A group of fish taxonomists have called for setting up an electronic database for the indigenous fish species in the country.
They were speaking at the four-day national workshop on integrated taxonomy in fresh water fishes, being organised by Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), said a press release from the University here on Thursday.
Identification
“Electronic database of the species with complete information on their identification and distribution will be much helpful to strengthen the conservation measures of indigenous fish species that are facing threat of extinction”, said A. Bijukumar, Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, Kerala University.
Thee is no sufficient database on the indigenous fish species in the Western Ghats, he was cited as saying in the press release.
An online database will be helpful to emerging taxonomists and fishery scientists to identify the species and its habitat specialities.
Neelesh Dahanukar from Indian Institute of Science Education Research (IISER), Pune, said that Indian taxonomists should come out of the conventional practices and that an integrated approach was required to protect the rich aquatic wealth of the country.
