Impact of dead and sunken water hyacinth on biotic communities, the aquatic environment and socio-economic activities

The mobile water hyacinth, which was produced in growth zones, especially Murchison Bay, was mainly exported to three sheltered storage bays (Thruston, Hannington and Waiya). Between 1996 and May 1998, the mobile form of water hyacinth occupied about 800 ha in Thruston Bay, 750 ha in Hannington Bay and 140 ha in Waiya Bay). Biological control weevils and other factors, including localised nutrient depletion, weakened the weed that was confined to the bays and it sunk around October 1998. The settling to the bottom of such huge quantities of organic matter its subsequent decomposition and the debris from this mass was likely to have environmental impacts on biotic communities (e.g. fish and invertebrate), physico-chemical conditions (water quality), and on socio-economic activities (e.g. at fish landings, water abstraction, and hydro-power generation points). Sunken water. hyacinth debris could also affect nutrient levels in the water column and lead to reduction in the content of dissolved oxygen. The changes in nutrient dynamics and oxygen levels could affect algal productivity, invertebrate composition and fish communities. Socio-economic impacts of dead sunken weed were expected from debris deposited along the shoreline especially at fish landings, water abstraction and hydropower generation points. Therefore, environmental impact assessment studies were carried out between 1998 and 2002 in selected representative zones of Lake Victoria to identify the effects of the sunken water hyacinth biomass

Study of the rocky intertidal communities of central and northern California: Years III and IV

The study objectives are to describe seasonal and successional variation in rocky intertidal community structure; determine the response of rocky intertidal communities to natural and human-induced disturbances and correlate these responses with successional, seasonal, and latitudinal variation; and correlate life history information and oil toxicity data with data from this and other relevant studies. The Year III and IV report is for the third (1987) and fourth (1988) years of a five-year field experimental study investigating two biological assemblages, the Mytilus assemblage and the Endocladia/Mastocarpus papillatus assemblage, that are being studied at six sites along the California coast. Volume I includes the report, Appendix A, and Appendix B. Volume II includes Appendix C. Volume III includes Appendix D. Volume IV includes Appendix E and Appendix F. Volume V includes Appendix G, Appendix H, and Appendix I.

Coastal development and pollution impact on the distribution of macrobenthic communities along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Suez (Egypt)

The configuration for the eastern side of the Gulf of Suez was studied over 241 km from Ras Mohammed to Ras Sudr including 35 station. Litters, tar balls and aged oil patches aggregated in considerable amounts on the beach and shore line of the middle part due to the oil spills from off-shore oil wells. A large reef flat in the shallow intertidal waters exists at stations 1 and 2 (Ras Mohammed, Protected area) and spars coral patches are less frequent at the Stations from 7 to 13. Density and diversity of marine benthos were higher on hard and cobble bottoms compared to muddy sand and sandy substrates. The assemblages of the benthic fauna are dominated by the gastropod Courmya (Thericium) vulgata; the bivalve Brachiodontes variabilis, and the barnacles Chthamalus stellatus, Balanus amphitrite and Tetraclita rubescens. The distribution of the algal cover in the intertidal region shows high abundance of the brown algae, Sargassum latifolium; padina pavonica and Cystoseira trinodis rather than the green and red algae. These species are found in both polluted and unpolluted areas. The changes in benthic structures in the study area depend not only on the state of pollution but also on the type of substrates.

Comparative study of traditional and improved containers for transportation of fresh fish

Traditional bamboo basket and expanded polystyrene insulated plywood box (second hand tea-chest) were compared for transportation of iced marine, fresh water and brackish water fishes from Kakinada to Madras by rail. Quality of fish at dispatching and receiving centres was assessed by organoleptic, total volatile nitrogen (TVN) and total bacterial count (TBC) tests. Based on the results obtained and the prices fetched, the traditional bamboo basket apart from being cheaper was found to be as good as expanded polystyrene insulated plywood box for short distance transportation of iced fish involving less than 24 hours journey.

Training needs of traditional marine fishermen in Kerala

Training needs of 80 fishermen in 25 subject areas revealed a mean training need score of 23.0l; 95% wanted to get trained. The training needs were fairly strong in all subject areas, with the highest demand being for fishery engineering. Training need was also high for areas related to fishery technology. Most of the fishermen preferred to have the training at their own village, and in the months of June or July for an average period of 20.85 days. Education and income were positively related to intensity of training needs whereas age, number of family members, number of employed family members and experience in fishing were negatively correlated with it. These six variables explained 27 of the variance in training need intensity.

Fundamental study on the behavior of milkfish fry for the evaluation of the efficiency of traditional fry collecting gears in the Philippines

The response of Chanos chanos fry to moving and stationary nets of different mesh size and colour, underwater visibility of the nets and water filtration were studied. Results indicate that milkfish fry may be driven by nets of mesh size larger than that presently used; larger mesh size decreases the net resistance in the water so that collectors may move the equipment easily. The large mesh nets should be of a dark colour, preferably black for effective driving; bowever white mosquito net is best for the core end, since the fry are more easily visible on a white background.

Quality assessment of traditional and solar tunnel dried SIS (Small Indigenous Fish Species) products

Studies were conducted to assessment the quality of traditional and solar tunnel dried SIS products. The moisture content of the solar products ranged from 14.38 to 18.48% with the lowest in batashi and the highest value in tengra. The moisture content of the traditional products was in the range of 23.26 to 26.42%. The range of protein contents on moisture free basis was from 67.57 to 71.90% in solar dried fishes with highest value obtained in dhela and lowest value in batashi. These values were more or less similar to those of traditional dried SIS products which were in the range of 68.02 to 73.54% on dry weight basis. Lipid contents of solar dried SIS varied from 14.10 to 16.26% and on moisture free basis the in the range of 11.73 to 21.98 with highest value found in tengra and lowest in puti. These values were more or less similar to those found for traditional dried products on dry weight basis and ranged from were 12.37 to 22.43%. Maximum reconstitution of solar dried products was obtained at 80°C in all samples and was in the range of 65.26 to 70.51% where the percentage of reconstitution increases with the increase of socking time and reach maximum at the end of up to 60 min. The TVB-N content of solar dried fish is low compared with traditional one ranging from 20.30 to 28.40mg/100g and peroxide value in the range of 12. 54 to 19.20meq./kg oil. The TVB-N of traditionally dried products were in the range of 32.50 to 45.45mg/100g and PO values of the traditionally dried products were in the range of 30.00 to 36.00meq./kg oil. The bacterial load of the solar dried products was in the range of 4.0x10 super(3)/g to 3.6x10 super(5)CFU/g and of the traditionally dried products ranged from 1.45x10 super(5) to 2.52x10 super(6) CFU/g.

Quality assessment of traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried small indigenous fish species products

Studies on the quality assessments of three traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried SIS products were conducted. Organoleptic quality of traditional dried SIS products available in the markets was poor compared to those produced in rotary and solar tunnel dryer. Reconstitution of samples were in the range of 54.26% to 75.24%, 69.37% to 83.73% and 55.08% to 80.24% when soaked at 80°C for traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried products, respectively. The percentage of reconstitution increased with the increase of soaking time and the uptake of water was maximum after 60 min of soaking. The moisture contents of traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried products were in the range of 26.02% to 27.33%, 16.23% to 22.84% and 13.71% to 19.30%, respectively. The protein contents were in the range of 60.78% to 72.59%, 62.17% to 76.27% and 61.11% to 76.00%, respectively; lipid contents were in the range of 12.26% to 22.60%, 14.00% to 24.71% and 13.92% to 22.39%, respectively and ash contents in the range of 15.11% to 16.59%, 8.32% to 13.51% and 8.71% to 16.45%, respectively on dry matter basis. The TVB-N content of rotary and solar tunnel dried products was low compared to traditional one ranging from 10.64 to 17.52 mg/100g and 14.34 to 15.68 mg/100g, respectively whereas the TVB-N content of traditional samples was in the range of 15.46 to 20.36 mg/100g. The bacterial load of traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried products were in the range of 1.43x10 super(8) CFU/g to 2.89 x10 super(80 CFU/g, 1.91x10 super(8) CFU/g to 2.84x10 super(8) CFU/g and 1.95x10 super(8) CFU/g to 2.59x10 super(8) CFU/g, respectively. The results of the study indicated that dried fish products from rotary dryer and solar tunnel dryer were found to be of better quality in nutritional and food quality aspects than those of traditional dried products.

Study of seasonal plankton communities changes in the Karoun dam reservoir and their relationship with water quality parameters

This study was under taken at Karoun Lake Dam No.4. (Southwest of Iran). Water samples were collected from March 2012 to February 2013 in three selected silts. Environmental parameters and chlorophyll a concentration were measured, as well as identification and abundance of Phytoplankton communities were studied. According to this study, 30 species of Phytoplankton were identified at four seasons. Most abundance was related to the phyla Bcillariphyta (17 species), Chlorophyta (6 species), Crysophyra (4 species), Dinophyta (2 species) and Cyanophyta (1 species) respectively. The results showed, the maximum rate of chlorophyll a concentration was measured in the warm with minimum level measured in the cold months. The rate of chlorophyll a concentration showed an oligotrophic condition in the lake of karoon 4 dam. positive significant correlation were seen between the parameters of COD,NO3,temperature, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton abundance (P<0.01). The chlorophyll a concentration and phytoplankton community had a significant negative correlation with transparency (-P < 0.01). According to this research, 4 phyla of zooplankton was identified, include Rotifera, Protozoa, Cladocera and Copepoda. Overal 43 species were identified at four seasons. Most abundance was related to the phyla Rotifera (27 species), Copepoda (7 species), Cladocera (5 species) and Protozoa (4 species) respectively. The chlorophyll a concentration, amount of phosphate and zooplankton indicator spesies, showed an oligotrophic condition in the lake of karoon 4 dam. A positive significant correlation was seen between all groups of zooplanktons abundance and temperature, as well as chlorophyll a concentration. (P<0.01) , whereas, there was negative correlation whith no significant between DO and zooplankton communities (P>0.05).

Enhancing capacity of fishing communities for resource management

International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) undertook capacity development in six locations in five countries (India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Thailand). Six workshops were undertaken to help communities develop proposals for the conservation and sustainable uses of fisheries resources.

Indigenous traditional technical knowledge of disease cure and prevention through fish consumption

Our knowledge regarding ethno-medico zoology is scanty and scattered. The present work is an endeavour to collect information on indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) of disease cure through fish consumption, prepare a consolidated report on this aspect and to document our ITK so that in the long run after due verification (by Medical experts), such ITK can be patented. We also suggest for the recognition of the age old tribal medicine and establishment of a national research institute for tribal medicines at suitable place for the welfare of all the human beings.

Traditional bangus culture

The article presents the traditional milkfish culture practices. The different types of culture ponds are classified according to their uses. Pond preparation, stocking density, pond management and harvesting practices are also discussed.

The study and production of fish sauce from Caspian Sea lam fish with traditional fermentation method and microbe and enzyme adding method and identification of important bacteria

Fish sauce is a popular fermented product used in south Asian countries which is made from different small fishes in this research work it was attempted to produce fish sauce from kilka of the Caspian sea, the fish sauce was made from three models of kilka ,such as whole kilka , cooked whole kilka and dressed kilka , each of these models treated it four different fashions of fermentation such as:1- Traditional method, 2- Enzymatic method 3- Microbial method, 4- Mixture of enzyme and microb The results of this investigation showed that time of fermentation for the traditional method was six month, enzymatic method one month, microbial method 3 month and the mixture of enzyme and microb 1 month. The rate of fermentation was least for dressed Kilka, microbial and biochemical changes of Kilka fish sauce were evaluated, total bacterial count was 2.1-6.15 log cfu/ml total volatile nitrogen (TVN) in samples recorded was 250 mg /100g, the amount of protein varied between 10-13 percent, the name of commercial enzymes added was Protamex and Flavourzyme, the bacteria added was L act ob acillus and Pediococous, fish sauce containers fish and 20% salt, temperature of keeping for fermentation was 37 degree c for 6 month.

The long road to freedom: the end of apartheid has signalled a new beginning for women in South Africa’s fisheries but real equality is still a far-off dream

Women in fishing communities are increasingly moving from traditional, community based occupations to seeking employment in the labour market. While this is an opportunity for women, their employment is also largely in the male dominated fishing industry, where job segregation into ‘less skilled and low paid’ jobs for women define employment opportunities. However, engagement as members in local non-government networks help women to challenge these stereotypes. In South Africa, for instance, the recent legislation promoting opportunity for women in male dominated sectors of employment is an opportunity for women to earn wages equal to those of men.

Women in fisheries in Africa

The diverse and productive fisheries in Africa’s coastal countries depend greatly on the contributions of women, who are today increasingly asserting their right to livelihood and support. The 30,490 km of coastline around the African continent is home to many small-scale traditional fishing communities who depend on these shores for their livelihoods. In addition, the continent hosts vast lakes which provide critical sources of food and livelihoods for many inland communities.