A case study on the impact of industrial effluent disposal on the fishery of Amba River estuary, Maharashtra

The impact of waste discharge on fishery resources is a matter of great concern. The accepted norm in all environmental impact assessment studies is to avoid areas of high fishery potential while locating a marine outfall. Contemplating on this aspect a case study was conducted in the Amba River estuary before and after the establishment of a petrochemical complex at Nagothane. The treated wastewater from this complex is released through a subsurface outfall after adopting effective control measures for marine disposal of waste. Experimental trawling was done at five locations covering a distance of 30 km during 1990 to 1991. The catch rate within the estuary varied from 0.6 to 255 kg/h (av 24 kg/h). The trend indicated considerable decrease in fishery potential from the mouth of the estuary (av 64 kg/h) to the upstream location (av 11 kg/h). A total of 49 species of fishes, 16 species of prawns, 7 species of crabs and 1 species of lobster were identified from the collections. Number of species gradually increased from the interior segment at Dharamtar (8) to the outer area near Revas (18). A comparison of the quantitative and qualitative nature of the post outfall and pre outfall data revealed only marginal difference. The study indicates that if necessary precautions are taken to render the waste harmless the marine ecology will hardly be affected.

Recolha de camarões reprodutores vivos da espécie Fenneropenaeus indicus da pesca de arrasto semi-industrial na Baía de Maputo

The collection of wild breeders of the Indian white prawn Fenneropenaeus indicus from two semi-industrial trawlers fishing in Maputo Bay is assessed for the period between August and November 1993. The daily mean catch (12-21 prawns dayˉ¹) increased until October but monthly yields were not significantly different (P>0.05). The monthly mean mortality ranged between 8% and 20% and was similar for males and females. More than 70% of the catch comprised small (grade B1: 20-39 g) and medium size (grade B2: 40-59 g) prawns. While males were exclusively of grade B1 (99%), the females were predominantly of grades B2 and B3 (60-80 g). The collection of larger breeders (grade B4: >80 g) was low and represented only 1% of total catches and a maximum of 3% of females. The net profit of breeders collection increased with size (grade) of prawns, and represented a maximum yield of 114% for grade B3. The added value of live prawns exceeded 450% of the cost to the fisherman, but decreased with size of breeders. It is considered that the semi-industrial trawling fishery operating in Maputo Bay has potential for supplying wild breeders of the Indian white prawn for aquaculture. This activity can also contribute to value adding of part of the catch traditionally destined for human consumption.

Eyes on their fingertips: some aspects of the arts, science, technology and culture of the fisherfolk of Trivandrum, India

Eyes on Their Finger Tips deals with the traditional marine wisdom of a set of people and the rarest of rare experiences they have had at sea. Through these numerous chapters he takes us into the seas of the fishers. It is a voyage which we cannot make in reality. But through the heroic deeds of his father, the riddles of oldman Sebesti, the shark story of brother Kamalappan, and the rituals of his mother, we get a fascinating peep into the wisdom of the watery world of the small-scale fishers of Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

Implications of the industrial fish processing growth for the commercial fishery and fishers in Uganda

The study was undertaken to generate socio-economic information on fish market systems and performance of the industrial processing industry, which will guide the processes leading to modernization of the fisheries sector and, sustainability of Lake Victoria fisheries. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the socio-economic implications of the fish marketing systems with particular emphasis on fish export market in Uganda. The study thus, analysed the socio-economic characteristics of fishers and examinined fish marketing systems and the impacts on the fishing activities, food security, employment opportunities and incomes of fisher-folk communities.