Changes in mass balance of South Cascade Glacier, North Cascades, 1959 to 1994

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): Annual, winter, and summer mass balance measurements at South Cascade Glacier in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington State constitute a continuous time series 36 years long, from 1959 to 1994. ... The long-term trends at South Cascade Glacier are decreased winter accumulation and increased summer ablation, neither of which is conducive to glacier growth, so the trend in the Pacific Northwest is clearly away from an ice-age type of climate at the current time. The data also demonstrate that a glaciologically significant long-term change in snow precipitation can occur rapidly, in as short an interval as 1 year, much more rapidly than changes in temperature.

Interannual to decadal time-scale variations in glacier mass balance [abstract]

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): The mass balance of glaciers depends on the seasonal variation in precipitation, temperature, and insolation. For glaciers in western North America, these meteorological variables are influenced by the large-scale atmospheric circulation over the northern Pacific Ocean. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between mass balance at glaciers in western North America and the large-scale atmospheric effects at interannual and decadal time scales.

Mass breeding of silver carp in a cement cistern with crude H.C.G.

The paper presents a resume on experiments carried on mass breeding of the silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in a cement cistern through administration of crude human chorionic gonadotropin. The experiments proves that human chorionic gonadotropin (H.C.G.) can be used for mass breeding of the fish in simple enclosures, with facilities of some input and output of water and a dose of 5 mg/kg and 18 mg/kg of body weight, for males and females respectively are required for the purpose. Observations were made by using pituitary glands in similar way. For successful breeding of about 80 kg female together, the expenditure towards cost of pituitary gland and H.C.G. are respectively 275 and 117 Rs.

A note on mass mortality of fish in Shivpur Talab (Madhya Pradesh)

Shivpur Talab is a perennial tank in Hoshangabad district (Madhya Pradesh) having a maximum water spread of 4 ha. It is rainfed and also draws water from a close by Tawa canal. On 21st May 1985 heavy mortality of fish was noticed in the tank. The talab was stocked with fingerlings Catla catla, Cyprinus carpio and Labeo rohita approximately one year before the date of mortality. Scientific investigation revealed that mass mortality of fish occurred due to reduction in water area of the tank which in turn brought out oxygen depletion. The paper deals with the factors which brought about mass mortality of fish in Shivpur Talab.

Observations on the mating behavior, spawn mass and larval development of Hydatina physis Linne, 1758 (Cephalaspidea: Hydatinidae) from Karachi

Reproduction of Hydatina physis was studied in a population from Karachi, Pakistan, including mating and egg laying behavior, spawn characteristics and development.Individuals first appear in the field in October and remain until March. The spawning occurs from mid-November till mid-February with a peak in December. During this period the individuals were also observed pairing. In captivity, mating lasts for 30 minutes, second mating occurs two days later. Oviposition occurs in a very interesting and unusual manner. The mother turns "up-side-down" with its food fully expanded and the shell completely hidden underneath, the expanded foot serves as protective cover to the eggs. Eggs are deposited in a complexly folded mass with a short stem and an adhesive disc. Capsules, arranged in a single layer, contain 4-6 eggs each of wich is 70 um in diameter. Development is planktotrophic and veligers hatch after 14 days at a temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius.

Standardisation and mass production of shrimp trawlers and other fishing boats in India

This paper deals with the existing fishing crafts, new vessel types, boat building programmes, their standardisation and mass-production in India.

Studies on transportation of fish. Pt. 1. Packaging of frozen fish in insulated containers

The paper deals with certain technological aspects of transportation of fish. Frozen fish packed in thermocole insulated plywood box (tea chests) and transported has been found to remain in good condition, for 3 to 4 days. Fish reaching the destination in a thawed state can be stored in crushed ice for a further period of 2-3 days. The effect of initial temperature of frozen fish on the storage life, the maximum storage period for different types of frozen fish packed in the insulated container and the changes in chemical and organoleptic qualities of different varieties of fish under condition of transport are also discussed.

Transportation of fish in India: problems and prospects

India has a long coast line of about 4,800 km along which fish landing centers are scattered. Fish catches are showing an upward trend consequent on rapid mechanization of fishing crafts. Economic utilization of the landed fish is an essential prerequisite for the proper development of Indian fishing and fish processing industries.

Post-larval production of Macrobrachium rosenbergii using mass-cultured live food organisms

Macrobrachium rosenbergii post-larvae were produced in 1992 and 1993 using Artemia nauplii and cultured zooplankton Brachionus plicatilis (rotifier), Apocyclops dengizicus (copepod) and Moina sp. (cladoceran) supplemented with chopped Tubifex worms. In 1992 (first trial) two experiments were carried out under water temperature range of 24.5 to 28°C and 26.0 to 28.5 °C respectively and corresponding post-larval production was 5.6% and 86.3%. The duration of experiments was 58 and 40 days. During second trial in 1993 water temperature varied between 25.0 to 27.0°C. At the end of 59 days the post-larvae were found to be 44% of the total number of larvae stocked on the first day.

Present status of harvesting, transportation and marketing of freshwater Small Indigenous Species of Fish (SIS) of Bangladesh

A survey conducted to evaluate the present status of harvesting, transportation and marketing of freshwater SIS of Bangladesh showed that among the 56 to 73 species of small indigenous fish species (SIS), mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), dhela (Osteobrama cotio cotio), puti (Barbodes sarana), tit puti (Puntius ticto), tengra (Mystus vitatus), chapila ( Gudusia chapra), batashi (Pseudotropius atherinoides), buzuri tengra (Mystus tengra), katchki (Corika soborna), gol chanda (Chanda ranga), lamba chanda (Chanda nama), phul chela (Chela phulo) and lata (Channa punctatus) are the most common. But the abundance of the mola, puti, tengra, batashi and chapila are higher than the other SIS species. Puti was at the top of the list in percentage abundance (7-9%), followed by mola (7-8%), tengra 6-7% and chapila 5-6% in all the investigated areas. Three levels of market or marketing systems were observed in the distribution channel of fish trade: primary, secondary/higher secondary and final consuming markets. Primary market is the catching point in the rural area. In secondary market, the collectors bring the fish from primary market to the landing ghats, usually to the nearest thana market or at a place well linked by rivers, road and rail transport. On purchasing the fish from the higher secondary market, the paikars sell the fish to the retailers who take it to the final consumer market. Different types of crafts and gears are used for catching the SIS in Bangladesh. Monofilament gill nets (20%), traps and line nets (25%) and seine nets (25%) are the dominant gears in respect of the total catch followed by lift net (10%) and cast net (20%). A total of 10 types of gear are listed according to their mode of operation which used for catching SIS. The processors in consumer market received higher marketing profit followed by primary market and secondary market, respectively.

Investigations on long distance transportation of fish. 3. Field trials with a dismantlable insulated galvanised iron container

The paper communicates the results of field trials conducted with a dismantlable insulated galvanised iron container designed and fabricated by the first two authors in their laboratory. Different varieties of fishes and different types of packing, namely, fresh iced, chilled iced and frozen were employed in the transportation experiments which were conducted from Kakinada to Howrah, Kakinada to New Delhi and Paradeep to Howrah. In all the experiments the container performed exceedingly well and has still remained in very trim condition.

Investigations on long distance transportation of fish. 4. A comparative study of the performance of expanded polystyrene slabs and multi-layer gunny (jute) fabric as insulants

A comparative study of the insulation efficiencies of expanded polystyrene slabs and multi-layer gunny fabric in long distance transportation of fresh iced fish was made. Used plywood boxes (second hand tea chests) were employed as containers and the experiments conducted between Kakinada and Calcutta. All the three insulants tried, namely, 25.4 mm thick expanded polystyrene slab, four and two layer gunny (jute) fabric, all sealed in 150 gauge polythene sheets, showed comparable insulation efficiencies, considering total bacterial counts, organoleptic qualities and TMA and TVN values of the transported fish as parameters.

Shifting rice farming to fish culture in some selected areas of Mymensingh, Bangladesh: the process, conflicts and impacts

The evolutionary process of converting low-lying paddy fields into fish farms and its impact on agrarian communities in some selected areas of Mymensingh district were studied. This study was conducted through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) covering 12 villages from each of selected upazillas viz. Fulpur and Haluaghat of Mymensing [sic] district. A total of 12 PRA sessions were conducted where 90 farmers participated during 29 July to 26 August 2004. It is seen that the use of low-lying paddy fields was mostly confined to Broadcast Aman (B. Aman) rice production until 1960s. With the introduction of modern rice farming technology, the farmers started to produce Boro rice in Rabi season and B. Aman rice in Kharif season. With the passage of time, aquaculture technologies have been evolved and the farmers realized that fish farming is more profitable than rice cultivation, and then they started to utilize their paddy fields for alternate rice-fish farming and rice-cum-fish farming. Now a days, aquaculture based crop production system is in practice in more than 25% of the low-lying paddy fields. Conversion of rice fields in to fish ponds has brought up a change in the livelihood patterns of the rural farmers. The areas where the farmers involved themselves in the new production systems were fingerling collection, transportation and marketing of fry and fingerlings. During 1960s to 1970s, a few people used to culture fish in the permanent ponds for their own consumption, the species produced were rohu, catla, mrigal, ghainna, long whiskered catfish, freshwater shark (boal), snake head (shol) etc. Small fishes like climbing perch, stinging catfish, walking catfish, barb, minnows etc. were available in the rice fields during monsoon season. In 1980s to mid 1990s, some rice fields were converted into fish ponds and the people started to produce fish for commercial purposes. When rice-fish farming became profitable, a large number of people started converting their rice fields in to rice-fish culture ponds. Culture of some exotic fishes like silver carp, tilapia, grass carp, silver barb etc. also started in the paddy fields. Higher income from fish farming contributed positively in improving the housing, sanitation and education system in the study areas. It is seen that the medium and medium high lands were only used for alternate rice fish farming. The net income was high in any fish based cropping system that motivated the farmers to introduce fish based cropping system in the low-lying inland areas. As a result, the regional as well as communal income disparities occurred. However, the extraction of ground water became common during the dry period as the water was used for both rice and fish farming. Mass conversion of paddy fields into rice-fish culture ponds caused water logging in the study areas. In most cases, the participated farmers mentioned that they could be easily benefited by producing fish with T. Aman or only fish during the monsoon season. They agreed that this was an impressive technology to them and they could generate employment opportunities throughout the year. Finally, the social, economic and technical problems which are acting as constraints to rapid expansion of fish production system were reported from the interviewee.

Investigations on long distance transportation of fish. 5. Transportation of filleted and round seer fish (Scomberomorus sp.) from Kakinada to Calcutta by rail

Iced seer fish (Scomberomorus sp.) was transported by rail in expanded polystyrene insulated plywood boxes from Kakinada to Calcutta in round and fillet forms. While both withstood the rigors of transportation squarely, the fillets fetched only half the price of round fish in the auction conducted at the Calcutta market.

Transportation of fish - 3. Biochemical changes in fish during transportation in insulated containers

The changes in the biochemistry of different varieties of iced fish during transportation in thermocole lined second hand tea chests from Veraval to Bombay and Delhi are discussed. The moisture increased for all the varieties except for eel and hilsa at Bombay. TMAN and TVN increased in all cases. Maximum increase of TMAN and TVN was observed in seer fish.