Fecundity, egg deposition, and mortality of market squid (Lolilgo opalescens)

Loligo opalescens live less than a year and die after a short spawning period before all oocytes are expended. Potential fecundity (EP), the standing stock of all oocytes just before the onset of spawning, increased with dorsal mantle length (L), where EP = 29.8L. For the average female squid (L of 129 mm), EP was 3844 oocytes. During the spawning period, no oogonia were produced; therefore the standing stock of oocytes declined as they were ovulated. This decline in oocytes was correlated with a decline in mantle condition and an increase in the size of the smallest oocyte in the ovary. Close agreement between the decline in estimated body weight and standing stock of oocytes during the spawning period indicated that maturation and spawning of eggs could largely, if not entirely, be supported by the conversion of energy reserves in tissue. Loligo opalescens, newly recruited to the spawning population, ovulated about 36% of their potential fecundity during their first spawning day and fewer ova were released in subsequent days. Loligo opalescens do not spawn all of their oocytes; a small percentage of the spawning population may live long enough to spawn 78% of their potential fecundity. Loligo opalescens are taken in a spawning grounds fishery off California, where nearly all of the catch are mature spawning adults. Thirty-three percent of the potential fecundity of L. opalescens was deposited before they were taken by the fishery (December 1998−99). This observation led to the development of a management strategy based on monitoring the escapement of eggs from the fishery. The strategy requires estimation of the fecundity realized by the average squid in the population which is a function of egg deposition and mortality rates. A model indicated that the daily total mortality rate on the spawning ground may be about 0.45 and that the average adult may live only 1.67 days after spawning begins. The rate at which eggs escape the fishery was modeled and the sensitivity of changing daily rates of fishing mortality, natural mortality, and egg deposition was examined. A rapid method for monitoring the fecundity of the L. opalescens catch was developed.

Does the California market squid (Loligo opalescens) spawn naturally during the day or at night? A note on the successful use of ROVs to obtain basic fisheries biology data

The California market squid (Loligo opalescens Berry), also known as the opalescent inshore squid (FAO), plays a central role in the nearshore ecological communities of the west coast of the United States (Morejohn et al., 1978; Hixon, 1983) and it is also a prime focus of California fisheries, ranking first in dollar value and tons landed in recent years (Vojkovich, 1998). The life span of this species is only 7−10 months after hatching, as ascertained by aging statoliths (Butler et al., 1999; Jackson, 1994; Jackson and Domier, 2003) and mariculture trials (Yang, et al., 1986). Thus, annual recruitment is required to sustain the population. The spawning season ranges from April to November and spawning peaks from May to June. In some years there can be a smaller second peak in November. In Monterey Bay, the squids are fished directly on the egg beds, and the consequences of this practice for conservation and fisheries management are unknown but of some concern (Hanlon, 1998). Beginning in April 2000, we began a study of the in situ spawning behavior of L. opalescens in the southern Monterey Bay fishing area.

Fishery dynamics of the California market squid (Loligo opalescens), as measured by satellite remote sensing

Novel data on the spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort and population abundance are presented for the market squid fishery (Loligo opalescens) in the Southern California Bight, 1992−2000. Fishing effort was measured by the detection of boat lights by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS). Visual confirmation of fishing vessels by nocturnal aerial surveys indicated that lights detected by satellites are reliable indicators of fishing effort. Overall, fishing activity was concentrated off the following Channel Islands: Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Catalina. Fishing activity occurred at depths of 100 m or less. Landings, effort, and squid abundance (measured as landings per unit of effort, LPUE) markedly declined during the 1997−98 El Niño; landings and LPUE increased afterwards. Within a fishing season, the location of fishing activity shifted from the northern shores of Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands in October, the typical starting date for squid fishing in the Bight, to the southern shores by March, the typical end of the squid season. Light detection by satellites offers a source of fine-scale spatial and temporal data on fishing effort for the market squid fishery off California, and these data can be integrated with environmental data and fishing logbook data in the development of a management plan.

The future of shrimp processing industry in India

The future of the shrimp industry in India depends entirely on our export markets. Therefore the future of the industry must be related to the demand for shrimps in foreign markets. The most important market today for India is the United States. In the United States the domestic production of shrimps which was about 112 million pounds in 1950 has increased only slightly to 139.6 million pounds in 1965. However the consumption during the same period increased from 119.5 million pounds to 274.2 million pounds - the gap between home production and consumption is made up by imports.

Microbiological quality of some iced fishes of Imphal market, Manipur

Imphal is the main marketing centre of fish in Manipur. As fish production of the state is not sufficient to meet the demands, about 120 metric tons of iced fishes are annually brought from other states and sold in this market. Microbiological quality of iced Wallago attu, Labeo rohita, L. gonius and Aorichthy aor in respect of total fungal count (TFC), total plate count of bacteria (TPC), Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms, Streptococci, Staphylococcus, Salmonella and Escherichia coli in four tissues (skin, muscle, gill and intestine) were analysed. In all cases, the counts were highest in the gills and lowest in the muscles. The values of TFC, TPC, coliforms, Streptococci and Staphylococci were 0-10³/g 10(sup)6-10⁸/g, 2-α/g, 10-10⁵/g, 10-10⁵/g respectively. E. coli and Salmonella were not detected in any of the samples while the ice used in the preservation contained 10⁵-10⁷ of TPC per gram. The microbiological qualities of the iced fishes of Imphal market were adjudged poor. The extremely high counts of bacteria might be due to (1) poor quality and left over fishes being packed, (2) contact with contaminated ice and (3) repeated thawing and freezing during the process of marketing and transportation.

Survey on the quality of Jaadi available [in] Sri Lankan market

A quality of survey was conducted at the fish curing yards in a northwest coast and the southern coast in Sri Lanka. A total of 40 samples different varieties of fishes were collected from the market and jaadi curing yards and all were evaluated for the quality, fungal and insect infestation. Samples were analyzed for proximate composition chemical, microbiological and sensory quality. Thirty percent of the total analyzed samples of fish were found to be unfit for consumption. Samples collected from Negombo were found to the infected with maggots. Only 42% samples had dry matter above 50%. All the samples showed a protein content above 20%. The highest protein content was 27.92% in hurulla. Over 90% of the samples had TVN at acceptable quality limits (>40). The TBC for 33% of the samples were in the range 104-105/g range, while 48% were in the range of 107-108/g due to contamination of maggots and fungi. The Survey showed jaadi had a high level of protein in its composition. But defects of curing process such on imperfect cleaning inadequate salting resulted in low (Chemical and microbiological) quality of the product.

Isolation of Salmonella larochelle for the first time in India

The isolation of a new serotype, S. larochelle (6, 7: eh:1, 2), is reported in this communication. This serotype has not so far been reported from any source in this country. The serotype was isolated on November 27th, 1979 at Bombay from a market sample of frozen frog legs intended for domestic consumption.

Prices on Indian frozen shrimp in U.S. market: a note on seasonal variation

The supply and consumption of shrimp follow a more or less regular seasonal pattern. Like agricultural products, fishery products have also their period of heavy and less productions on which depend their price movements. The prices of shrimp in any particular market reflect this seasonal behaviour quite often.

Quality of certain ready-to-eat fish products of the domestic trade

Quality of 181 samples of ready-to-eat fish products comprising fried fish, fish curry and fish/prawn pickles collected from Cochin and Calicut were studied. Salmonella was absent in all the samples. V. cholerae was tested in the samples collected at Cochin and was absent in all the cases. Coliforms, E. coli, faecal streptococci and coagulase-positive staphylococci were present in some of the samples studied. The study indicated the necessity to improve the sanitary and hygienic conditions of the hotels engaged in the preparation of these products. The study further indicated that fried fish and fish curry shall not be served after 6 hours of their preparation. Added care is to be exercised in the selection of shrimps and fish for the preparation of pickles.

Status and prospects of mackerel and tuna fishery in Bangladesh

Present status and future prospects of mackerel and tuna fisheries in Bangladesh were assessed during July 2003-June 2004. The work concentrated on the fishing gears, length of fishes, total landings and market price of the catch and highlighted the prospects of the fishery in Bangladesh. Four commercially important species of mackerels and tuna viz. Scomberomorus guttatus, Scomberomorus commerson, Rastrelliger kanagurta, and Euthynnus affinis were included in the study. About 95% of mackerels and tuna were caught by drift gill nets and the rest were caught by long lines (4%) and marine set-bag-net (1%). Average monthly total landing of mackerels and tunas was about 264 t, of which 147 t landed in Cox's Bazar and 117 t in Chittagong sites. Total catches of the four species in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong sites were found to be 956 and 762 t, respectively. The poor landing was observed during January-February and the peak landing was in November and July. Gross market value of the annual landing of mackerels and tunas (1,718 t) was found to be 1,392 latch taka. Nevertheless, the mackerel and tuna fisheries in Bangladesh are increasingly contributing to the marine fish production of the country and have very good potential for further expansion for both domestic and export market.

Product development: market depends on good processing

The article presents the harvesting techniques, and handling and processing of cultured carps. Carps are harvested similarly with all other species in tropical countries while temperate countries, winter season is much considered. Water quality is an important factor to be considered because it can affect the hygienic and organoleptic quality of fish. Carps were commonly sold live, filleted, cut into sticks, frozen, used as breaded sticks, canned, bottled, and smoked.

Value-added shrimp product is tops: market potential

The article discusses the potential for export of value-added shrimp products from developing countries. European Economic Community is considered to be one of the top consumers, while Thailand and India are two of the top producers.