Arylsulfatase activity in marine polychaetes

Marine polychaetes, collected from the Vellar Estuary exhibited arylsulfatase activity. Lumbriconeries sp. Polydora sp. Monojis sp. and Heteromastus sp. were selected for this study. Of these, Heteromastus sp. showed maximum enzymatic activity and it has been chosen for the enzyme kinetic studies such as pH, optimal temperature, period of incubation and the effect of DDT. Enzyme activity showed single peak at pH 6.2 possibly indicating the presence of one type of arylsulfatase. Maximum activity was attained after 12h of incubation at 29°C. DDT has an inhibiting effect on the arylsulfatase activity even at the concentration of 10 p.p.m. and the activity was completely lost at 100 p.p.m.

Vertical distribution of marine wood boring and fouling organisms from the estuarine areas of the south west coast of India

Vertical distribution of marine wood boring and fouling organisms from three different estuarine areas namely, the Ernakulam channel in the Cochin backwaters, Ayiramthengu in the Kayamkulam Lake and Neendakara in the Asthamudi Lake during the post-monsoon, the pre-monsoon and the monsoon periods is presented. The boring organisms noticed during the present study were Martesia striata, Teredo furcifera, Nausitora hedleyi and Sphaeroma terebrans. The dominant fouling organisms were Balanus amphitrite amphitrite, calcareous worms and Modiolus sp. Algae and diatoms were very common on the sub-tidal panels during the monsoon. The incidence of Teredo, Nausitora and calcareous tube worms were significantly high on the bottom panels. Sphaeroma, Balanus and Modiolus occurred in greater numbers on the intertidal panels.

Photosynthetic bacteria in the marine environment at Porto-Novo

Sediment and water samples were collected from mangrove and estuarine biotopes at fortnightly intervals. The physico-chemical characters of the overlying water were studied. In the mangrove biotope maximum temperature (31.5°C) and in the estuarine biotope maximum salinity (35.6‰) were recorded during the summer season, whereas in post-monsoon period the sulphate content was increased to 516 p.p.m. and the pH was reduced to 7.4. Invariably both in the enriched sediment and water samples four major peaks (at wavelengths 460, 705, 772 and 850 nm) and two minor peaks (at wavelengths 580 and 663 nm) of absorption spectra were noticed. A pure culture of Chromatium sp., isolated from mangroves sediment, showed three peaks of absorption spectra at wavelengths, 500, 580 and 850 nm. The effect of sodium chloride on the growth of Chromatium sp., was also studied and it was observed that maximum growth occurred in the range 1-3% sodium chloride concentration. This isolate was also capable of utilizing various sulphur and carbon compounds. Glycerol and glucose did not show any specific effect whereas pyruvate, malate and acetate increased the growth.

Temporal behaviour of marine landings along coastal Karnataka 1. Relative distribution and secular trends

Landing data of 21 fisheries from Karnataka (quarterly landings for the period 1956 to 1978 and annual landings for the period 1979 to 1981) were analysed to study the te111poral behaviour of the landings. The relative distribution and secular trends in each of the fisheries are reported. On an average, mackerel and oil sardine together account for about 70% of the annual landings. The fluctuation in the landings in all the fisheries was very high with the coefficient of variation attaining a minimum value of 61.53%. The inverse relationship between the landings of oil sardine and mackerel was found to be statistically significant. It is suggested that fishing effort be further increased in fisheries that have demonstrated a rising trend (about 73% of the total annual landings) as also in the case of the fisheries whose trends appear stagnant (about 21% of the annual landings). However, there seems to be some evidence of a need for regulating fishing in Hemirhamphus and Belone, Caranx and penaeid prawns. Regulations need to be made authentic with the help of sufficient information on not merely the fishery but on the whole population.

Temporal behaviour of marine landing in Karnataka 2. Seasonal patterns

Seasonal patterns of 21 fisheries in Karnataka (after isolation from time-series components) are presented. Depending on the pattern of seasonal fluctuation in landings, 19 fisheries have been grouped into five patterns, A, B, C, D and E. Ribbon fishes and 'other clupeids' did not exhibit any significant seasonal pattern. Pattern A with highest landings in the 4th quarter (October to December), followed by the 1, 2 and 3 quarters, is the most common in 10 species/groups (comprising 78% of the total landings). Harmonic analysis has been carried out using the seasonal indices.

Arylsulfatase - producing bacteria in marine sediments

A total of 313 strains of bacteria which hydrolysed tripotassium phenolphthalein disulfate (PDS) were isolated from the sediments of three biotopes, namely, Vellar estuary, backwater and mangrove during the period of investigation. They were identified to the generic level. The following genera were encountered, namely, Vibrio, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Cytophaga-Flavobacterium, Aeromonas, Corynebacterium and members of Enterobacteriaceae. Vibrio and Bacillus were found to be the dominant groups representing 29.26% and 41.80% respectively of the total isolates. Because of the importance of the Vibrio group in marine environment these isolates were further identified to the species level and it included V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, V. consticola, V. anguillarum and V. fischeri. These observations suggest that different groups of arylsulfatase – producing bacteria probably occur in marine sediments.

Temporal behaviour of marine landings along coastal Karnataka 3. Cyclical patterns

Marine landing data for Karnataka during 1956-1978 were subjected to time series analysis and cyclical periodicities isolated in the case of seven fisheries namely, ribbon fish (five year cycle); Caranx spp., Leiognathus spp, and mackerel (six year cycle each); the combined landings of Hemirhamphus spp. and Belone spp.,'Lesser Sardines' and 'Other Clupeids' (seven year cycle each). 'Total' demonstrated an eight-year cyclical periodicity.

Training needs of traditional marine fishermen in Kerala

Training needs of 80 fishermen in 25 subject areas revealed a mean training need score of 23.0l; 95% wanted to get trained. The training needs were fairly strong in all subject areas, with the highest demand being for fishery engineering. Training need was also high for areas related to fishery technology. Most of the fishermen preferred to have the training at their own village, and in the months of June or July for an average period of 20.85 days. Education and income were positively related to intensity of training needs whereas age, number of family members, number of employed family members and experience in fishing were negatively correlated with it. These six variables explained 27 of the variance in training need intensity.

Studies on cultural conditions of marine Chromatium buderi Truper and Jannasch 1968

Photosynthetic characteristics of a purple sulfur bacterium, Chromatium buderi, cultured under different ranges of pH, temperature, light intensities and ammonium chloride concentrations were examined. Maximum bacteriochlorophyll a synthesis was observed at pH 6.5 whereas the optimum growth was at pH 8.0. In general, higher temperature tended to inhibit the chlorophyll a synthesis and growth. 30°C is the optimum temperature both for chlorophyll a synthesis and growth. At 25µE mˉ²Sˉ¹ the bacteriochlorophyll a content and growth attained maximum level. The response to this low light intensity is an adaptation that ensures a high photosynthetic rate for the purple sulfur bacterium that usually occurs in dimly lit environment. Besides these, ammonium chloride at low concentration enhances both chlorophyll a synthesis and growth. Above 0.5% of it causes the nitrogen-chlorosis and also retards the growth of the bacterium. Possible chemical and structural mechanisms involved are discussed.

Pesticide residues in marine fishes

Pesticide residues in four marine fishes, black pomfret (Parastromateus niger), mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), marine vala (Chirocentrus sp.) and tuna (Euthynnus affinis) are reported. Highest concentration is found in black pomfret followed by tuna, vala and mackerel. The contents of various pesticides present in fish under study are well below the action level prepared by FDA to cause any health hazard.

Selection of materials for marine instruments

The paper describes the selection of materials for the reliable operation of oceanographic instruments. For selecting the material, raft immersion tests were carried out for one year. Results of the tests are presented. Comparisons between metals were discussed.

Trend and growth analysis of marine fish production in Bangladesh

The study based on time series marine fish production data during the period of 1983-1984 to 2007-2008 in Bangladesh. For this growth analysis six deterministic time series models are considered. The estimated best fitting models are the cubic, quadratic and quadratic model is appropriate for industrial marine fish production, artisanal marine fish production and total marine fish production in Bangladesh respectively. The study attempts to provide forecasts of marine fish production in Bangladesh for the year of 2008-09 to 2012-13. The magnitude of instability in marine fish production was attempted by computing the coefficient of variation (CV) and the percentage deviation from three years moving average values. The study revealed that the total marine fish production was observed to be relatively stable (CV being 31.85%) compared to the artisanal marine fish production (CV being 32.04%) and industrial marine fish (CV being 47.20%). For the three components of marine fish production the growth rates were different over different time points. The variation of the growth rates in industrial marine fish production was -21.6% to 13.12%, in artisanal marine fish production was 2.39% to 5.29% and in total marine fish production was 11.23% to 24.85% during the study period.

Marine Managed Areas Workshop report, Penang, Malaysia, 18-19 January, 2011

Establishment of a working group of regional experts in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); inventory and status of existing MPAs; gap analysis;establishment of common data requirements and protocols;development of a regional action plan;training and capacity building; outreach activities; proposal f0r management of existing and creation of new MPAs.

Status of marine protected areas and fish refugia in the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem

The report reviews the status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Fish Refugia in the Bay of Bengal. Baseline studies are presented and current and potential linkages between MPAs and fisheries management discussed. Feedback from a a workshop in Penang is also presented.

Fisheries catches for the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem since 1950

Marine fisheries catch data is presented on spatially allocated basis for the Exclusive Economic Zones of the member countries as well as the high seas for the period 1950-2008.