“Studies on the Biology, Morphometrics and Biochemical composition of the Ommastrephid squid, Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis (Lesson,1830) of the south west coast of India”

With the stabilization of world finfish catches in general, and the depletion of a number of fish stocks that used to support industrial-scale fisheries, increasing attention is now being paid, to the so-called unconventional marine resources, which include many species of cephalopods. One of such important cephalopod resource is the tropical Indo-Pacific pelagic oceanic squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis. It is the most abundant large sized squid in the Indo- Pacific region with an estimated biomass of 8-11 metric tons. However, its distribution, biology, life cycle and nutrient value in the south west coast of India are still poorly known. So any new information of this species in the waters off the south west coast of India has important scientific significance for effective and rational utilization of this Oceanic fishery resources, especially during the time of depletion of shallow water resources. In view of that this study investigated different aspects of the Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis, such as morphometry, growth, mortality, maturation, spawning, food, feeding and biochemical composition in the south west coast of India to understand its possible prospective importance for commercial fishing and management of its fishery

Studies on the Biology, Ecology and Fishery of the sea cucumber Holathuria (hetriatyla) scabra (Jaeger) from southeast coast of India

The distribution of the holothurian H. KH.) scabra indicated its availability all along coastal areas on Palk Bay from Rameswavam to Mallipattinam and along the Gulf of Hannah coast from Pamban to Ervadi and Tuticmhin,'at 4~2O m depth.The major fishing for holmthurians was done by skin diving at all the centres. The tallu valai was operated at Tuticorin and Vedalai and trawlevs were operated at Rameswaram.The fmod of H. KN.) scabra consists of ovganic matter which contains mud, sand, shell debris, bivalves and algae. Obsehvatinns indicated the species seems to be a n0n—se1ective feeder. The assimilation efficiency from sediment to faeces indicated that the faecal pellets of H. KH.) scabra are semidigested.A multiple relationship was fitted between total length, total weight, gutted weight, gonad weight and maturity stages were found significant.The fishing season for holothurians commences from October to March along Gulf of Manner coast and from March to October along Palk Bay coast.The percentage of catches recorded by skin diving, trawlere and tallu valai were 80.04%, 10.27% and 9.69% respectively. Skin diving contributes to maximum catch.The holothurians landed all along the Gulf of Manner and Palk Bay coasts constitute 25.6% and 74.4% respectively. This showed that Palk Bay coast is more productive.

Educational Loans And The Higher Education Sector In India

In 2001 the Indian Banks Association have come up with a model frame work for educational loans in the country. With the approval of the Central Government the public sector banks in India started to give education loans. The private and cooperative banks also joined the fray. Due to growing NPAs and the intervention of the Government these norms were modified in 2011. The budget allocation for the primary and higher secondary education is on the increase in India. However, higher education has been of late relegated or left to the mercy of the private players. There has been a steady growth of educational loans disbursed, private colleges and deemed universities started and enrolments of students in higher education during the years 2001 to 2011. This paper is a humble attempt to 1) analyse the growth of the educational loans vis-à-vis other forms of personal loans at the national level, 2) showcase the disbursements of educational loans in Kerala State, 3) to assess the growth of educational institutions and enrolment of students in higher education in India from secondary data and 4) to make suggestions based on the findings