Fin Fish Diversity of Dholai Fishing Harbour, Gujarat, India
Princekumar D. Tandel
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval, Gujarat, India.
H. K. Kardani *
Fisheries Research Station, Kamdhenu University, Sikka, India.
R. V. Borichagar
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval, Gujarat, India.
Gautam Bhatti
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval, Gujarat, India.
C. Abhinesh
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the finfish diversity landed at Dholai Fishing Harbour, Gujarat, India, from September 2025 to April 2026. Fishery-independent data, including fish samples, landing observations and catch-related metrics, were gathered from trawlers and gillnetters using a randomised sampling strategy. To ensure data accuracy and establish a reliable average, approximately 10 boats were sampled per trip, with data collection conducted in three replications per month. Species identification was performed using morphometric, meristic and external diagnostic characters, supported by standard taxonomic keys and online databases. A few species were dissected for species confirmation. A total of 120 finfish species belonging to 96 genera, 60 families and 22 orders were recorded during the study period. The recorded diversity included 14 species of Elasmobranchii distributed across 13 genera, eight families and five orders, and 106 species of Teleostei distributed across 83 genera, 52 families and 17 orders. The trawl catch was grouped into 26 finfish categories, with mackerels, groupers, tongue soles, croakers, rays, seabreams, snappers, sharks, threadfin breams, catfishes, threadfins, flatheads, eels and barracudas forming important components. Small croaker (≈897 kg/trip/boat), catfish (≈554 kg/trip/boat), miscellaneous species (≈530 kg/trip/boat) and big croaker (≈498 kg/trip/boat) were the dominant groups among the 26 major fish groups landed at Dholai. Gillnet landings included commercially important species such as Tenualosa ilisha, Eleutheronema tetradactylum and Scomberomorus commerson. Monthly Shannon diversity ranged from 1.737 in April 2026 to 2.273 in December 2025, while Margalef richness ranged from 1.890 in November 2025 to 2.359 in December 2025. Evenness varied from 0.584 in April 2026 to 0.763 in September 2025. Most fish landings are transported to fish processing units in Bombay or Veraval, while a proportion of the landing is sold locally in fresh or iced condition. The findings provide a baseline benchmark dataset on the composition and seasonal pattern of finfish landings and the family-wise contribution of various fish groups at Dholai Fishing Harbour. These data may support ecological monitoring and the formulation of sustainable, data-driven fisheries management policies along the Gujarat coast. The dominance of predatory fishes may help marine biologists monitor the health of the local food web and track shifting migration patterns along the Arabian Sea. The study may also help fisheries managers implement species-specific mesh-size regulations, particularly for gillnetters.
Keywords: Finfish diversity, Dholai Fishing Harbour, Gujarat coast, trawl catch, gillnet landings, relative abundance, species occurrence, Shannon diversity, Margalef richness, Pielou evenness, trophic status, conservation status