Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for quarter 1: January-March 2011

The first environmental survey was undertaken in February 2011. The survey covered physical-chemical parameters (Water depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity), nutrient status, algal and invertebrate communities (algae, micro-invertebrates/zooplankton and macro-invertebrates/macro-benthos) and the fish community. This report presents the field observations made and provides a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and the different aquatic biota at and around the cage site including natural fish communities.

Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for quarter 1: January-March 2015

Source of the Nile (SON) fish farm is located at Bugungu in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm have a collaborative arrangement with NaFIRRI, a lead agency in fisheries research and innovations, to undertake quarterly environment monitoring surveys at the farm. The agreed areas for monitoring are: selected physico-chemical parameters (i.e. temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, secchi depth); total suspended solids (TSS); nutrient status; BOD5) and biological parameters (i.e. algae, zooplankton, macro-benthos and fish). Water and biological samples as well as field measurements were taken at 3 sites: within the fish cage rows (WIC/experimental), upstream (USC/control) and downstream (DSC) of the fish cages. The key research question was: Does fish cage operations have impacts on the water quality and aquatic biota in and around the SON cage fish farm? The environment monitoring surveys were projected to cover a full calendar year (i.e. from January to December). The first surveys were undertaken in 2011 and have continued on an annual basis since then. The present report presents field observations made for the fourth quarter survey undertaken in November 2014 and provides a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and the different aquatic biota in and around the fish cage site.

Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for quarter 3: July-September 2011

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm requested for technical assistance of NaFIRRI to undertake regular environment monitoring of the cage site as is mandatory under the NEMA conditions. NAFIRRI agreed to undertake quarterly environment surveys in the cage area covering selected physical-chemical factors Like water column depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity; nutrient status, algal and invertebrate communities (microinvertebrates/zooplankton and macro-invertebrates/macro-benthos) as well as fish community. The first quarter survey was undertaken in February 2011; the second in May 2011 and the third quarter survey, which is the subject of this report, in September 2011. Results/observations made are presented in this technical report along with a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and aq-uatic biota, including the natural fish community at and around the cage site.

Minimize frequency fluctuations of isolated power system with wind farm by using superconducting magnetic energy storage

Wind power generation as one of the most popular renewable energy applications is absorbing more and more attention all over the world. However, output power fluctuations of wind farm due to random variations of wind speed can cause network frequency and voltage flicker in power systems. The power quality consequently declines, particularly in an isolated power system such as the power system in a remote community or a small island. This paper proposes an application of superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) to minimize output fluctuations of an isolated power system with wind farm. The isolated power system is fed by a diesel generator and a wind generator consisting of a wind turbine and squirrel cage induction machine. The control strategy is detailed and the proposed system is evaluated by simulation in Matlab/Simulink.

Effect of farm made feeds on polyculture of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and three brackishwater finfish species

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed made from locally available ingredients on polyculture of shrimp and three brackishwater finfish species. Hatchery produced post-larvae (PL) of shrimp Penaeus monodon (0.005g) were stocked at the rate of 15,000 PLs/ha. Brackishwater finfish species Liza parsia, Mugil cephalus and Rhinomugil corsula of 0.63-1.4lg collected from local rivers were stocked at the rate 8,000, 1,000 and 2,000/ha, respectively in four treatments. Shrimp and finfishes were fed four different experimental diets composed of fish meal, mustard oil cake, rice bran, oyster shell power and vitamin premixes at the rate of 3-5% estimated crop/day for 195 days. Among four treatments, P. monodon showed comparative better growth in T4 and T3. Finfish L. parsia showed its better performance in treatment T2. Species M. cephalus and R. corsula showed insignificant production. P. monodon showed better growth with diet of fish meal and mustard oil cake@ 28.84 and 33.65%, respectively in T 3 and 19.22 and 43.27%, respectively in treatment T4.

Histopathological studies of EUS affected shing, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) from a fish farm of Mymensingh, Bangladesh

An investigation was carried out to observe histopathological changes in liver and kidney of suspected epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS)-affected shing fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) collected from the "Agro-3 fish farm" situated at Boilor, Trishal, Mymensingh. Focal necrosis, haemorrhages and atrophy of the sinusoidal region were observed in the liver tissue. Fungal granulomas were found both in liver and kidney. In some cases fatty depositions were observed in all over the hepatic tissue. Degeneration and necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells were also occurred. Missing of glomerulus and necrosis surrounding the Bowman's capsule in the kidney tissue were found.

A study on performances of intensification in the farming system of a shrimp farm at Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

This study examines the harvest and mean production in relation to the stocking of P. monodon fry during the period between March 1992 and October 1994, at the farm owned by M/s Monugung Sea Food Ltd., Cox's Bazar. The analysis shows that production figures were initially up to expectation, but after harvesting 4 crops within 16 months, production sharply decreased. The unexpected high mortality of the growing stock was due to outbreak of an uncontrollabe disease (Vibriosis). Significantly higher variations in production, survival and growth were also noted among the different treatments.

Monoculture of climbing perch, Thai koi, Anabas testudineus (Bloch) under different stocking densities at on-farm

An on-farm trial was undertaken in nine earthen ponds (400 to 640m2) to evaluate the growth and production potentials of climbing perch, Thai koi (Anabas testudineus) for the period of four months from March through June 2006. Three stocking densities such as 75,000 (T1), 100,500 (T2) and 125,000/ha (T3) were tested with three replications. Fish were fed with commercial (SABINCO) pelleted feed (35% crude protein). Fish productions obtained in three treatments such as T1, T2 and T3 were 6,480±217, 6,384±154, 6,617±187 kg· 1ha, respectively. The results demonstrated higher mean growth in T1 than in T2 and T3. However, the net benefit was achieved Tk. 7,26,975 from T1, where the stocking density was 75,000/ha.

Sphingobacterium siyangense sp nov., isolated from farm soil

The taxonomic position of a novel Gram-negative strain, designated Sy1(T), isolated from a farm-soil sample obtained from Jiangsu Province, PR China, was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The cells were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 degrees C and at pH 6.0-8.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Sy1(T) is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium; Sphingobacterium multivorum JCM 21156(T) was the nearest relative (98.5% sequence similarity). The predominant fatty acids of strain Sy1T were isoC15:0 (32.90/o), C16:0 (10.9%) and summed feature 3 (iso-C-15:0 2-OH and/or C-16:1 omega 7c; 24.1%). The DNA G + C content was 38.5 mol%. The low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (2.2 %) to S. multivorum JCM 21156 T in combination with differential morphological and biochemical properties demonstrated that strain SY1(T) (=KCTC 22131(T)= CGMCC 1.6855(T)) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium for which the name Sphingobacterium siyangense sp. nov. is proposed.

On farm trial of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) evolved two aquaculture technologies

Two BFRI evolved aquaculture technologies - integrated rice fish farming and carp polyculture with over-wintered fingerlings under different stocking densities were tested during 2003-04. The study was coordinated with two local NGOs namely NICHAITA and JNDP, Muktagacha, Mymensingh. Integrated rice fish farming technology was demonstrated in 9 plots each having an area between 60-100 dec. during boro season. Fifteen days after transplantation of rice seedlings, fingerlings of rajpunti (Barbodes gonionotus) of 7-10 g of individual weight were stocked in the rice fields at the density of 3,000 (T1), 3,750 (T2) and 4,500/ha (T3). The corresponding final weight of fish after three and half months in treatments 1, 2 and 3 were 110±14.21, 101±16.55 and 86±22.28 g, respectively. The mean weight of fish in treatments 1 and 2 was significantly higher than treatment 3. Fish production obtained from treatments 1, 2 and 3 were 218.16±18.29, 239.70±25.11 and 236±24.66 kg/ha, respectively. On-farm demonstrations of carp polyculture using over-wintered fingerlings rohu (25-28 g), catla (24-26 g), mrigal (21-26 g) and grass carp (20-24 g) under different stocking densities were undertaken in nine earthen ponds (1,200-1,600 square meters) for a period of six months at three different stocking densities. The stocking densities of treatment 1 (T1), treatment 2 (T2) and treatment 3 (T3) were 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000/ha, respectively. Fish were fed with rice bran and mustard oil cake (3:1). Soft green grass and banana leaves were provided mainly for grass carp. At harvest, the production obtained in treatments 1, 2 and 3 were 2,325±74.75, 2,620±49.66 and 2,982± 171.52 kg/ha, respectively. The results demonstrated higher growth of fish in treatment 1 than those of treatments 2 and 3. However, treatment 3 contributed relatively higher production than those of treatments 1 and 2, whereas, highest net benefit was received from treatment 2.

Production of freshwater giant prawn using over-wintered juveniles for enhancement of farm income and reduction of rural poverty in Bangladesh

Freshwater giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii fry produced during late season can not withstand low temperature thus the prawn culture programme during winter is hampered. To overcome this problem, late season (August-September) prawn juveniles (0.9-6.8 g) were stocked at a density of 1.43 to 3.57/square meter in 350-476 square-meter ponds in Pabna and Mymensingh districts during October 2000 and cultured till May 2001. Monthly average water temperature during the winter months (December-February) varied from 16 to 22 °C and gradually increased to 32 °C in May. The prawn fry showed fast growth rate and attained an average weight of 60-70 g within eight months including three winter months. Growth compensation was observed during summer months. Survival rate was 60-79%. After extrapolation of the present growth rate more than 1,600 kg/ha production can be achieved in better-managed ponds. Extrapolated cost of production was Tk. 268,000 and 200,000 Tk./ha in two best ponds, sale value was Tk. 644,9146 [sic] and 528,466 and gross profit was Tk. 376,000-410,000, suggesting a higher economic feasibility of farming freshwater prawn with over-wintered juveniles.

On farm trial of freshwater pearl culture

On farm preliminary trial of freshwater pearl culture was done through 20 entrepreneurs in Boilor and Sutiakhali villages of Mymensingh district during 2004. A group of 20 enthusiastic women were selected and trained on the art of mantle tissue dissection, operation for mantle tissue implantation and preparation of ponds for pearl culture. A total of 200 juvenile freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis, were collected from the wild and were used for mantle issue operation. The operated mussels were then transferred to farmer's pond and were subjected to observational trial. Length and weight of each of the test mussels were recorded before hanging them at a depth of 40 cm in net bags (3 mussels/net bag) in ponds at the rate of 24,700 mussels/ha of pond area. Ponds were routinely fertilized with organic and inorganic fertilizers thorough out the mussel rearing period. Water temperature, pH, plankton density and soil organic matter were monitored fortnightly. Growth of pearl is yet to be monitored through sacrifice of the mussels but X-ray photography of a few mussels indicated the initiation of pearl formation in most of them.

Utilization of the fish waste self-brine of fish curing industry as farm fertilizer

Large quantities of self-brine accumulating in curing tanks during the process of commercial fish salting is mostly wasted at present. This liquor exuded from the fish during the process of salting contains considerable amounts of soluble proteins and minerals. Due to the presence of organic matter the self-brine quickly putrefies causing nauseating smell. This renders the whole surroundings insanitary and often leads to health hazards to neighboring localities. Any economic method of utilising this waste brine and converting it into some useful product will be a tangible help to the fish curing industry. Hence, a method is given for converting this waste self-brine into a cheap and efficient fertilizer.

Fish farm technology. 1 - Brackishwater fish culture based on "aquafeed"

A method has been evolved to enhance the production of natural feed in brackish water fish farms by providing substrates for bio-growth ('aquafeed' production) which is a biomass complex consisting of sedentary and associated organisms of plant and animal species. The seasonal fluctuations of the aquafeed production over different substrates ranged as: 787-1830g/coconut leaf (6m²)/45 days, 16.0-072.9g/glass panel (2x10x10cm²)/30 days, 52-230g/nylon mat (2x25x25cm²)/30 days and 18.6-123.1g/wooden block (6x10x10cm²)/30 days. The average dry weight composition of the major components of aquafeed obtained in the present study was sand-silt-clay 40%, protein 22%, carbohydrate (water soluble) 1.8% and fat 3.35% (water content 85%). Mugil cephalus of 1.85 cm reared in a 0.01ha pond and fed on aquafeed attained a size of 23 cm length and 146.73g weight during one year. Survival rate was 54% at a density of 1000/ha. Salinity and temperature of the pond during the culture period ranged between 1.4 and 32.8‰ and 28.1 and 36.5°C respectively.

Studies on the probable sources of fungal infection and the control measures in a fish seed farm

The causes of mortality of fry of cultivable fishes in a fish seed farm were investigated. The mortality was due to fungal infection and the pathogen was Saprolegnia sp. The sources of infection were unhygienic breeding hapas, spawnery hapas in the cemented ponds, hatching jars and excess feeding. Application of one kg slaked lime followed by 75g of CuSo sub(4)(l-0.5 p.p.m.) and 150g of KMno sub(4)(2-1 p.p.m.) per each nursery (158m³ water) controlled the pathogen.