Documentation of Macrofaunal Biodiversity of the Coastal Waters of Alappuzha District, Kerala, and Traditional Environmental Knowledge of Marine Fishers

The Alappuzha district along the Kerala coast is renowned for its abundant fishery resources, which are crucial for supporting the livelihoods of traditional fishers. A comprehensive study was undertaken in the coastal waters of Alappuzha district, which boasts an extensive coastline stretching 82 km from February 2021 to January 2022. One survey utilised a validated questionnaire, and samples representing all marine phyla were collected from fishing harbours, experimental trawling, and coastal and intertidal zones. The research also documented the traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) on marine biodiversity in the district. This knowledge sheds light on the insights of Alappuzha coast fishers regarding marine resources, ecosystems, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. The recorded marine biodiversity from the Alappuzha district includes one species of Annelida, 114 species of Mollusca, 54 species of Arthropoda, one species of Echinodermata, 219 species of fish, and three species of reptiles (two species of turtles and one species of sea snake). Notably, the collection encompasses threatened species such as sharks, sea horses, and marine turtles, with the coast serving as a preferred nesting site for olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).