Studies on Diatoms along the South West Coast of India in Relation to the Hydrological Parameters

The main objective of the study was primarily to determine the effect of hydrographical parameters especially nutrients which were supplied externally to the seawater while culturing the diatom Chaetoceros calcitrans, under laboratory conditions, and to determine its optimum concentration for ideal growth of the culture, in such a condition of increased rate of pollution due to the industrialization and effluents. Also an attempt was made to study the possible correlation of diatom abundance in the South west Coast of India with the landings of the pelagic fishery resources, especially sardine, mackerel and anchovy, since these fishes are largely diatom feeders. Positive correlation was found between the diatoms and pelagic fish landings of Thalassery and Vizhinjam area while at Cochin there was less significant correlation between the two variables

Further studies on the process of coastal upwelling along the south west coast of India - possible correlations with biological productivity

An attempt is made to study the possible relationship between the process of upwelling and zooplankton biomass in the shelf weters along the south west coast of India between Cape comorin and Ratnagiri based on oceanographic and Zooplankton data collected by the erstwhile FAO/UNDP Pelagic Fishery Project,Cochin between 1973 and 1978. Different factors such as the depth from which the bottom waters are induced upwards during the process of upwelling,the depth to which the bottom waters are drawn, vertical velocity of upwelling and the resultant zooplankton productivity were considered while arriving at the deductions. Except for nutrients and phytoplankton productivity, for which simultaneous data is lacking, all the major factors were taken into consideration before cocluding- xon positive/negative correlation.

Investigations on the Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Squid (Loligo spp.) in Relation to Levels in Food Fishes from the West Coast of India with a Perspective on Seafood Safety

The present study entitled "Investigations on the Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Squid (Loligo spp.) in Relation to Levels in Food Fishes from the West Coast of India with a Perspective on Seafood Safety"attempts to establish the base line data on metal levels in squids along the west coast of India. The study is of great relevance in the present context when utmost importance is being given for producing wholesome seafoods especially in the export market with a perspective on seafood safety.The thesis presents a comprehensive account of the base line data on important heavy metals, viz., Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn Cr and Ni in the edible and non-edible body components of the most abundant Loligo species, viz., L. duvauceli caught along the west coast of India.

Distribution, diversity and biology of deep-sea fishes in the Indian EEZ

This thesis Entitled distribution ,diversity and biology of deep-sea fishes the indian Eez.Fishing rights and responsibilities it entails in the deep-sea sector has been a vexed issue since the mid-nineties and various stakeholders have different opinion on the modalities of harnessing the marine fisheries wealth, especially from the oceanic and deeper waters. The exploitation and utilization of these esources requires technology development and upgradation in harvest and post-harvest areas; besides shore infrastructure for berthing, handling, storing and processing facilities. At present, although deep-sea fishes don’t have any ready market in our country it can be converted into value added products. Many problems have so far confronted the deep-sea fishing sector not allowing it to reach its full potential. Hence, there should be a sound deep-sea fishing policy revolving round the upgradation of the capabilities of small scale fishermen, who have the inherent skills but do not have adequate support to develop themselves and to acquire vessels having the capability to operate in farther and deeper waters. Prospects for the commercial exploitation and utilization of deep-sea fishes were analyzed using SWOL analysis.

Resource abundance and Survival of indigenous ornamental fishes of central Kerala with emphasis on handling and packing stress in Puntius filamentosus(VALENCIENNES)

This thesis Entitled Resource abundance and survival of indigenous ornamental fishes of central kerala with emphasis on handling and packing stress in puntius filamentosus (valenciennes).Kerala state is endowed with 41 west flowing and three east flowing rivers originating in the Western Ghats. These rivers and their vast network of tributaries and distributaries harbour rich and diversified fish fauna. Most of the freshwater fishes available in Kerala are highly appreciated as ornamental fishes in the national and international markets.Today the ornamental fish industry is one of the largest industries all over the world. The demand for ornamental fishes has been increasing steadily with the enlargement of the industry, such that the current demand for indigenous ornamental fishes have exceeded the supply. This has led to serious concern about the resources available in the country that can be utilised judiciously for the economic benefit of the state. With an aim to fill up the lacuna, a database of freshwater ornamental fishes of Kerala was created as part of the present study. Ornamental fishes destined for export marketing should thrive well in the aquarium conditions.The study reiterates fishes caught from different environmental conditions and feeding habits have a greater ability to adapt and acclimatise to an entirely new environment and food habits. Marketing studies based on the statistics available with Marine Products Export Development Authority show that these species are not being exported at the required level over the past 6 years, when compared to the availability in the water bodies of Kerala. Sustainable utilisation of these resources from the wild using modern management principles and code of conduct for responsible fishing are advisable until captive breeding technology is popularised.

Systematics, Germplasm evaluation and pattern of distribution and abundance of freshwater fishes of Kerala (lndia)

The overall focus of the thesis involves the systematics,germplasm evaluation and pattern of distribution and abundance of freshwater fishes of kerala (india).Biodiversity is the measure of variety of Life.With the signing on the convention on biodiversity, the countries become privileged with absolute rights and responsibility to conserve and utilize their diverse resources for the betterment of mankind in a sustainable way. South-east Asia along with Africa and South America were considered to be the most biodiversity rich areas in the world .The tremendous potential associated with the sustainable utilization of fish germplasm resources of various river systems of Kerala for food, aquaculture and ornamental purposes have to be fully tapped for economic upliftment of fisherman community and also for equitable sharing of benefits among the mankind without compromising the conservation of the rare and unique fish germplasm resources for the future generations.The study was carried during April 2000 to December 2004. 25 major river systems of Kerala were surveyed for fish fauna for delineating the pattern of distribution and abundance of fishes both seasonally and geographically.The results of germplasm inventory and evaluation of fish species were presented both for the state and also river wise. The results of evaluation of fish species for their commercial utilization revealed that, of the 145, 76 are ornamental, 47 food and 22 cultivable. 21 species are strictly endemic to Kerala rivers. The revalidation on biodiversity status of the fishes assessed based on IUCN is so alarming that a high percentage of fishes (59spp.) belong to threatened category which is inclusive of 8 critically ndangered (CR), 36 endangered and 15 species under vulnerable (VU) category.The river wise fish germplasm inventory surveys were conducted in 25 major river systems of Kerala.The results of the present study is indicative of existence of several new fish species in the streams and rivulets located in remote areas of the forests and therefore, new exclusive surveys are required to surface fish species new to science, new distributional records etc, for the river systems.The results of fish germplasm evaluation revealed that there exist many potential endemic ornamental and cultivable fishes in Kerala. It is found imperative to utilize these species sustainably for improving the aquaculture production and aquarium trade of the country which would definitely fetch more income and generate employment.

Systematics, Life history traits, abundance andstock assessment of cobia, Rachycentron canadum ( Linnaeus, 1766) occurring in Indian waters with special reference to the north west coast in India

This thesis entitled Systematics,life history traits ,abundance and stock assessment of cobia rachycentron canadum (linnaeus ,1766) occurring in indian waters with special reference to the northwest coast of india.Cobia, Rachycentron canadum is a fast growing pelagic fish belonging to the monotypic family Rachycentridae. They show worldwide distribution in tropical and sub tropical waters. Cobia is exploited commercially in various countries like Taiwan, Pakistan, India, United State of America, Australia, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Recreational fishery of Cobia exists in different parts of the world. In India Cobia is caught as bycatch of trawlers, gillnet and hook and line fishery.This study also focuses on to bring out the distribution pattern and also to assess the biomass and estimate sustainable yield of Cobia inhabiting in Indian EEZ. In addition to above, present study standardised live collection methods and also reviewed culture prospects.Results of osteological study and morphological studies indicate its close resemblance to Remora and support the view that Cobia was evolved from Dolphin fishes and remoras followed it. Study also confirmed that Cobia does not have any relative or similar species and is a monotypic species belonging to the family Rachycentridae. Re description of the species was done based on the characters identified. In this study, feeding intensity was also assessed following methods like Gastrosomatic index, Mean index of feeding intensity and Index of fullness. Sex wise, month wise and length group wise fluctuations in the feeding intensity also were studied. Cobia actively fed during post monsoon period. In general, adult fed actively than the juveniles. Trophic level value estimated (4.36) indicates that Cobia occupy top level position in the food chain.

Bio-chemical changes associated with processing of shell fishes and flavour constituents of body meat and claw meat'of crab

In this thesis all these aspects are taken into consideration. Extensive studies were conducted on all aspects of processing of crabs, mussels and clams. The species taken for studies are commercially used ones namely Scylla sereta, perna viridis, and villorita cyprinoids. In Chapter 4.1 with regard to crab) the following aspects on their handling and processing are reported seasonal variation of chemical constituents, changes taking place during ice storage, freezing, canning etc. In Chapter 4._2 with regard to mussel, the relation between age (size) and chemical constituents, changes taking place during ice storage, freezing, canning etc. are reported and in Chapter 4.3 the changes taking place in clam muscle during icing and freezing are reported and the ame rebility of ice stored clams for canning purpose is reported.The interference of high concentration of glycogen in mussel and clam muscles during the colour development of ribose (Me-jbaum's method) is observed and remedial step are taken to minimise the interference.