Energy pathways in the Laccadive Sea (Lakshadweep)

Abstract

Energy components of the Laccadive Sea include phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus. Of these, the detritus contributes most of the energy (97%). Large quantities of detritus, may this greater than phytoplankton and zooplankton in the upper 250 m layer, include microbial flakes, organic aggregates, remains of phytoplankton and zooplankton and faecal pellets. Caloric content of suspended detritus is fairly high and similar to that of other water masses. Annual harvestable yield of the Laccadive Sea has been estimated from the total energy contributed by phytoplankton and zooplankton and it is concluded that Laccadive Sea can support fishery many times greater than what is exploited.