Department of Fish Processing Technology, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Thoothukudi 628 008, Tamilnadu, India
*Corresponding author; E-mail: sugumar_mg@yahoo.com Tel: (461)2322354; Fax (461)2340574
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of bacterial flora of samples of water and beach sand collected from four fish landing sites of Thoothukudi was done for one year from June 2003 to May 2004. Although the bacterial counts varied widely in water and sand samples from Thirespuram landing centre, Fishing harbour, South landing centre and Fort beach landing centre, there was no marked seasonal variation. There was no sbignificant relationship between heterotrophic bacterial density and physicochemical parameters (P > 0.05). The dissolved oxygen and ammonia levels varied considerably between landing centers indicating the extent of pollution. Quantitative analysis showed dominance of Gram positive over Gram negative bacteria in all samples except in sand samples from Thirespuram landing centre.
Bacterial population, fish landing site, sand, water
