Alien Fish Vanishing From Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia, where alien fish species had arrived in large number following cyclonic storm Phailin, that hit the State’s coast two years ago, are found to have made their way out of the lake system.

According to findings of studies assigned by Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, Odisha, in association with Chilika Development Authority, after Phailin, the fish catch of the lagoon had gone up significantly and a substantial increase was recorded in catch of exotic fish and fresh water species during Phailin. The high concentration of fish species, Oreochromis mossambicus, was noticed during this time.

Scientists involved in the studies say these indicate that these species must have reached the lagoon in such large quantity by swaying away from other localities.

“While the Ctenopharyngodon idella may not cause much harm to the lake community, entry of Oreochromis mosambicus and Clarius gariepinus had posed a serious threat. However, fortunately it is now observed that these alien species have gradually disappeared from the system and the natives have again colonised within one year,” ICZMP said quoting scientists.

It said the lake ecosystem appeared to be resilient and showed signs of recovery from the sudden in its system subsequent to cyclone Phailin.

“This has attracted the attention of the scientist and the experts around the globe and many institutions have shown interest to study the amazing ecosystem of Chilika Lake. The CDA in collaboration with National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai is now planning to come up with the ecosystem modelling of the lake for better understanding system,” said the project office ICZMP.

On the evening of October 12, 2013, Phailin brought torrential downpour, damaging winds of more than 220 km/h and storm surges of up to 3.5 metre. The land fall was quite close to the lake and it had severe deleterious impact on the lake. Phailin followed by torrential rain brought significant ecological changes in the Chilika ecosystem.

After Phailin, the salinity level of the lake has been dropped which was a major concern as it had major impact on the brackish and marine elements of the lake ecosystem. The seagrass meadows were also completely wiped out. Scientists are now showing their interest to study the natural phenomenon after Chilika Lake has bounced back its earlier days.