Deep coral and associated species taxonomy and ecology: (DeepCAST) II Expedition Report, Roatan, Honduras, May 21-28, 2011

NOAA has a mandate to explore and understand deep-sea coral ecology under Magnuson-Stevens Sustainable Fisheries Conservation Act Reauthorization of 2009. Deep-sea corals are increasingly considered a proxy for marine biodiversity in the deep-sea because corals create complex structure, and this structure forms important habitat for associated species of shrimp, crabs, sea stars, brittle stars, and fishes. Yet, our understanding of the nature of the relationships between deep-corals and their associated species is incomplete. One of the primary challenges of conducting any type of deep-sea coral (DSC) research is access to the deep-sea. The deep-sea is a remote environment that often requires long surface transits and sophisticated research vehicles like submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The research vehicles often require substantial crew, and the vehicles are typically launched from large research vessels costing many thousands of dollars a day. To overcome the problem of access to the deep-sea, the Deep Coral and Associated Species Taxonomy and Ecology (DeepCAST) Expeditions are pioneering the use of shore-based submersibles equipped to do scientific research. Shore-based subs alleviate the need for expensive ships because they launch and return under their own power. One disadvantage to the approach is that shore-based subs are restricted to nearby sites. The disadvantage is outweighed, however, by the benefit of repeated observations, and the opportunity to reduce the costs of exploration while expanding knowledge of deep-sea coral ecology.

Effects of animal and plant protein diets on growth of Indian major carp (Labeo rohita Ham.) fingerlings

An experiment was conducted with Labeo rohita fingerlings in an indoor static fish rearing water system of glass made aquaria. Five experimental diets A, B, C, D and E were formulated containing 33% dietary protein level in five treatments each having two replicates containing 12 fingerlings of mean total initial weight of 13.00±0.2g. Sixty days of feeding trial in this experiment showed that fish fed on diet 'A' containing fish meal and diet 'E' containing mixed plant sources protein had significantly highest and lowest growth respectively. However, no significant difference of growth was found in fish fed on diets C and D containing meat and bone meal, and mix of animal protein source diets respectively. The result showed that the apparent protein digestibility (APD) of diets 'A' and 'E' had significantly best and least values respectively. Food conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) ranged between 1.37 to 2.17 and 1.38 to 2.18 respectively. On the basis of observed FCR and PER diets 'A' and 'E' produced significantly highest and lowest growth respectively.

Distribution of mercury in a tropical estuary (India) situated near a chloro-alkali plant

The distribution of mercury in water, sediment and some biological samples of the Rushikulya estuary, east coast of India were assessed during Jan-Dec. 1989. Both the dissolved plus acid leachable mercury contents in water and the sediment mercury discerned conspicuous spatial and seasonal fluctuations. Adsorption on to the suspended particulates was found to be the most likely mechanism for removal of mercury from the water column. Exchange of mercury from sediments to water was observed at high salinities (20-30x10-3). The residual mercury contents in the biological samples revealed that bio-accumulation by bottom-dwelling organisms are higher than the pelagic components.

Design of refrigerated sea water plant for preservation of fish

To study the feasibility of employing refrigerated sea water on board fishing vessels for the preservation of fish, a pilot model has been designed, the details of which are presented in this paper.

A pilot plant for fish protein concentrate

This communication deals with the design aspect and functions of individual pieces of equipment of a pilot plant of fifty kg capacity for the production of fish protein concentrate (FPC) per day. Design is based on a solvent extraction process of wet pressed cake with an azeotropic mixture of hexane and ethyl alcohol. A flow sheet for the process and equipment layout has been indicated.

Pilot plant for production of fish ensilage and the economics of production

This communication describes the design aspect and functions of individual pieces of equipment of a pilot plant for the production of fish ensilage based on lactic acid fermentation process. Details about the equipment, process flow sheet and equipment layout of the pilot plant have been given. An attempt has been made to prepare an estimate of the cost of production of liquid ensilage and solid feed mix.

Ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) leaves as a plant protein source in prawn diets

Penaeus monodon juveniles were fed diets containing fish meal, shrimp head meal and ipil-ipil leaves soaked and unsoaked, local and peruvian varieties. Mean weight gain at the end of 8 wk was significantly highest among those given the diet containing commercial ipil-ipil leaves. Gain in length followed the same pattern as mean weight gains. Among the diets containing ipil-ipil leaves there was a direct relationship in the amount of mimosine in the diet and the survival rate, the lower the amount of mimosine (due to soaking) the higher the survival rate. The Results thus indicate the beneficial effect of the addition of commercial ipil-ipil leaves to the diets of prawns, providing the mimosine content is kept low by soaking. A reduce in costs is also obtained, since 1kg of shrimp head meal or fish costs more than 2 or 4 tons, respectively, than that of ipil-ipil foliage.

Observations on the taxonomy and biology of Lates (Cuvier 1828) in Lake Albert

Both in terms of commercial landings and biological importance, the Nile Perch is one of the most prominent fish in Lake Albert. It can bear considerable further exploitation, is the source of stockings elsewhere, and it is, therefore, important to know whether more than one species is being dealt with, and, if so, what differences there are in the ecology of the different species.

The taxonomy of the genus Synodontis (Pisces: Siluroidea) in Lake Kainji, Nigeria

This paper considers the taxonomy of most of the synodontis spp. present in the main drainage basins of West Africa. The first section consists of a key to the sixteen species known to occur in Lake Kainji. Nigeria. A second section considers species which are reputed to live in the area and therefore might occur in the lake. It is suggested that several of the latter group are synonymous with better known species.