Assessment of suitability of a rejuvenated creek in the urban area for cage aquaculture using multi-criteria decision support analysis - A case study from south-east coast of India

This study assessed the suitability of rejuvenated Adyar Creek in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India to develop cage culture based on the seasonal changes in physico-chemical water quality parameters viz., pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, total alkalinity, total hardness, nutrients, metabolites as well as diversity of flora and fauna. The entire area of the creek was found most suitable for cage culture in terms of pH, nitrite, nitrate and phosphate during all seasons. However, the overall suitability assessment found that 65.8 and 27% of the creek area were found most suitable and suitable, respectively. The DO level was lower than optimum in the inlet areas of drainage water and away from the bar mouth. Such sites need to be either avoided for cage culture, or the sandbar of the river needs to be maintained, ensuring smooth water exchange between the estuary and the sea, to safeguard water suitability thoughout the year. This study established the areas feasible for cage culture in the rejuvenated Adyar Creek, based on water quality. This would in turn help to support the local communities and government to strategise and productively utilise brackishwater resources to improve the livelihood of the people inhabiting areas around the creek. Keywords: Cage culture, Creek water, GIS, Physico-chemical parameters, Plankton diversity