Fisheries profile mapping of coastal districts in Maharashtra state through GIS

In recent times, GIS is being increasingly used as a decision support system for management of fisheries and aquaculture. It provides new innovative approaches of the dynamic relations that characterize this sector. In this context, a study is conducted based on the secondary data of a major maritime state, Maharashtra, where mapping of fisheries profile of coastal districts in the state is performed through GIS tool having critical geographic dimensions. This paper aims to map information of the state which can be used for the purpose of planning and decision making as each aspect of map has a different component involved. For this purpose, at the core of the system, the data were accessed and integrated from different sources mainly from the five coastal districts of Maharashtra state. Data were brought in tabular form through Microsoft Excel and then joined to Map info Professional version 8.0 GIS software was used with the digitized map of Maharashtra state to enable mapping. This was further synchronized and integrated to generate four thematic maps searchable on several criteria. Map 1 contains the searchable criteria as regards to the fish growth for the year 1997-2004 and fish seed production for the year 2003-04. Map 2 contains fisher population along with their occupation for the year 1992. Map 3 contains brackish water and shrimp farming production and culture area. Map 4 contains infrastructural facilities which include type of boats etc. With this mapping, planners and various stakeholders have accessible information as regards to the various components of fisheries in the state of Maharashtra.

Socioeconomic effects of intensive cage culture

The paper discusses the socioeconomic effects of intensive aquaculture which is in conflict with other forms of coastal development, such as industrial development, natural fisheries, tourism and recreation, and nature conservation.

Culture systems categorized: The fundamentals

The article presents the three basic categories of culture systems: open, semiclosed and closed systems. Open system culture generally refers to fish farming in natural bodies of water such as oceans, bays, estuaries, coastal lagoons, lakes or rivers. Semiclosed systems are those in which the culture water makes one pass through the system and is discharged. These are referred to as flow-through or once-through systems. The raceway falls into this category. Closed systems are those where the water is recondtioned and recirculated to culture units. These are also called the closed recirculating systems.

Milkfish culture in the Philippines

The article discusses the development of milkfish aquaculture industry in the Philippines. The impact of milkfish aquaculture to the environment, the different farming techniques and its economic aspects are also discussed.

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.

Modifications in bangus culture

The article presents the milkfish aquaculture techniques in the Philippines modified from the traditional method. These are modular method and silo method, methods on eliminating snails, fertilizer-water replenishment scheme, supplemental feeding and the stunting of fingerlings are also presented.

The basics of cage and pen culture

The article discusses the basics of cage and pen aquaculture. Factors to consider are: site selection; choice of nets, floats, frames, and anchors; and the choice of culture method.

Cage culture of sea bass in Malaysia

The article discusses the cage culture practice of sea bass (Lates calcarifer) in Malaysia. Problems on feed and seed supply and overcrowding are also discussed. Despite these problems, seabass cage culture still continuously booms.

Pearl culture in abalone

The article discusses pearl culture in abalone which is commonly carried out in Japan, Korea, Canada, and the United States. Abalone pearl formation is also discussed.