding banks.

Map 39 Sampling locations along Jaigad Creek


131


Kasari the upstream patch of the mudflat can be characterized by dense patches of Rhizophora

spp. Peripheral vegetation is in close proximity of terrestrial vegetation. Soft brown muddy lower

bank region, shallower with intermittent oyster rocks but as one approaches the extreme

periphery; gentle slope ends with the soft semi-fluid brown mud in to the main creeklet.

Mirawane-Wadat: Downstream to Kasari, on southern bank of main creek, possess vegetated

tidal flats on both of its corresponding banks. In comparison with vegetation found on lower zone,

scarce vegetation of extreme periphery of supra-littoral areas is in close proximity of terrestrial

vegetation or rice-fields at most of the places. Further inside in to the vegetation soft brown-gray

muddy, watery-firm substrata supports old strands of Rhizophora, Avicennia with its closely set

interlocked roots. Many channels exposed during low tide and flats get open with its soft brown-

gray, deeply placed substrata. Substantial cover of pneumatophores was noticed within forested

areas. However, small patches were noticed within open flat areas.

Gadnaral: Mud bank which is entirely covered by mangrove vegetation. Soft brown mud found

covered by pneumatophores of surrounding Avicennia and Rhizophora. Leaf litter-cover was only

found along the channels which get exposed during low tide.

Biodiversity Value:

Small standing water puddles were seen occupied by Elysia bengalensis at several places. They

were mostly seen in large congregation. These puddles were also seen inhabited by juveniles of

fishes and mosquito insect. Neritina violacea were seen mostly in arboreal count as compare to

their epibiotic occurrence. Cerithidia cingulata were abundant on open foreshore mudbank

preferring wide verity of habitat from soft brown muddy to gravel mixed substrate. Telescopium

telescopium were not very uniform in distribution. Sea anemones were seen within watery soft

brown muddy substrata.

Image 57 Elysia bengalensis Image 58 Sea anemone



Fishers Population: 14 Deud, 667 Jaigad

Total Boats and crafts: 11 Mechanized, 30 Non-motorized


132

BHATYE CREEK

Map 40 Sampling locations along Bhatye Creek

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.633082, 73.385323

End: 16.633911, 73.389201

Habitat Type:



133


Bhatye creek (Kajli River) harbor mudflat on both of its banks.

Biodiversity Value:

Faunal composition and importance of Bhatye creek in fishery contexts has already been

accessed by many researchers. Economically important prawn seed production was also

recorded from here. Report by Gogate Jogalekar College gives an account of macrobenthic

composition along with phytoplankton and zooplankton. Vegetation pattern and species of

mangroves and mangrove associated species also been listed. Table 2 gives an account of

commercially important gastropods, bivalves and prawns from Bhatye creek.

Table 2 Commercially important gastropods, bivalves and prawns from Bhatye creek

Gastropods Bivalves Prawn seed

Telescopium telescopium Perna viridis Penaeous merguiensis

Natica vitellusa?? Marcia opima Metapeneous dobsoni

- Paphia malabarica Metapaneous monoceros

- Merestrix meretrix Metapaneous affinis

- Saccostrea cucullata Penaeous japonicus

- Crossosrea catuckensis Metapaneous moyebi

- S. acuminata Penaeus monodon

- Arca granosa Penaeous semisulcatus

- Paphia proxima -

Source: Khade & Mane 2012; Chaudhari and Jalihal, 1995




Total Boats and crafts: 33 Mechanized, 78 Non-motorized

Oyster and brachyuran fishery with some localized gear were seen especially at open flat areas.

Small scale fishery by adjacent villagers also carried out.

Threats

Deforestation of mangroves and overfishing is the major threat which has been reported for

Bhatye estuary.


134

VIJAYDURGA CREEK

Vijaydurga Creek (Waghotan River) harbors two major mudflats occupied by mangrove

vegetation.

VIJAYDURGA CREEK: ANPUR

Map 41 Sampling location at Anpur muddy shore


135

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.516692 73.350115

End: 16.514323 73.361354

Habitat Type:



West bank of Girye creeklet along with its two channels harbors the dense and diverse patch of

mangrove vegetation. North peripheral vegetation (creeklet opening) is located at close proximity

of terrestrial vegetation especially mango orchards. Characteristic mixed gravel habitat along

with soft muddy standing water puddles are found during low tide just few meters down from the

mango orchards, which is also the peripheral part of small channel entering from the creeklet.

Substrata of adjacent forested patch were found black muddy along with intricate network of fine

roots. Further, interior in to the vegetation, sediments were brown-gray and soft with intermittent

watery ditches. Leaf-litter cover was not uniform throughout and found very compact especially

on sheltered corners of the vegetation, whereas open runnels and mudflat areas were

comparatively barren. Towards the east, low bank region ground was comparatively firmer. The

mud was grayish in colour and shallower, but as one approaches the peripheral region, gentle

slope ends with the soft semi-fluid brown mud in to the main creeklet. West portion of the dense

vegetation is the relative downstream bank of the channel entering inside from the main creeklet.

Hard and dry substratum on the west portion was found completely covered by the arial roots of

surrounding Avicennia plants. Further inside in to the vegetation partly exposed streams and soft

brown-black mudflat were found inhabited by small patches of Cerithidia cingulata. More interior

in to the forested area ground became hard and comparatively dry at few places and found

covered by the arial roots of Avicennia sp.and Sonneratia sp. along with patchy leaf fall. Towards

the infra-littoral margin of the flat, ground became soft-brown muddy and mixed course along

with intermittent oyster rocks. Localized fishing of oysters was observed during low tide.

Biodiversity Value:

Rocks encrusted with oysters were most abundant and seen not only with the gravel to soft

muddy substrate but also found on the bottom of semi exposed channels or streams. Molluscs

found dominating the epibiota along with the member of the class Gastropoda. Cassidula

aurisfellis were hardly noticed within the interior substrata on eastward portion of the flat whereas

they were comparatively frequent on westward portion sample occupying the lower heights of the

mangrove stems. Cerithidia cingulata were mostly seen on wet, semi-fluid substratum and Elysis

cf bengalensis dwelling in to the ditches. Assiminea sp. were seen higher up on the soft brown

muddy shore forming clumps especially on the openings of brachyuran hole. Telescopium

telescopium on mud and Platyvindex sp. on the dead tree trumps were noticed while sampling.

Among arthropods brachyuran were present along with usual Ocypodid and Alphaeidae

members. Green algal mat on the ground as well on the lower heights of the plant were noticed

at places. Gastropod such as Cassidula aurisfellis, Neritina violacea and Platyvindex sp. forms

the arboreal composition. Shells of Telescopium telescopium were found inhabited by hermit


136

crabs on lower heights of the stems. Littoraria undulata remain higher on the plants especially in

association with leaves.

SPECIES RICHNESS FAUNAL GROUP MOLLUSCA AND ARTHROPODA

Fig. 35 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Anpur muddy shore

Image 59 Dog-faced snake dwelling in mudflats



Fishers Population: 588 Girye

Total Boats and crafts: 27 and 6 Non- motorized from Girye and Pural respectively

Local women were seen engaged in oyster fishing. Local small scale fishing activities were

noticed with small nets or hooks for fishes and crabs.


137

Threats




crustaceans are abundant here and sensitive to temperature variations.

Creek is one among the major fishing station from Ratnagiri coast. Fishing boats and related

activities are regularly carried out. Insiduous spillage of oil from fishing boats is common.


138

VIJAYDURGA CREEK: RAMESHWAR

Map 42 Sampling location at Rameshwar muddy shore

Site Profile:

District: Ratnagiri


Start: 16.548036 73.320872

End: 16.546270 73.322183°

Habitat Type:



139


Intricate network of water logged runnels and muddy-sandy channels are the characteristic of

this patch. Channel from the sea entering inside, harbors the mangrove vegetation on its both

banks (east-west). Higher up on the (east) bank loose muddy-sandy substrate with sparse

mangrove vegetation supports the high density of Cerithidia cingulata. Further, the waterlogged

runnels with black silt substrate support the Rhizophora vegetation along the margin. Westward

patch, brown course-soft, muddy patches around the mangroves and mixed course substrata

higher up the shore were observed. Few saplings of Avecenia sp. were noticed on the high

littoral bank region among soft, semi-fluid muddy substratum. Some sandbars which are exposed

during low tide became soft muddy or even found very deeply placed as one approach towards

relative downstream areas. Downstream to the main channel brown-grayish firm muddy ground

supports the dense vegetation of Rhizophora. Leaf-litter cover was comparatively scarce.

Biotic Characteristics:

Oyster rocks were common throughout, on the open flat areas, infra-littoral region of vegetated

bank or even at the bottom semi exposed sandy-muddy channels. Epibota were found composed

of gastropod and brachyurans. Barnacles and oysters were found in abundance fouling on the

lower heights of stems of mangrove plants, which were on periphery. Cerithidia cingulata seen

forming beds especially on within mixed gravel oyster rocks as well as on the soft brown open

muddy banks. Nassarius stolatus were seen dwelling exclusively on sand and hence their overall

distribution was patchy. Telescopium telescopium were seen mostly interior in to the vegetation

near the roots of Rhizophora spp. Cassidula aurisfellis was comparatively frequent. Green mat of

algae were seen at certain patches spreading over the ground. Cassidula aurisfellis and Neritina

violacea was noticed more in arboreal as compare to their epibiotic occurrence. Littoraria

undulata were mostly found dwelling higher up the trees but at places, they were noticed

throughout the length of mangrove plants.


Fig. 36 Species richness of molluscs and arthropods at Rameshwar muddy shore


140

Image 60 Hamenoia sp.

Image 61 Local fishermen with their traditional

fishing gears


Total Human Population: Data not recorded

Fishers Population: 588 Girye

Total Boats and crafts: 27 and 6 Non- motorized from Girye and Pural respectively

Small scale, fishing activities for fishes, crustaceans especially for Acetus sp., oysters were

abundant through-out the area.

Threats:

Site falls within the 10 km radius of proposed nuclear power plant. Construction activities which

will take place might alter the regular sedimentation rate. Temperature fluctuations are likely to

interfere in regular ecological functions since juveniles of fishes, crustateans are abundant here

and sensitive to temperature variations.


141

ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE COASTAL AREAS (ESCAs) OF

RATNAGIRI


142

Clusters of areas covering more than one habitat were identified as the Ecologically Sensitive

Coastal Areas (ESCAs) based on combination of habitat and faunal diversity. The area under

each cluster is of prime importance in terms of conservation. We have used scoring system with

26 prescribed indicators under six criteria formulated following National and International

guidelines by IUCN (Table 3). The total score of each was calculated and if any site cluster

scored well above 40% was selected for designation of ESCA. We designated 5 such clusters

which are described below in detaile.

Table 3 Criteria used to select ESCAs using National and International guidelines (IUCN)

Criteria Indicators

Ecosystem resilience

Considerable area

Ecosystem contiguity

Habitat diversity

Site adequacy to maintain ecosystem level processes

Connection with Wildlife Corridor

Ecosystem functions

Freshwater discharge

Coastal Erosion control

Carbon sequestration value

Natural protection

Biodiversity uniqueness

Presence of Globally threatened species

Presence of Regionally threatened species

Presence of Restricted range species

Presence of Flagship species

Presence of Endemic species

Congregation area of species of Conservation significance

Congregation area for migratory species

Provisions to breeding and nursery for species of Conservation significance

Socio-Cultural significance

Cultural significance

Religious significance

Historical significance

Aesthetic significance

Socio-Economic potential

Renewable natural resource extraction opportunity

Ecotourism

Support for agriculture

Aquaculture and fisheries

Land tenure Government ownership

There were a few constraints using some of these criteria.

The data available or collected were not uniform for all concerned sites.


143

Majority of species recorded from the study site are not evaluated with in IUCN red list.

No comprehensive survey was done historically in this region.

However, this is an effort first of this kind to evaluate the ecological importance of the area concerned. The following clusters have been identifies as ESCAs.

JAIGAD-UNDI-VARAWADE (MAP 43)

Loose rocks, interspersed sand and rock pools of various depths are the characteristic features

of the site.

Molluscs dominated the faunal composition with gastropod (35 species) and opisthobranch (27).

Algal composition dominates infra-littoral region with 22 species. Poriferans (17) and Cnidarians

(15) especially hydroids show their appearance within crevices, underside of rocks etc.

Polychaetes (10) and Arthropod (13) were seen among algae, within rock pools, under rocks etc.

Creek and creek-let harbors luxuriant patch of mangrove and mangrove associates.

Few of the sites fall under the impact zone of Jindal thermal power plant and other are in the

vicinity (<15 km radius). Posed threats are mainly temperature rise of coastal water (due to

discharge of warm water from power plants) for which almost all type of intertidal fauna is

susceptible. Moreover, expansion of present plant was proposed hence construction and

dredging activities might alter the sedimentation rate.

The sites have been previously assessed by the Gole et al (1997) for sandy beaches (including

sand dunes).

Fitting Criteria and Indicators

Eco

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m

resili

en

ce

Eco

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m

fun

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s

Bio

div

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ity

un

iqu

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So

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sig

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So

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A B C D E A B C D A B C D E F G H A B C D A B C D A

Ja

iga

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1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1

1

1 1

1 1

Conservation Priority Index: 0.53


144

KALBADEVI-RATNAGIRI-BHATYE (MAP 44)

This cluster includes various areas as mentioned in the Table 4-

Table 4 The areas and habitats covered in Kalbadevi – Ratnagiri – Bhatye cluster

Name Sandy Muddy Rocky

Aare-ware +++ ++ +

Kalbadevi +++ ++ -

Mirya ++ + +++

Shirgaon - +++ -

Sakhartar - +++ -

Alawa ++ ++ -

Murugwada-

Mirkarwad +++ - -

Mandavi ++ ++ -

Bhatye ++ +++ -

(+ indicates proportional area coverage)

Heterogenus habitat structure at Mirya, Mandavi, comprises of table form at supra and meso-

littoral zone & interspersed with deep furrows and rock pools and gradual to steep slope at infra-

littoral zone.

3 major bay areas are in this cluster viz. 1) Ratnagiri Bay which encompassed by sandy beaches

at Bhatye & Mandavi 2) Mirya Bay which encompassed by Mirkarwada-Murugwada and Mirya

shore (both rocky and sandy) and 3) Kalbadevi Bay which has narrow opening towards large

mangrove patch at Shirgaon and Sakhartar.

Aare-ware, Kalbadevi, Mirya, Mirkarwada-Murugwada sandy shore has white colored sand with

large number of macrobenthic species. Overall shoreline has good sand-dune vegetation (Gole,

1997).

The rocky sites dominated with molluscs (111 species) with 65 species of opisthobranchs (Index

group), 46 species of other molluscs. Besides this 17 species of Porifera and 28 species of algae

were recorded. The inter-tidal areas of Mirya, Mandavi and Alawa showed presence of patchy

reef dominated by Porites lutea and Porites cf. litchens

Muddy shore along the banks of Bhatye creek, Shirgaon and Sakhartar creek are vast. Few

patches are also present along the Aare-ware and


145


Eco

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Bio

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Kalb

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Ra

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1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1


AMBOLGAD-KASHELI (MAP 45)

This cluster includes areas as mentioned in Table 5:

Table 5 The areas and habitats covered in Ambolgad - Kasheli cluster


Kasheli - - +++

Vetye +++ ++ -

Ambolgad ++ - +++

Jaitapur ++ ++ ++

Nate creek + +++ +


Heterogenus habitat structure at Kasheli and Ambolgad comprises of table form. Supra and

meso-littoral zone is interspersed with deep furrows and rock pools and from gradual to steep

slop at infra-littoral zone.

Molluscs (85 species) dominated various zones of intertidal area. Apart from gastropod, 40

species of opisthobranchs were found within their distinct micro-niches. Algal composition (31

species) shows zonal composition and abundant growth were observed at Meso to infra-littoral

areas. Rock pools and pebbles were found inhabited by various cryptic and encrusting

organisms viz. Poriferans (21), Cnidarians (18), Polyclads (3) and Arthropod (22). Cnidarians

were primarily represented by hydroids, zooantherians and corals. Polychaetes were found


146

composed of both erentians and sedentariens. Massive growth of polychete tubes (11 species)

was seen especially at supra-littoral zone. Echinoderms (9) species diversity was also good.

Sandy shore: Intermediate and Dissipative type of shore was seen along the shores of three

villages of the Rajapur taluka. Ambolgad, Tiware and Vetye are about 5km long and largest

sandy shores in the study area. Arthropods and gastropods were the commonly encountered

creature. Rocky outcrops support the growth of hydroid, algae etc.

Muddy shore: Banks of Jaitapur-Nate creek with Islands like Juve shows profuse growth of

mangrove vegetation and its associate. Scarce patches of Vulnerable species of seagrass mat

Halophila cf beccarii also been observed at Juve and Dhaulwalii. Epibiotic species of gastropod

among which few species were found preferring grass mat. Brahyuran activities were

represented by ocypodidae (Uca Sp.). Black decomposed sulphur rich patches were almost

absent throughout.

Area falls within the impact zones of proposed nuclear power plant and shipyard. Sedimentation,

temperature rise, oil spills, solid waste etc might interfere with inter-tidal ecology.


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Am

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1 1 1 1 1

1

1 1

1 1



147

ANSURE CREEK (MAP 46)

This cluster includes Areas as mentioned in the Table 6:

Table 6 The areas and habitats covered in Ansure cluster


Ansure +++ - -

Ansure-Dande wadi - +++ -

Ansure-Khalachi

waki

- +++ -

Shirase - +++ -


Area refers to the two mudflats and forested patches of mangrove vegetation.

Vulnerable species of Seagrass Halophila cf. beccarii seems to be confined to intertidal zone of

these mudflat areas. Threat due to anchoring of boats, destruction of mangroves, sewage

disposal has been noted from the area.

Total 8 gastropod species recorded among which few species were dominant within sea grass

areas and confirm their habitat preference.

Construction activities of proposed industrial development and aquaculture might led to

increased sedimentation load, probable alterations in temperature regimes, drainage disposal

are the main threats known.


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148

VIJAYDURGA (MAP 46)

This cluster includes areas and habitats as mentioned in Table 7.

Table 7 The areas and habitats covered in Vijaydurgs cluster


Vij-1 ++ - ++

Vij-2 ++ - ++

Vij-3 ++ - ++

Vij-4 ++ - +

Rameshwar-Girye - +++ -

Anpur-Tar - +++ -


Sandy shore flanked by rocky shore is the characteristic feature of shores from Vijaydurga area.

Gastropods were dominant in terms of species richness (41 species). Bivalves are mostly

represented by oysters. Algae (22 species) preferred occupying rock pools. Brachyuran and

barnacle dominated arthropod community with 18 species. Cnidarians seen occupying crevices

and under rock/rubble within rock pools especially in the meso and infra-littoral areas.

Brachyuran dominated the faunal composition where as gastropods were dominant among

molluscs (7 species). Echinoderms were represented by starfishes and brittlestars.

Gastropod dominates the molluscs (7 species) population and oysters within bivalve, various

species seen occupying specific habitat. Brachyuran activity was seen even in the arboreal

composition.


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1 1 1 1

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149

CONSERVATION ISSUES

DEVELOPMENT AS THREAT

Defined Ecologically Sensitive Coastal Areas (ESCA) and its total faunal and floral composition

have been evaluated in presided document. Socio-economic data though could not be gathered

for all sites, concludes the importance and dependency of local population on fishery resources

of this area. On the other hand major threats to these sites were found out during studies are as

follows (See map 47).

Power plants: At least fifteen proposed coal-fired power projects equaling 25 GW of power are

set to be built on a narrow strip of 200 km long coastal land. This represents a 200% increase in

coal-fired power for the entire state of Maharashtra, which already has the largest total installed

capacity equal to 11 GW, or 13% of nationwide capacity. Many important marine biodiversity

sites as listed above which fall within this small stretch of coastal Konkan. Area is under severe

stress due to existing operational projects, situation which will only aggrevate with the amount of

proposed mega projects.

Captive Ports: Power plants require their own captive ports for the transport of raw material.

Finolex, Ranpar, JSW Port, Jaigad, Bhagawati bunder, Ratnagiri are the few examples of such

captive jetties around the concern areas.

Shipyards and Jetties: One shipyard is aleady operational at Mirye village (Bharati Shipyard)

and two mega-shipyards are proposed at Vetye (Rajapur Shipyards Private Limited) and

Vijaydurga. Presently, many fish landing jetties along the coastal area and two fishing harbours

Mirkarwada, Ratnagiri (Singh, 1998); Sakhari Nate at Rajapur

(http://fisheries.maharashtra.gov.in/) exist. Besides these there are about 3 mega shipyards

operational or under construction in Dabhol creek.

Aquaculture: Many private and few government aquaculture sites (around 11) are present within

the study area. Most of them are constructed by clearing mangrove areas.

Regulations of CRZ and deforestation: The coastal areas are already under various levels of

Coastal regulatory zone. (Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011). In spite of it deforestation

of mangroves is observed almost at all places owing to its private ownership.

http://fisheries.maharashtra.gov.in/


150

Map 47 Areas of influence (10 km

radius) of thermal and nuclear power

plants, mega shipyards, minor ports

and captive jetties between Ranpar

Creek and Jaigad Creek


151

ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIOCONOMIC ISSUES

Simple alteration in temperature, sedimentation flow, salinity, water currents and deforestation

can have serious consequences on coastal ecology. Domain of substrate and structural variety

of rocky shore, certainly include groups specifically corals, zoantherians, polyclads,

opisthobranch and algae which are susceptible for above mentioned environmental

modifications. Temperature anomalies (1ºC over a period of 2-3 weeks) during El Nino are

known to cause coral bleaching. If this thermal stress continues for a longer duration of over 30

days, the coral bleaching can result in coral mortality. This has multitude of implications in terms

of loss of intertidal and subtidal biodiversity and thus loss of livelihoods. Effects of El Nino can

lead to wither shift in ecosystem or ecological succession. Species composition of mudflat fauna

consists primarily of the presence of detrivorous, filterfeeder and dominating herbivorous type of

food chain. Oysters and crustaceans dominate this population. Meat of oysters, prawns and

crabs are an important part of diet of humans and are considered as delicacy almost all over the

world. Different species of oysters and crustaceans contribute variously in shell fish fishery of

India. Around 5 species of oysters (Kade & Mane, 2012; Nayar & Mahadevan, 1987) has been

reported from mudflats around Ratnagiri which is one among the major fishing ground on west

coast of India. Moreover, presence of seagrass meadows though confined to specific areas is of

major ecological setting. Among 14 species of segrasses known from Indian waters, Jagtap et al

reported only two from Maharashtra, Halophila beccari being common. Temperature and salinity

alterations are among the major impediments, apart from various responsible detrimental threats

defined for sea grass ecosystem. Variation in temperature can cause certain biological changes

in sea grass system leading to leaf shedding whereas salinity changes occurs also interfere with

the process of photosynthesis.(Community Environment Network, 2005).

Diversity account of rocky and sandy shores, extensive mudflats with luxuriant patches of

mangroves and seagrass beds clearly indicates the presence of higher grade sustained

ecological functioning in the study area.

On this background, consideration of proposed sites under ESCA will help formulating strict conservation strategies and facilitate their implementation to maintain the ecological balance which will in turn protect fundamental units of biodiversity and available recourses.


152

REFERENCES

Apte, D.A and Bhave,V.J (2010). A Preliminary Report: Diversity of Coastal Marine ecosystems

of Maharashtra: Part 1.1: Rocky Shores at Ratnagiri & Rajapur District. Report by Bombay

Natural History Society, 130 p.

Bhave V.J. and D.A. Apte (2011) Illustrated checklist of opisthobranch fauna of ratnagiri,

Maharashtra, India, with eight new records to India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History

Society. 108(3): 172-182

Bush, D.M., (2009) Marine features and processes in Young, R., and Norby, L., eds., Geological

Monitoring: Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America, Pp. 163–188.

Chaudhari and Jalihal (1995) Prawn seed resoursec of South Konkan coast (Maharashtra state

,West coast of India) In, Current and Emerging trends in Aquaculture edited by P. C. Thomas.

Proceedings of the Natinal seminar on Current and Emerging trends in Aquaculture and Its

Impact on Rulae development.116-130

Coastal regulation zone notification, ministry of environment and forests to be published Gazette

of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) of dated the 6th January, 2011

(Available at: http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/CRZ-Notification-2011.pdf)

Community Environment Network (2005). Watching the Seagrass Grow – a guide for community

seagrass monitoring in NSW (2nd Ed). The Community Environment Network, Ourimbah.

The Environment (Protection) Act (1986). Ministry of Environment and Forests, Department of

Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Government of India, New Delhi.

Gole, P. (1997) Conservation of Biodiversity of the west coast between Mumbai and Goa.

Ecological society, Pune, pp 93.

http://fisheries.maharashtra.gov.in/ visited on 20-09-2012

IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

Downloaded on 02 September 2012.

Jagtap, T., Komarpant D., Rodriguse, R. (2003) STATUS OF A Seagrass Ecosystem: An

Ecologically sensitive Wetland Habitat from India. Wetlands Vo.l 23(1):161-170

Khade S. and Mane U. (2012) Diversity of Edible Bivalve and Gastropod Molluscs from Ratnagiri,

Maharashtra. IJSPER vol 1 (8), 1-4.

Kulkarni A. and Tendulkar S. (2006) Biodiversity and ecological studies of Bhatye estuary,

Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Gogate Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri.

Kulkarni G. N. (2005) Coastal Biodiversity of Maharashtra An Insight In, Aquatic biodiversity In

India. The present Scenario, edited by Khan Dand Prasad G. 332-338.

Nagelkerken, Blaber, S., Bouillon. S. Green, P. Haywood, M., Kirton, L. Meynecke, J. Pawlik, J.

Penrose, H., Sasekumar, A., Somerfield, P. (2008) The habitat fuctions of the mangroves for

terrestrial and marine fauna: A review. Aquatic Botany 29:155-185.

http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/CRZ-Notification-2011.pdf

http://fisheries.maharashtra.gov.in/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/


153

National Wetland Atlas: Maharashtra, SAC/RESA/AFEG/NWIA/ATLAS/19/2009, Space

Applications Cenre (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India. 222p.

NASA Landsat Program (2006) Landsat ETM+ scene scenep147r048, GeoCover, USGS, Sioux,

03/28/2011.

NASA Landsat Program (2006) Landsat ETM+ scene scenep147r049, GeoCover, USGS, Sioux,

03/28/2011.

Nayak K. and Mahadevan S. (1987) Oyster culture status and Prospects CMFRI Bulletin, 38, 1-

78

Qasim, S.Z. and Wafer M.V.M. (1979) Occurrences of living corals at several places along the

West Coast of India. Mahasagar bulletin, NIO, Goa 12: 53-58

Quantum GIS Development Team (2012) Quantum GIS Geographic Information System. Open

Source Geospatial Foundation Project. http://qgis.osgeo.org

Sasekumar, A. (1974) Distribution of Macrofauna on a Malayan Mangrove Shore. Journal of

Animal Ecology, 43(1):51-69.

Singh, V .V . and Vidyasagar, Kuber (1998) Major and minor fisheries harbours of India 1.

Fisheries harbours in Maharashtra. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and

Extension Series, 153. Pp. 1-6.

Untawale, A.G., Dhargalkar, V.K. (2002) Marine and conservation strategies for Maharashtra

coast In, Advance in Marine and Antartic Science edited by Dinabandhu Sahu and Premchanda

pandey. Pp.107-120

Untawale, A.G., Dhargalkar, V.K. and Deshmukhe, G.V. (2000) Prioritization of potential sites for

marine biodiversity conservation in India, In: Setting biodiversity conservation priorities for India:

Summary of the findings and conclusions of the biodiversity conservation prioritization project,

eds. Singh, S.; Sastry, A.R.K.; Mehta, R.; Uppal, V.,1: 104-131.


154

ANNEXURES


155

ANNEXURE 1 CHECKLIST OF OPISTHOBRANCH SPECIES FROM ROCKY SHORE

Sr. No. Species

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VIJ

-I

VIJ

-III

Actinocyclidae 1 1 1

1 Hallaxa cf. fuscescens 1 1 1

Aeolidiidae 1 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 2 2

2 Anteaeolidiella foulisi 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

3 Baeolidia palythoae 1 1 1 1 1

Ampulastridae 1

4 Hydatina velmn 1

Aplysiidae 1 1 1

5 Aplysia oculifera 1 1

6 Stylocheilus longicauda 1

Arminidae 1 1 1

7 Dermatobranchus sp. 1 1 1

Bornellidae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

8 Bornella stellifer 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Bullidae 1 1

9 Bulla ampulla 1 1


156

Sr. No. Species

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-III

Chromodorididae 2 1 2

10 Goniobranchus naiki 1 1

11 Hypselodoris cf. obscura 1 1

12 Hypselodoris cf. saintvincentia 1

Dendrodorididae 2 1 2 3 1 2 2 2 3 2 1

13 Dendrodoris sp. 1 1

14 Dendrodoris fumata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

15 Doriopsilla miniata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Discodorididae 3 3 3 9 2 3 4 3 5 1

16 Atagema sp.1 1 1

17 Atagema sp. 2 1 1 1 1

18 Jorunna ramicola 1

19 Jorunna sp. 1 1 1 1 1

20 Rostanga sp. 3 1 1

21 Rostanga sp. 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

22 Rostanga cf bifurcata 1

23 Rostanga sp.1 1 1

24 Sebadoris fragilis 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


157

Sr. No. Species

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25 Tayuva cf lilacina 1 1 1

Dorididae 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2

26 Doris granulosa 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

27 Siraius nucleola 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Dotidae 1 3 1

28 Doto sp.1 1 1

29 Doto sp.2 1 1

30 Doto sp.3 1

Embletoniidae 1 1

31 Embletonia gracilis 1 1

Eubranchidae 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 2

32 Eubranchopsis virginalis 1

33 Eubranchus cf mimeticus 1 1

34 Eubranchus mandapamensis 1

35 Eubranchus sp. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

36 Eubranchus sp. 3 1

Facelinidae 4 2 2 7 3 3 5 1 4 5


158

Sr. No. Species

Aa

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37 Cratena lineata 1 1 1

38 Cratena sp. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

39 Cratena sp. 2 1

40 Herviella yatsui 1 1 1 1 1 1

41 Phidiana anulifera 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

42 Phidiana militaris 1 1 1 1 1 1

43 Phyllodesmium poindimiei 1

Goniodorididae 1 7 1 3 1

44 Goniodoris sp. 1 1

45 Goniodoris sp. 2 1 1

46 Okenia sp. 1

47 Okenia echinata 1 1

48 Okenia pellucida 1 1

49 Okenia pilosa 1 1 1 1

50 Trapania cf todii 1

Haminoeidae 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 4 1 1 1

51 Haminoea sp.5 1 1

52 Haminoea sp.3 1 1 1


159

Sr. No. Species

Aa

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53 Haminoea sp.4 1 1

54 Smaragdinella calyculata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Hancockiidae 1

55 Hancockia papillata 1

Limapontiidae 1 2 1

56 Costasiella sp. 1

57 Ercolania sp. 1 1 1

Onchidorididae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

58 Onchidoris sp. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Plakobranchidae 2 4 2 6 1 1 3 3 4 5

59 Elysia sp. (red spotted) 1 1 1 1

60 Elysia expansa 1 1 1 1

61 Elysia hirasei 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

62 Elysia obtusa 1 1 1

63 Elysia tomentosa 1 2 2 2 2 1

6 Pleurobranchidae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

64 Berthella stellata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


160

Sr. No. Species

Aa

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Polyceridae 1 1 2 1 2 1

66 Plocamopherus ceylonicus 1 1 1 1 1 1

67 Thecacera pennigera 1 1

Tergipedidae 1 1

68 Phestilla minor 1 1

Tritoniidae 1

69 Marionia cf olivacea 1

Grand Total 21 17 22 62 15 16 30 15 37 26 1 3


161

ANNEXURE 2 CHECKLIST OF IDENTIFIED SPECIES (OTHER THAN

OPISTHOBRANCHS) FROM ROCKY SHORE

Sr. No. Phylum Name IUCN status (IUCN 3.1)

1

Chlorophyta

Caulerpa macrophysa NE

2 Caulerpa scalpelliformis NE

3 Caulerpa sertuloides NE

4 Caulerpa verticillata NE

5 Caulerpa peltata NE

6 Chaetomorpha antennina NE

7 Chaetomorpha cf crassa NE

8 Enteromorpha sp. NE

9 Ulva sp. NE

10 Chaetomorpha lineatum NE

11 Cladophora sp. NE

12 Chaetomorpha sp. NE

13

Ochrophyta

Colpomenia sinuosa NE

14 Dictyopteris sp. NE

15 Dictyota dichotomata NE

16 Dictyota sp. 1 NE

17 Padina cf gymnospora NE

18 Padina tetrastromatica NE

19 Sargassum sp. 1 NE

20 Sargassum sp. 2 NE

21 Stoechospermum marginatum NE

22

Rhodophyta

Acanthophora cf specifera NE

23 Amphiroa anceps NE

24 Amphiroa sp. NE

25 Champia cf parvula NE

26 Cheilosporum spectabile NE

27 Chondria cf armata NE

28 Gelidiopsis sp. NE

29 Gelidium cf pusillum NE

30 Gracilaria cf corticata NE

31 Hypnea cf pannosa NE

32 Hypnea cf valentiae NE


162


33 Rhodymenia sonderi NE

34 Centroceros sp. NE

35

Porifera

Haliclona sp. NE

36 Halichondria sp. NE

37 Tethya robusta NE

38 Cinachyra sp. 1 NE

39 Cinachyra sp. 2 NE

40 Ircinia sp. NE

41 Clathrina sp. NE

42 Aplysilla sp. NE

43 Spirastrella sp. NE

44 Sycon cilliatum NE

45 Halichondria cf panicea NE

46 Cliona sp. NE

47 Tetilla sp. NE

48 Ophlitaspongia sp. NE

49 Mixillina sp. NE

50

Porifera

Geodia sp. NE

51 Mycale sp. 1 NE

52 Mycale sp. 2 NE

53 Hadromerida NE

54

Cnidaria

Red sea Anemone (Bunodosoma cf goanensis)

NE

55 Brown sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera

NE

56 Porites lutea NE

57 Porites sp. NE

58 Carijoa sp. NE

59 Macrorhynchya philippina NE

60 Aglaophenia sp. 2 NE

61 Dynamena sp. 1 NE

62 Dynamena cf pumila NE

63 Dynamena cf quadridentata NE

64 Idiellana pristis NE

65 Pennaria disticha NE

66 Companulariidae sp. 1 NE

67 Scandia mutabilis NE


163


68 Obelia geniculata NE

69 Obelia sp. NE

70 Garveia franciscana NE

71

Platyhelminthes

Prosthiostomum trilineatum NE

72 Pseudobiceros cf stellae NE

73 Thysanozoon sp. 1 NE

74

Annelida

Pseudonereis cf variegata NE

75 Lysidice sp. NE

76 Opisthosyllis sp. NE

77 Sipunculida

Sipunculid sp. 1 NE

78 Sipunculid sp. 2 NE

79

Arthropoda

Balanus cf amphitrite NE

80 Chthamalus sp. NE

81 Palaemonetes sp. NE

82 Petrolisthes boscii NE

83 Grapsus sp. NE

84 Metropograpsus sp. NE

85 Atergatis integerrimus NE

86 Menippe rumphii NE

87 Hippolyte sp. NE

88 Panulirus sp. NE

89 Schizophrys aspera NE

90 Hyastenus sp. NE

91 Brachiopoda Discinisca sp. NE

92 Mollusca

Ostrea sp. NE

93 Ostrea cf crenulifera NE

94 Pinctada margaritifera NE

95 Gafrarium divaricatum NE

96 Perna viridis NE

97 Modiolus sp. NE

98 Brachidontes karachiensis NE

99 Cardita variegata NE

100 Astrea semicostata NE

101 Astrea stellata NE

102 Cantharus undosus NE


164


103 Mollusca

Cellana radiata NE

104 Cerethium collumella NE

105 Clanculus ceylanicus NE

106 Clypidina notata NE

107 Cronia contracta NE

108 Cronia subnodulosa NE

109 Cypraea arabica NE

110 Cypraea lentiginosa NE

111 Cypraea ocellata NE

112 Diodora singaporensis NE

113 Drupa heptagonalis NE

114 Echinolittorina malaccana NE

115 Nodilittorina leucosticta NE

116 Echinolittorina cf malaccana NE

117 Engina zea NE

118 Euchelus asper NE

119 Euchelus tricarinata NE

120 Gibulla swainsonii NE

121 Gyrineum natator NE

122 Littoraria intermedia NE

123 Mitra scutulata NE

124 Mitra sp. NE

125 Nerita albicilla NE

126 Nerita chamaeleon NE

127 Nerita oryzarum NE

128 Planaxis sulcatus NE

129 Purpurea panama NE

130 Pyrene scripta NE

131 Pyrene terpsichore NE

132 Scutus unguis NE

133 Supplanaxis niger NE

134 Thais bufo NE

135 Thais lacera NE

136 Thais rugosa NE

137 Thaisella tissoti NE

138 Trochus radiatus NE


165


139 Turbo bruneus NE

140 Conus cumingii NE

141 Morula uva NE

142 Cerethium morus NE

143 Turbinella pyrum

144 Littoraria undulata NE

145

Echinodermata

Stomopneustes variolaris NE

146 Temnopleurus cf toreumaticus NE

147 Heterocentrotus cf mammillatus NE

148 Holothuria Mertensiothuria leucospilota

NE

149 Macrophiothrix aspidota NE

150 Asterina lorioli NE

151

Pieces

Abudefduf septemfasciatus NE

152 Chaetodon sp. NE

153 Istiblennius dussumieri NE

154 Cephalopholis formosa LC

155 Odonus niger NE

156 Gymnothorax cf favagineus NE

157 Gymnothorax sp. 2 NE

158 Echidna nebulosa NE

159 Nebrius cf ferrugineus VU

160 Myripristis murdjan NE

161 Chaetodon collare LC

162 Halichorers hortulanus NE

163 Pomacanthus annularis LC

164 Labroides dimidiatus LC

165 Diodon liturosus NE

166

Mammal

Delphinus delphis LC

167 Sousa chinensis NT

168 Tursiops truncatus LC

169 Neophocaena phocaenoides phocaenoides

NE

170 Physeter catodon NE

171 Lutrogale perspicillata VU


166

ANNEXURE 3 CHECKLIST OF IDENTIFIED SPECIES FROM SANDY SHORE

SR.No. Group Name Habitat IUCN

Status

1

Algae

Centroceros sp. Rocky patch NE

2 Padina sp. Washed off NE

3 Sargassum sp. Washed off NE

4 Ulva sp. Rocky patch NE

5 Porifera Mycale sp. (Orange-red) Creeklet NE

6

Cnidaria

Brown sea anemone (Bunodosoma sp.) Rocky patch with sand NE

7 Obelia geniculata Rocky patch with sand NE

8 Physalia physalis Sand NE

9 Porpita porpita Sand NE

10 Red sea Anemone (Bunodosoma cf goanensis)

Rocky patch with sand NE

11 Arthropoda

Dottila sp. Sand NE

12 Matuta lunaris Sand NE

13

Gastropoda

Babylonia spirata Sand NE

14 Donax faba Sand NE

15 Dosinia sp. Sand NE

16 Dosinia sp. Sand NE

17 Janthina globosa Sand NE

18 Nassa ornatus Sand NE

19 Nassa pictus Sand NE

20 Nassarius distortus Sand NE

21 Nassarius pullus Sand NE

22 Nassarius stolatus Sand NE

23 Nerita sp. Rocky patch NE

24 Nodilittorina leucosticta Rocky patch NE

25 Oliva nebulosa Sand NE

26 Oliva oliva Sand NE

27 Paphia textile Sand NE

28 Siliqua radiata Sand NE

29 Solen sp. Sand NE

30 Sunetta donacina Sand NE

31 Thais bufo Rocky patch NE

32 Turitella duplicata Sand NE


167

SR.No. Group Name Habitat IUCN

Status

33 Turris javana Sand NE

34 Umbonium vestiariium Sand NE

35 Opisthobranch Phidiana militaris Rocky patch NE

36 Pelecypoda Ostrea sp. Rocky patch NE

37 Echinodermata Astropecten indicus Sand NE


168

ANNEXURE 4 CHECKLIST OF IDENTIFIED SPECIES FROM MUDDY SHORE

Sr.No. Group Name IUCN status

1 Seagrass Halophila cf. beccarii VU

2

Mangrove and Associates

Acanthus ilicifolius LC

3 Aegiceras corniculatum LC

4 Avicennia marina LC

5 Avicennia officinalis LC

6 Bruguiera gymnorrhiza NE

7 Ceriops tagal LC

8 Excoecaria agallocha LC

9 kandelia candel LC

10 Lumnitzera racemosa LC

11 Rhizophora apiculata LC

12 Rhizophora mucronata LC

13 Sonneratia alba LC

14 Sonneratia apetala LC

15 Sesuvium portulacastrum LC

16 Clerodendron inermi NE

17 Crustaceans Uca sp. NE

18

Gastropoda

Cerithidia cingulata NE

19 Ascemenia sp. NE

20 Neritina violacea LC

21 Telescopium telescopium LC

22 Nassarius stolatus NE

23 Nassarius olivacea NE

24 Clithon oualaniensis LC

25 Cassidula aurisfellis NE

26 Elysia cf. Bengalensis NE

27 Natica picta NE

28 Heminoea sp. NE

29 Platyvindex correous NE

30 Platyvindex sp. NE

31 Littoraria undulata LC

32 Bivalvia

Perna viridis NE

33 Marcia opima NE


169

Sr.No. Group Name IUCN status

34 Arca granosa NE

35 Gelonia sp. NE

36 Crassostrea sp. NE

37 Reptiles

Dog faced Snake Cerberus rynchops

LC

38

Aves

Black kite Milvus migrans LC

Brahminy kite Haliastur indus LC

39 White-bellieid Sea Eagle Heliaeetus leucogaster LC

40 Malabar-pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus NT

41 White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis LC

42 Little Egret Egretta garzetta LC

43 Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis LC

44 House crow Corvus splendens LC

45 Mammals

Smooth coated otter

VU Lutrogale perspicillata


170

ANNEXURE 5 COMPLETE CHECKLIST OF BIRDS FROM STUDY SITES

Sr. No Common Name Scientific name IUCN status

1 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis LC

2 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger LC

3 Darter Anhinga melanogaster NT

4 Little Egret Egretta garzetta LC

5 Western Reef-Egret Egretta gularis LC

6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea LC

7 Large Egret Casmerodius albus LC

8 Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia LC

9 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis LC

10 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii LC

11 Little Green Heron Butorides striatus LC

12 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax LC

13 Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis LC

14 Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans LC

15 White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus LC

16 Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus LC

17 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus LC

18 Black Kite Milvus migrans LC

19 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus LC

20 White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster LC

21 Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus LC

22 Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela LC

23 Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus LC

24 Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos LC

25 Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus LC

26 Shikra Accipiter badius LC

27 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus LC

28 Osprey Pandion haliaetus LC

29 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus LC

30 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus LC


171


31 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius LC

32 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus LC

33 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus LC

34 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus LC

35 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus LC

36 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata NT

37 Common Redshank Tringa totanus LC

38 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis LC

39 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia LC

40 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola LC

41 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos LC

42 Little Stint Calidris minuta LC

43 Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini LC

44 Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans LC

45 Pallas’s Gull Larus ichthyaetus LC

46 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus LC

47 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus LC

48 Slender-billed Gull Larus genei LC

49 Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis LC

50 Large Crested Tern Sterna bergii LC

51 Little Tern Sterna albifrons LC

52 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus LC

53 Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia LC

54 Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis LC

55 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis LC

56 Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto LC

57 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri LC

58 Brainfever Bird Hierococcyx varius LC

59 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea LC

60 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis LC

61 White-rumped Needletail-Swift

Zoonavena sylvatica LC


172


62 Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis LC

63 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba LC

64 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis LC

65 Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis LC

66 White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis LC

67 Lesser Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis LC

68 Small Bee-eater Merops orientalis LC

69 Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker

Dinopium benghalense LC

70 Common Swallow Hirundo rustica LC

71 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii LC

72 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica LC

73 Large Pied Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis LC

74 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava LC

75 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus LC

76 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus LC

77 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer LC

78 White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus LC

79 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia LC

80 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis LC

81 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii LC

82 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis LC

83 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata LC

84 Blyth’s Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum LC

85 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius LC

86 Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica LC

87 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica LC

88 White-throated Munia Lonchura malabarica LC

89 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata LC

90 Spotted Munia Lonchura punctulata LC

91 Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca LC

92 House Sparrow Passer domesticus LC

93 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis LC


173


94 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus LC

95 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus LC

96 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus LC

97 House Crow Corvus splendens LC

98 Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos LC

IUCN Status: NE: Not Evaluated

NT: Near Threatened

VU: Vulnerable

LC: Least Concern

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