Recent advances in the hatchery production of seed of some commercial bivalves in India

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has established a shellfish hatchery laboratory at its Tuticorin Research Centre with the objective of developing appropriate technology for the production of seed of commercial bivalves. A viable technology was developed for the mass production of the seed of Pinctada fucata, P. margaretifera, Crassostrea madrasensis, Perna indica, P. viridis, Anadara granosa and Meretrix meretrix. The hatchery facility and the technology, comprising brood stock conditioning, induced spawning, larval rearing and seed production are described. In the light of these developments the future outlook is appraised.

Present status and problems of mussel culture in India

Two species of mussels, the green mussel (Perna viridis) and the brown mussel (Perna indica) were cultured using the seed collected from the natural beds of the east and west coasts of India. The results of culture experiments are consolidated and the present status is reviewed. Although the culture experiments gave encouraging results, problems such as mooring of rafts in highly turbulent coastal waters, large scale seed requirements, control of predation, legal problems and marketing of end products require urgent attention before undertaking commercial operations. Some of the major problems of mussel culture are outlined for formulating effective management policies and their implementation for commercial mussel farming in India.

National issues raised by IIMA study on development and management of freshwater aquaculture in India: a review

An examination is made of various issues regarding freshwater aquaculture development raised by the IIMA study on inland fish marketing in India. The following topics are discussed: 1)fish production and the resources; 2)desirability for refined methodology for assessment of fish production; 3)pond resource under fish culture; 4)conflicting data and 5)observation on research input for freshwater.

Marine fisheries development in India, 2000 AD: a perspective

The status of marine fisheries research and development in India is discussed and the need for a high power national body to coordinate these activities is stressed. Priority areas for research and development have been outlined. It has been stressed that the strategy should be to achieve a production target of 3 million tonnes on the capture fisheries front (2.5 million tonnes from the inner shelf and 0.5 million tonnes from the outer shelf and slope areas) and 1 million tonne through aquaculture by 2000 AD.

Prospects of fisheries development in India by 2000 AD

The fishery resources of India are extensive. The demand for fish for domestic consumption will be at least 10 million by 2000 AD. With proper planning and management, fish production from inland, brackishwater and marine sources can be increased to 5 million tonnes, 1 million tonne and 4 million tonnes respectively. But the increase in the last 37 years is approximately equals 2.1 million tonnes over the base level of 1950. If the present trend is continued, the expected fish production will be approximately equals 6 million tonnes by 2000 AD, and hence, only approximately equals 60% of the domestic demand can be met.

Reservoir fisheries in India

Following an account of factors influencing the biological productivity of reservoirs in India, details are given of energy transformation through primary production. An ecosystem approach to the management of reservoir fisheries is discussed, considering also socio-economic factors to be taken into account.

Fishery development and administration in India

This paper deals with the importance of fisheries administration in effective planning and successful execution of fisheries development programmes. The great diversity in the organisation of fisheries departments in the states of India is described.

On the use of different natural baits for sea-fishing in India

Rod and line, hand-line, trolling line and fish-traps are the different types of fishing gears wherein suitable fish baits are employed with a view to luring the catch. The coastal fishermen of India mostly use different types of natural fish-baits to catch fishes like Perches, Carangids, Sciaenids, Scombroids and Elasmobranchs. The reactions of the fishes caught to the different baits used are quite varied. Successful line fishing operations very much depend on the fish-baits. A detailed record of the variety of fishes caught, types of fishing and different baits used by the coastal fishermen of India has been made.

A note on the production trend of marine shrimps in India

The paper reviews the production statistics of marine shrimps in the different maritime states of India from 1950 to 1962. It is pointed out that for a correct appraisal of the status of any fishery, it is necessary to have data on effort E and catch per unit effort in addition to the conventional data on catch C. A relationship between U and E has been developed and the status of the fishery of Metapenaeus dobsoni has been discussed in this connection with reference to the data on catch and effort obtained from trawler operations off Cochin.

Trends in development in the prawn fishing technique in India: a review

The paper provides some background information about the developments in the prawn fishing technique. The important indigenous gear for prawns are the filtering type nets like the stake nets, boat seines and beach seines with bag. The only indigenous net, which can be compared in design with the modern bottom trawling gear, is the "Thuri Valai" of the Madras Coast. Prawns have also been reported from the catches of gill nets and cast nets. Dredges and beam trawls are simplest among the dragged gear. Even though several earlier attempts were made with the beam trawl, in 1959 season a detailed experiment was made to study the fishing features of this gear. The subsequent experiments conducted were for comparison with otter trawl, towing of 2 beam trawls one behind the other and the use of tickler chain. The initial experiments with otter trawls were mainly directed towards operational aspects. The experiments were to evaluate the effectiveness of fully mechanised and partially mechanised operation, the effect of extra buoyancy of floats and the use of tickler chain. Subsequent developments had been on the structure and design of prawn trawling gear. Effect of long wings and sweeps were tested. Catches of nylon and cotton nets were compared. The sizes of meshes of the cod-end have also been increased.

The development of the freezing and export of prawns in India

The paper deals with an overview on the preservation of fish by freezing process. Until a few years ago the surplus catches of fish, prawns were being dried, salted or pickled. The Kerala coast had always yielded large catches of prawns and about 5000 tons of dried prawns were annually exported to Burma and other Eastern countries. The Government of India looking at the great potential of this industry, has now, with a view to encourage exports, provided a series of incentives towards this end.

Standardisation and mass production of shrimp trawlers and other fishing boats in India

This paper deals with the existing fishing crafts, new vessel types, boat building programmes, their standardisation and mass-production in India.

The future of shrimp processing industry in India

The future of the shrimp industry in India depends entirely on our export markets. Therefore the future of the industry must be related to the demand for shrimps in foreign markets. The most important market today for India is the United States. In the United States the domestic production of shrimps which was about 112 million pounds in 1950 has increased only slightly to 139.6 million pounds in 1965. However the consumption during the same period increased from 119.5 million pounds to 274.2 million pounds - the gap between home production and consumption is made up by imports.

Operatives training programmes in India

During the last few years great changes have taken place in the fishing industry as a result of which production of fish in the world has increased enormously. From an insignificant trade employing tools and methods of primitive nature, fishing in many countries has become an important industry utilizing complex modern vessels equipped with electronic equipment and operating in the high seas with highly mechanized fishing gear.

Transportation of fish in India: problems and prospects

India has a long coast line of about 4,800 km along which fish landing centers are scattered. Fish catches are showing an upward trend consequent on rapid mechanization of fishing crafts. Economic utilization of the landed fish is an essential prerequisite for the proper development of Indian fishing and fish processing industries.