Threatened species of IUCN red list: Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) with requirement of imperative conservational management from Lower Anicut, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The river of Cauvery has a large network of mighty rivers, tributaries and several crossing channels, offering immense scope for expanding fishery in Tamil Nadu, India. Moreover, 110 species were live and breed in this river. Habitat alterations continue to have major impact on the distribution, abundance of fishes in this river. Fishes of major rivers and feeder streams are perhaps least studied with poorest known natural resources. Family Cyprinidae was represented by the maximum number of species, richness and diversity was high in Lower Anicut. Requirement of the power dams have drastically altered fish habitat, communities and blocked seasonal movement of pristine migratory fishes. On the other hand, catching the juvenile, using the types of net with small mesh size and improper fishing management is going to depletion of the fishery resources. Furthermore, information on the conservation status and distribution of freshwater fish Labeo calbasu in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ (Red List) has been extremely until recently. As a result the dynamiting, poisoning and diverting water flows to collect fish are the major threats. To creating awareness, controlling illegal fishing, juvenile catching and protecting the breeding grounds of fishes are some of the measures were recommended to counter these threats.