Poverty, Inequality and Natural Resources Degradation

The present study is an attempt to understand the link between natural resource degradation and poverty among people dependent on these resources. This is done by examining the impact of depletion of marine resources on the livelihood and socio-economic condition of the small-scale marine fishery community in South Kerala. In Kerala, nearly ten lakh fisherfolk depend on the marine fishery resources for their livelihood. The overall level of education of the small-scale fishing community is lower than that of the State’s rural population. Almost all the households surveyed, is one way or other, depend on fishery resources for livelihood. Low levels percapita income and high levels of inequality imply the existence of a large proportion of poor people in the community who are vulnerable to external shocks. The study reveals that poverty was comparatively higher among households with no fishing assets, with only one earner, with more than two children, and depending entirely on pensions/remittances. The study has not provided any evidence to show that poverty in the community is the result of depletion of marine resources.

Prospects of Marketing the Indigenous Ornamental Fishes of Kerala

In this study prospects of marketing the indigenous ornamental fishes of kerala, point out that the export market, consumer preferences in the domestic ornamental fishes, SWOT (strength weakness opportunities and threats) analysis etc. The study notes that the product indigenous ornamental fishes are mostely marketed by exporters and suppliers rather than the retail aquarium shopkeepers. The research findings on the attributes of indigenous ornamental fishes that matches customers preference in aquarium fish.SWOT analysis was carried out to classify the results of the study into strengths,weakness,opportunities and threats faced by the ornamental fish industry in kerala. The marketers in the study show less market perception compaired to the exporters of India. Rather than market survey, interest and experience and raw materials availability inspires them. The developments for large scale marketing have to be carried out, ensuring the sustainable exploitation of the wild fish population by adopting conservation measures such as breeding programmes, quota implementation, setting up of natural sanctuaries to protect the natural resource of ornamental fishes.

Marine Actinomycetes as Source of Antimicrobial Compounds and as Probiotics and Single Cell Protein for Application in Penaeid Prawn Culture Systems

This thesis Entitled Marine actinomycetes as source of antimicrobial compounds and as probiotics and single cell protein for application in penaeid peawn culture systems. Ocean harbours more than 80% of all life on earth and remains our greatest untapped natural resource. The study revealed the potential of marine actinomycetes as a source of antimicrobial compounds. The selected streptomycetes were found to be capable of inhibiting most of the pathogenic vibrios, whichis a major problem both in hatcheries and grow out systems. The bioactive principle can be incorporated with commercial feeds and applied as medicated diet for the control of vibrios in culture systems.The hydrolytic potential inhibitory property against pathogens and non—pathogenicity to penaeid prawns make the selected Streptomycesspp.an effective probioic in aquaculture. Since there is considerably less inhibition to the natural in pond ecosystem the microbial diversityis being maintained and thereby the water quality. Actinomycetes was found to be a good source of single cell protein as an ingredient inaquaculture feed formulations. Large amount of mycelial waste (actinomycete biomassO is produced from antibiotic industries and this nutrient rich waste can be effectively used as a protein source in aquaculture feeds.This study reveals the importance of marine actinomycetes as a source of antimicrobial compounds and as a probiotic and single cell protein for aquaculture applications.

Heterotrophic bacteria from the continental slope sediments of arabian sea

The marine environment is indubitably the largest contiguous habitat on Earth. Because of its vast volume and area, the influence of the world ocean on global climate is profound and plays an important role in human welfare and destiny. The marine environment encompasses several habitats, from the sea surface layer down through the bulk water column, which extends >10,000 meters depth, and further down to the habitats on and under the sea floor. Compared to surface habitats, which have relatively high kinetic energy, deep-ocean circulation is very sluggish. By comparison, life in the deep sea is characterized by a relatively constant physical and chemical environment. Deep water occupying the world ocean basin is a potential natural resource based on its properties such as low temperature, high pressure and relatively unexplored properties. So, a judicious assessment of the marine resources and its management are essential to ensure sustainable development of the country’s ocean resources. Marine sediments are complex environments that are affected by both physiological and biological factors, water movements and burrowing animals. They encompass a large extent of aggregates falling from the surface waters. In aquatic ecosystems, the flux of organic matter to the bottom sediments depend on primary productivity at the ocean surface and water depth. Over 50% of the earth’s surface is covered by deep-sea sediments that are primarily formed through the continual deposition of particles from the productive pelagic waters (Vetriani et al., 1999). These aggregates are regarded as ‘hot spots’ of microbial activity in the ocean (Simon et al., 2002). This represents a good nutritional substrate for heterotrophic bacteria and favours bacterial growth

Biostatistical evaluation and Management of sciaenid fishery with particular reference to Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801) andJohnieops sina (Cuvier, 1830) of Konkan coast

Fish, a natural resource, has received great attention from all over the world. since it provides a cheap protein, employment and income to the millions of people for centuries. So fishermen, industrialist and multinationals are trying to exploit the marine resources to their maximum benefit by using modern craft, advance fishing equipments and efficient gear. Fishery resources in the open system particularly in oceans, were considered to be unlimited. However, recent developments in the innovation of efficient craft and gear using well tested material fitted with modern equipments that have greatly enhanced the mobility of craft, agility of gear and the ability of equipments to locate fishery resources have proved otherwise. Hence as the exploitation increases with more effort entering the fishery, the catch per unit of fishing effort starts to decline due to the limitness of the resources. The heavy fishing pressure in the recent past led to commercial extinction of a number of stocks such as. the North Sea herring, California sardine, Japanese Sardine and Peruvian anchovy (FAO. 1968: Gulland, 1974). In India, seer fish from Palk-Bay declined due to uncontrolled fishing (Devaraj 1983).

Population Characteristics of Prawns in Natural and Selective Stocking System

present work deals with the various aspects of population characteristics of penaeus indicus ,Metapenaeus dobsoni and metapenaeus monoceros during their nursery phase in tidal ponds and adjacent backwaters.Importance of the present study is to suggest scientific basis for the management of penaeid resources in tidal ponds and backwaters based on their biological characteristics to ensure better yield.Seasonal closure of fishing will be effective in improving the size of the shrimp at harvest.Hydrology of tidal ponds varied with location, but showed a common seasonal pattem.Seasonal variation in temperature was very small. It fluctuated between 27.5 to 32.3°C in tidalponds and 26.9 to 29.9°C in open backwaters.Improvement of nursery habitats with due consideration for biological requirements of the resource will ensure better growth, survival and abundance of the stock.The recruitment, growth and emigration data of prawns from their nurseries can be used successfully for fishery forecasting. projecting juvenile growth forward through time, it is possible to establish, which cohort contributes to offshore fishery each year. So, by interpreting the recruitment and growth data of species in their nurseries with offshore catch data, fishery can be forecasted successfully.