Lake chilika: Sustainable fisheries management case study

Abstract

The diverse and dynamic assemblage of fish, invertebrate, and crustacean species found in Lake Chilika, located in India's Odisha (formerly Orissa) State, provides the basis of rich fisheries which support livelihoods of over 0.2 million fishers and generate nearly 9% of Odisha's foreign revenue from marine products. Sustainable management of fisheries forms an important component of integrated approaches adopted for ensuring "wise use" of Chilika as a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance under Ramsar Convention). Ecological restoration, management of the lake basin, inventory and assessment, and promoting community-managed fisheries are key measures that are being implemented to sustain fisheries and maintain the overall ecological health of Lake Chilika.