Utilization of mangrove species in brushpark construction and their effects on Negombo Estuary fishery (Sri Lanka)

Experimental brushparks were constructed in the Negombo Estuary using branches and twigs of six manrove and two non-mangrove species to investigate whether these materials had any effect on fish yielck. It was observed that amongst the manroves, highest yields were obtained with Avicennia marina; lowest yields were with Excoecaria agallocha and Sonneratia caseolaris. The yields from non-mangrove Syzgium corymbosa brushparks were similar to those of the mangrove species A. marina. It is suggestel that utilization of mangrove species such as A. marina, rather than E. agallocha, and non-mangrove species such as S. cumini, could not only maximize yields but also prevent the denudation of mangrove forests.