Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, March 2014

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) have an established collaborative arrangement where NaFIRRI provides technical back‐stopping to enable quarterly environment monitoring of the cage site as a mandatory requirement of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The agreed study areas are selected physical‐chemical factors (water depth, water transparency/secchi depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and nutrient status), algal community (including primary production), aquatic invertebrates (zooplankton and macro‐benthos) and the fish community. This report presents field observations made during the first quarter (January‐March) field survey undertaken during March 2014; along with scientific interpretation and discussion of the results in reference to possible impacts of the cage facility to the water environment quality and aquatic biota. The

Ornamental fish resources of Manipur: potentials, problems and strategies for development

The study revealed 125 species of fishes in Manipur of which 95 species belonging to 48 genera and 22 families have ornamental value. Fifty percent of these belonged to the family Cyprinidae, 7% to Cobitidae, 5% to Sisoridae 7% to Balitoridae, 3% to Channidae, 8% to Bagridae, 2% each to Chandidae and Mastacembelidae. Species representation in other families (16%) includes 1.6% each in Belonidae, Nandidae, Notopteridae, Psilorhynchidae, Schilbeidae and 0.8% each in Amblydpitidae, Anabantidae, Aplocheilidae, Belonidae,Chacidae, Clupeidae, Mugilidae, Symbranchidae, Siluridae and Tetradontidae. The conservation status of fishes showed that 25.6% of them have not been evaluated, 21.6% are vulnerable, 16.0% are endangered and 2.4% are critically endangered. "Low risk near threatened" category amounted to 25.6% and only 6.4% in "low risk least concern" category. Hence a cautious and regulated approach needs to be adopted while promoting ornamental fish trade. Suitable strategies for developing a viable ornamental fish trade in the state are discussed.

Notes on the fish resources of the Bahuda estuary, Orissa, India

Estuaries form an important site for the zoologist as these are the places known to be very rich in food and nutrients and so, become nesting-cum-breeding grounds for many species and also, own good species diversity. Bahuda estuary of Orissa is located at the inter-state border of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Explored for many invertebrates, this estuary was not properly investigated for its rich fish fauna. Various surveys at Bahuda estuary revealed that it is an important site of study for the faunal diversity of fishes in the east coast. Forty-eight species belonging to 33 genera under eight orders and 22 families were examined referring standard literature· and methods. Most of the groups of fishes encountered are of commercial importance.

A study on rural women's empowerment through participation in aquaculture

The study was undertaken to understand the rural women's (i) extent of participation in some selected aquaculture practices and (ii) extent of empowerment through participation in aquaculture program. Data were collected from 200 selected rural women of two districts - Sherpur and Kishoreganj. Each of the families where the selected rural women who were involved in aquaculture under the supervision of two partner NGOs of DSAP, namely- Foundation for Human Development (FHD) and Center for Rural and Environmental Development (CRED). Both conventional and participatory methods of data collection were employed where structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used as the tools. The data collection procedure took five-months spanning from September 2004 to January 2005. Appropriate scales were developed and used in order to determine the focus variables of the study, while most analyses regarding women empowerment were done using 'before' and 'after' method. Empowerment of women was measured by five dimensions such as decision making ability, spending ability, social participation, cosmopoliteness, access to assets and resources. The ten selected aquaculture practices were: fish feeding, eradication of aquatic vegetation from fish pond, disease detection, application of fertilizer, liming, harvesting of fry and fish, fish stock management, pond excavation, use of insecticides, and sale of fry and fish. The study also aimed at determining some selected characteristics of rural women and determining relationship between their extent of empowerment and the selected characteristics. The characteristics of rural women included: age, personal education, average family education, family size, family farm size, area under aquaculture, extension media exposure, training exposure, knowledge in aquaculture, and family income. The findings revealed an overall low level of participation by rural women in aquaculture activities. However, significant level of improvement was identified regarding overall status of empowerment during the course of participation in aquaculture program under DSAP.

Estimation of fishery resources by sonar surveys

The methodology adopted by the Pelagic Fishery Project, Cochin for surveying the surface fish schools with sonar equipment, is described. The estimates of the biomass arrived at from the surveys conducted during 1975-78 are presented.

On the resources of demersal fishes for bottom trawling in inshore waters off Kakinada by small mechanised boats

An attempt is made to assess the available resources of demersal fishes for bottom trawling off Kakinada, in inshore waters. From the experimental fishing operation during 1964-66, the average catch per hour was 52.79 kg for 9.13 m (30') OAL mechanised boat. The catch composition was dominated by prawns and sciaenids forming 45% of the total catch. The average catch per trawling hour was more during the quarter April - June. An assessment on productive depth range has indicated that catch rate is increasing with increase in the depth of fishing.

Ecology of Indian estuaries-XI. A preliminary survey of the fishery resources of the Ashtamudi estuarine system

The fish fauna of the Ashtamudi, the second largest estuarine system in Kerala (8°53'-9°02' N Lat. and 76°31'-76°41' E Long.) is listed. 97 species belonging to 39 families have been recorded, ofwhich69 are commercially important contributing to the fisheries of the Ashtamudi Estuary. Mullets, cichlids and the glassy perchlets are the most abundant groups and contribute appreciably to the landings. Results revealed that the estuarine system supports a good capture fishery which is seasonal. Majority of the fish fauna in the estuary are marine elements recruited from the adjoining Arabian Sea. An inventory of the craft and gear employed is presented and the sources of pollution in the estuarine system are described, aquacultural prospects of this area are discussed.

Observations on the fish and prawn seed resources of the Gulf of Kutch and their utilization in aquaculture

The characteristics of the fish and prawn seed resources of the Gulf of Kutch are described. Results of experiments conducted in a primary low saline reservoir of a solar salt works to study their utility for aquaculture are reported. The prospective role of aquaculture in augmenting fish production along the coast is also discussed.

Stock assessment of the demersal offshore fishery resources off the Karnataka coast

The total biomass of the demersal stocks in the depth range of 30-200m between 12°401 and 15°N latitudes in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone is estimated to be a:round 1,23,000 metric tons (t). There is scope for doubling the present catch of about 40,000 t from demersal resources by extending exploitation to 50-200m depth zone. About 78% of this increase is expected to come from four species, namely, Nemipterus japonicus, Priacanthus macracanthus, Saurida tumbil and Arius spp.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azotobacter sp. in aquatic sediment

Non-symbiotic, free living, nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azotobacter sp. was estimated in sediments of estuarine, marine, backwater and mangrove environments of Portonovo. Number of colony forming units (CFU) of Azotobacter sp. was less (5 to 27 cells/g of dry sediment). CFU of total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), actinomycetes and fungi were between 4.1x10 super(6) and 4.5x10 super (7), 0.8x10 super(5) and 4.9x10 super(5), 1.1x10 super(5) and 3.8x10 super(5)/g respectively. Mangrove sediments contained more CFU of the above microbial groups.

Environmental impact of wild shrimp seed collection with non-selective gears on coastal aquatic biodiversity

Collection of wild tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) seed with non-selective gears and its impact upon the coastal aquatic biodiversity has been investigated. Loss of undesired species as by-catch was estimated to be 1,075 individuals for collection of every desired shrimp seed which amounted to be 132 billion in a study area stretching 3 km long coastline of the Sagar Island under the Sunderban Biosphere, West Bengal, India. Non-penaeid shrimp seed and crab larvae accounted to be maximally destroyed as their overall contribution towards the by-catch were 56.5% and 29.44%, respectively. Though, rate of bycatch loss was found to be inversely correlated with the rate of shrimp seed collected per gear (r=-0.82, p<0.05) during the peak season (May-September), the overall relationship between them exhibited a linear relationship (r=0.73, p<0.05). By-catch loss for every shrimp seed collection tended to increase up to a daily collection of 2,500 numbers of shrimp seeds per gear followed by a decline. Coastal aquatic community was maximally damaged when the heterogeneity and stability as reflected by different diversity indices were higher.

Performance in managing marine resources in the Bay of Bengal

The eight member countries were assessed as to their sustainable use of resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones(EEZs). Indicators included; investment in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), impact of trawling, mariculture sustainability, protection of seabirds and marine mammals,ecosystem impacts, economic health and levels of reporting and compliance.

Report of the regional workshop in transboundary aquatic animal health issues, Bangkok, Thailand, 12-13 January, 2012

This workshop was implemented as part of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA). The main focus was on the shrimp and fish aquaculture sectors and addressed issues such as aquatic animal health and transfers of aquatic animals and plants.

Report of the procedures and methods for continuing assessment of the status of the Hilsa resources

The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) sampled length frequency data, reviewed historical catch and effort data and sampled water quality to asses the status of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) resources. BFRI conducted a training course for BOBLME members. They also prepared awareness building materials for use in workshops for hilsa fishers.

Survey of shark fisheries and preparation of a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for conservation and management of shark resources in Bangladesh

The report presents; terms of reference; work progress; surveys of shark fishers and traders; shark biodiversity survey; and a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for conservation and management of shark resources in Bangladesh.