Some observations on the problem of marine timber destroying organisms of Indian coasts

In India the chief marine timber boring organisms are 2 species of Martesia, 28 species of shipworms, 4 species and a variety of Sphaeroma and 9 species of Limnoria besides bacteria and fungi. The occurrence, abundance and activity of the various species of borers show remarkable variations and fluctuations in the different harbours of India, each harbour or area having its own dominant set of species and an assemblage of less important forms. These species have their own characteristic preferences, life history and seasons of attachment and a scheme evolved for one locality may prove ineffective for another. Through a delicate and complex ecological adjustment the borers occurring in a locality have reached an interrelationship reducing interspecific and intraspecific competition. The seasons of settlement of the dominant borers in the different harbours of India are indicated. The need for a detailed biological enquiry is stressed.

Observations on the inhibitory effect of sodium chloride on molds met with in smoked fishery products

Even though smoke curing is a very elegant method of preserving fish, the resultant products have only a very restricted shelf-life, unless stored under refrigerated conditions. The main source of spoilage is the early setting in of a vigorous growth of moulds. This problem is of a serious nature even in temperate climatic conditions. In full and universal recognition of the gravity of the problem, the FAO conference on herring technology held in September 1950 at Bergen in Norway has recommended the problem of "means of prevention of mould growth in smoked products" for future research study. This note records an interesting observation made at this Laboratory on the inhibitory action of sodium chloride on the development of mould in smoked fishery products.

Preliminary observations on the effect of a. c. current on Catla catla and Ophicephalus punctatus

In order to evolve suitable electrical fishing gear for inland waters, preliminary experiments have been conducted to observe effect of a. c. currents on Catla catla at voltages of 30, 90 and 120, pH 7.3 and 8.4, temperature 48°F, 78°F and 105°F, distance between electrodes 25 cm, 50 cm and 75 cm, size range of fish 100 mm, to 235 mm. Apparatus used was a 5 kw; a. c. 60 cycles generator with resistance control. Larger sizes of fish were more prone to electric shock. Higher temperature increases the intensity of the shock, while variation of pH between 7.3 to 8.4 did not materially affect the intensity of the shock. Fishing with a mixed population of Catla catla and Ophicephalus punctatus gave a greater percentage of mortality for the latter.

Preliminary observations on changes in nucleotides in oil sardine and certain Penaeid prawns during chill storage

Preliminary study has been made of the changes in common 5' nucleotides in oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) and two Penaeid prawns of Indian waters during chill storage. The course of nucleotide degradation has been followed in the fresh fish and shell fish during ice storage. The level of inosine monophosphate (IMP) in prawns showed significant but steady decrease during ice storage and this appears to serve as useful indication of length of storage. Comparison has been made on the pattern of nucleotide changes in block frozen fish and individually quick frozen fish stored at -23°C.

A few observations on the biology of Tachysurus thalassinus Ruppell from Veraval (Gujarat)

The length-weight relationship of T. thalassinus differed in the sexes and, therefore separate equations were obtained; for males log W = -5.1728 4- 3.0495 log L; and for females log W = -5.7456 + 3.2798 log L. The spawning period of this species appears to be restricted to a short period from October to November. Fecundity has been found to range from 33 to 55 mature eggs in specimens of the size range 421-564mm. The sex ratio of males to females was 1.8:1. T. thalassinus is a bottom carnivore, crustaceans ranking first in food followed by fishes, mollusc and polychaetes.

Physiological observations on a diatom Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve

A chain-forming diatom Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve collected from Yatsushiro Sea, Japan was cultured to determine the optimum level of some physico-chemical factors for their growth under laboratory conditions. Filtered and sterilized aged sea water enriched by adding nutrient solution (Provasoli 1968) was used as the culture medium. The plankton could tolerate a wide range of salinities (3-55 ppt). Optimum growth was observed at salinities of 20-35 ppt, temperatures of 20-25°C, light intensities of 80-120µE mˉ² secˉ¹ and pH between 7.5 and 8.0. Growth did not occur at salinities below 3 ppt and at temperatures above 30°C. From the present study, it is concluded that S. costatum was extremely euryhaline and tolerable to very low salinities.

Further observations on a newly located prawn fishery off Saurashtra coast

The abundance of prawns in a newly located ground off Saurashtra has been described. Catch composition showed that Metapenaeus affinis formed the bulk of the catches. Previously this species was thought to be of not much commercial importance in this region. The peak of the fishery lasted from September to November. Observations on the biology of this species showed that it occurs as an independent stock in this region. The significance of the gear employed in fishing is also emphasized.

Observations on changes in the major protein nitrogen fraction of prawns and sardines during ice storage

Changes in the major protein nitrogen fractions (sarcoplasmic, myofibrillar, stroma) have been studied in two species of prawns and in oil sardine held in ice storage. Myofibrillar proteins were observed to get denatured at a rapid rate as determined by salt extractability method. The sarcoplasmic proteins were not denatured to any considerable extent. With sardine however, the extraction of myofibrillar proteins was inhibited rather in the uniced condition itself presumably owing to the presence of free fatty acids.

Preliminary observations on the effect of electrical seine on fish catch

Forty-six experiments were done with the electric seine in 24 tanks with a.c. and interrupted a.c. The source of electrical energy was a 3 Kw a.c. generator of water-cooled diesel engine. A control seining without applying electricity was conducted for every experiment with electric "seine" to have a comparison for the efficiency of electric "seine" over control ones. Electric seine was found to have an increased catch over control seining both in numbers and in weight. Electric seine with two electrodes was found to have better effect over three electrodes. Benthic fishes like Cirrhina mrigala, Notopterus notopterus, Cyprinus carpio, Glassogobius giuris, Ophicephalus sp. and Mystus sp. were found to be more sensitive in electric "seine". Increased catch of small fishes like C. mrigala, N, notopterus and Ophicephalus sp. has been observed in electrical "seine" in addition to larger ones.

Some observations on the performance of 10.5 m mid-water trawl operated off Veraval

The communication presents the results of fishing trials conducted off Veraval with a 10.5 m four-seam unequal paneled mid-water trawl with vertically curved otter boards. The design and structural details of net and otter boards are described in detail. Particulars such as the fish caught during experimentation, horizontal spread of the net as well as towing resistance offered in action are also incorporated.

Preliminary observations on the morphometric characteristics, length weight relationship, food and fedding habits and fecundity of Saurida tumbil (Bloch) off Bombay coast

Fifteen morphometric and four meristic characters of Saurida tumbil were studied and their relationships with total length and head length were established. The length weight relationship worked out to be W= -5.6055 L(super)3.291. The fish is a carnivore, feeding mainly on small fishes, molluscs and crustaceans. Larger fishes are selective feeders on fish. It is a long protracted spawner. Fecundity varied from 6008 to 17384 eggs in specimens of size group 212-420 mm. Fecundity-total length, fecundity-total weight of fish and fecundity - total weight of ovary relationships were worked out to be F=0.9414 L(super)1.6626, F=180.7069 W(super)0.7531 and F=3153.0375 W(super)0.8278 respectively.

Some preliminary observations on the biology of Strongylocentrotus lividus (Lamarck)

The present study of Strongylocentrotus lividus is an attempt to add to the knowledge in this field with particular reference to a tropical species of whose biology little is known. The aim of the study was to examine the growth of the animals in relation to the development of their gonads, to elucidate the food preferences of the sea urchins and to study their associations with other animals.

Observations on the wastage of raw material and recovery of meat in the prawn processing industry

The wastage of prawns due to spoilage in processing factories accounted to about 0-12% in 1974, 0-35% in 1975, 0-3% in 1976 and 0-4% in 1977. Spoilage increases with the time lag between catching and processing and also due to defective icing. The paper discusses the counts of whole prawns required for obtaining meat of specified size grades.

Preliminary observations of the use of under-water light in fish catch

Experiments with drift gill net with under-water lights were carried out in the sea and estuarine region along with a control net of the same specifications without any light in the same fishing ground for comparison. The experimental net caught more fish in number and weight than the control. Fishes like pomfrets (Pampus chinensis, Parastromafeus niger), seer (Scomberomorus spp), hilsa (Ilisha spp) etc showed positive phototaxis and were gilled encircling the point of illumination. Young skates (Mobula spp) and Polynemus tetradactylus were antiphototactic. The number of fishes caught increased with increase in period of illumination. The catch of larger fishes was maximum at 60 mts of illumination and the total catch increased with increase in intensity of light. Additional cost of operation with under-water light was Rs 1-25 per hr but the catch was 4 to 5 times greater than that of the control net.

Preliminary observations on the lunar and tidal influences on the catches of seer by gill nets

The paper deals with the lunar and tidal influences on the catches of seer by gill nets. The landings during full moon and new moon nights, during low and high tides and during different quarters of the lunar month for three fishing seasons are discussed.