Abstract:
In this study, on four sampling occasions, i.e., March 2004 (dry season), July and August 2004 (wet season), and December 2004 (inter-monsoon season), and January 2005 (after the tsunami), investigations were made into the total catch of fish from the brush parks of the Negombo lagoon, three to south (Pamunugama area) and three to the east (Katunayake area). During the investigations, thirty-six species of fish were identified from these brush parks, of which twelve were observed common during all sample occasions and sixteen only on one sample occasion. Of them Monodactylus argenteus (si1ver batfish) and Scatophagus argus (spotted butterfish) were common ornamental species of fish in these brush parks. It was also observed that, species that were significantly high in richness were found inore often in the brush parks in the eastern area than in those in the southern area of the lagoon (P<0.001, one-way ANOV A). However, the evenness values formulated in this study reflect that a few species dominate in most parks in the lagoon. While some functional groups of fishes use brush parks as habitats, migratory fishes use them more than those resident in the lagoon, because most migratory fishes are C'\fnivorous and they tend to increase their presence in brush parks than other feeding types of fish. Also, brush parks play an important role as a nursery ground for the juveniles. The highest and the lowest total biomass were observed in the brush parks of the lagoon in March and December 2004 respectively. It was discovered that fish yield or fish· biomass does not vary significantly during the seasons concerned, and therefore, brush park fishery is an effective fishing method in these study areas of the lagoon.
