Environmental and social impact monitoring of the Bujagali Hydropower Project (BHPP), Uganda Fisheries Component: monthly patterns in physico-chemical conditions and fish catch in the immediate vicinity of the Bujagali Hydropower construction site, 29th September - 28th October 2007

Following the commencement of construction works of a 250 MW hydropower plant at Dumbbell Island in the Upper Victoria Nile in September 2007, BEL requested NaFIRRI to conduct continuous monitoring of fish catches at two transects i.e. the immediate upstream transect of the project site (Kalange-Makwanzi) and the immediate downstream .transect (Buyala-Kikubamutwe). The routine monitoring surveys were designed to be conducted twice a week at each of the tWo transects. It was anticipated that major immediate impacts were to occur during construction, and these needed to be known by BEL as part of a mitigation strategy. For example, the construction of it cofferdam could be accompanied by rapid changes in water quality and quantity downstream of the construction. These changes in turn could affect the fish catch and would probably be missed by the quarterly monitoring already in place. Therefore, a major cbjective of the more regular and rapid monitoring was to discern immediate impacts of construction activities by focusing on selected water quality parameters (total suspended solids, water conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) and fish catch characteristics (total catch, catch rates and value of the catch)

Evaluation of quality of shark livers using bio-chemical properties and organoleptic score sheet

Shark livers are considered as an important raw material providing a quality fish oil. It has been reported to aid white — blood-cell production and act as an active ingredient in hemorrhoid treatments. It is also reported that liver oil as a good supplement of vitamin A and poly-unsaturated fatty acids which are important to the development of brain cells in human. Freshness of livers is very important to extract better quality oil. In Sri Lanka, the annual shark production amounts to 8000t, however the quality of livers collected from landing sites has not being measured yet. Present study was conducted to evaluate the quality of silky (Charcarninus fakiformis) shark livers available in Negombo and Beruwala landing sites in the West Coast of Sri Lanka and also to study the relationship between organoleptic and bio-chemical correlation on freshness of shark livers. Liver samples which were collected from landing sites in the West coast of Sri Lanka, were evaluated for external and internal colour, texture and odour. Total volatile nitrogen (TVN), pH value, free fatty acid (FFA%) and peroxide (PV) values of livers were also determined to assess quality. According to the organoleptic scoring system 4.3% of liver samples were categorized as best in quality while 30.4%, 56.5% and 8.7% rated as good, medium and poor in quality respectively at the Negombo and Beruwala landing sites. Bio-chemical analysis showed that the better quality livers had the highest score for sensory evaluation and low values for TVN, FFA and peroxide value while low quality livers gave low score for sensory evaluation and high TVN, FFA, peroxide values. Correlation coefficient of organoleptic scores against total volatile nitrogen value, pH value, free fatty acid % and peroxide value of shark livers were determined by statistical analysis. Organoleptic score of shark livers was found to be highly.

Squilla protein: chemical composition and nutritive value

Protein extract prepared from squilla (Grato squilla nepa), a commercially unexploited crustacean, was analysed for crude protein and essential amino acids. All the essential amino acids except tryptophan and threonine were present in nutritionally adequate amounts. The protein was evaluated for its nutritional quality in respect of growth rate, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and liver nitrogen content by feeding on rats. Growth rates and protein efficiency ratios were similar in rats fed on casein, squilla protein and a combination of squilla protein and casein (1:1) diet. The weight of liver and kidneys were normal.

Monthly patterns in physico-chemical conditions and fish catch in the immediate vicinity of the Bujagali hydropower construction site 29th September - 28th October 2007

The specific objectives were to: WATER QUALITY 1. To measure the water physical variables as indicators of environmental conditions in the upstream and downstream transects of Kalange (1) and Buyala (2), respectively, 2. To determine the concentrations of total suspended solids as a major constituent likely to be released into the waters at any time during the construction activities, by comparing the concentrations at the two transects. FISH CATCH 1. To follow up trends in fish catch as construction activity progresses, and to precision of the estimate; 2. To estimate the prevailing fish catch rates, total fish catches and the total value of the fish catch to the local fishers at the two transects.

Chemical, microbiological and sensory examinations of dried Lake Tanganyika sardine presently marketed in Zambia

Proximate composition, PH, total aerabic counts, coliform counts, appearance and taste of dried Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae) sampled at Lusaka markets were analysed for the period July 1969 to February 1970. Water content for the dried sardine varied between 7 and l4% and oil content between 8 and 14% according to season. Flavour of the cooked sardine was scored as good to fair, which discredits the common belief that is poor in quality. Cooked fish scores correlated poorly to the oil content and bacterial counts of the dried fish.

Chemical, bacteriological and sensory examination of split, dried, smoked bream on the market in Zambia

A critical examination of the market quality of split, dried and smoked bream (Tilapia spp.) was chemically, bacteriologically and organoleptically conducted for the period of August 1968 to January 1969. The aim of this survey was to obtain basic information for the development of national quality standards for the commodity. Relationships of cooked meat score to pH, fish size, appearance and smell score, and water content wcre significantly correlated and responsive. Therefore, these parameters were proposed to be used as indices for the quality standards of the products.

Chemical composition and elastic strain in AlInGaN quaternary films

High-quality AlInGaN quaternary layers were grown on c-Al2O3 using a thick GaN template. A full width at half maximum of 0.075 degrees from AlInGaN(0004) rocking curve and a minimum yield of 5.6% from Rutherford backscattering/channelling spectrometry (RBS) prove the AlInGaN layer of a comparable crystalline quality with GaN layers. The chemical compositions (both of Al and In contents) of AlInGaN layers are directly obtained from RBS and elastic recoil detection analysis. The lattice parameters both in perpendicular and parallel directions are deduced from X-ray diffraction. The AlInGaN layer is found to process a compressive strain in parallel direction and a tensile strain in perpendicular direction. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.