Stricter norms needed to protect �Miss Kerala�

KOCHI: The efforts by the State Government to protect Puntius denisonii, the fresh water fish popularly known as `Miss Kerala, may not be sufficient to save the endangered species, suggests a recent study.



The study conducted by Liya Jayalal, research scholar at the School of Industrial Fisheries, Cusat, along with Professor A Ramachandran of the School of Industrial Fisheries, Cusat, indicates the possibility of the fish being illegally exported under the group name barb.



The government has been making efforts to protect Puntius denisonii, which is highly sought-after in the international aquarium trade due to to its exquisite beauty. In November 2008, the government as part of its efforts to save the fish species from extinction, had brought in certain restrictions on catching the fish and had banned the export of the fish with length below 10 cms.



The study `Impact of Government Notification on the Conservation of Puntius denisonii pointed out that after the government imposed the restrictions, there was a substantial decrease in the export of the fish.



However, in a matter of serious concern, the study suggested that there is a higher possibility of the fish being exported under the group name barb.



\"The finding was made based on a study analysing the trends in the rate of the export of denisonii and barb before and after the notification was issued. A substantial increase in the export of barb can be seen after the notification,\" said the researchers.