A triangulated DPSIR assessment of fisheries sustainability and marine conservation in Pulicat region, India: integrating interview schedule and participatory rural appraisal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.1444Keywords:
Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response, fisheries management, marine conservation, participatory rural appraisal, Pulicat Lagoon, sustainable fisheriesAbstract
Pulicat Lagoon, India's second-largest brackish water lagoon, supports diverse fisheries and coastal livelihoods but has experienced increasing environmental degradation and resource-use pressures. This study assesses the status of marine conservation and fisheries sustainability in Pulicat Lagoon using the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response framework integrated with Participatory Rural Appraisal. A mixed-method sequential explanatory design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 213 fisheries-dependent respondents through a structured interview schedule, while qualitative information was obtained using participatory mapping, seasonal calendar analysis, and problem matrix scoring with three community focus groups. Descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank-order correlation were used for quantitative analysis, and findings from the participatory tools were triangulated with the interview schedule results. The findings indicated that high dependence on fisheries, climate variability, and increasing fishing pressure acted as major drivers of environmental change. Pollution, lagoon-mouth closure, and sedimentation emerged as the principal pressures, resulting in reduced fish availability, reduced juvenile fish observations, lower catch per unit effort, income reduction, and increased livelihood vulnerability. Although most respondents expressed willingness to adopt sustainable fishing practices, weak institutional trust and inadequate enforcement constrained effective fisheries management. The participatory tools validated the quantitative findings while providing additional insights into community priorities and seasonal livelihood dynamics. This study integrating the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response framework with participatory approaches provides a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between environmental degradation, governance, and fisheries livelihoods, supporting the need for integrated, ecosystem-based, and participatory management of Pulicat region.
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The data that support the findings of this study are avail-able on a reasonable request from the corresponding author.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Deepak B., Agnes Daney Angela S., Lloyd Chrispin C., Sudhan C., Arunachalam R., Kanmani S., Sarabes N.J.
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