Length-weight relationship Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758) along north west coast of India

Total length and total weight relationship of Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758) a carangid fish, along north west coast of India has been worked out. The fish is an ideal one, growing by weight a cube of its length, isometrically, retaining its specific body shape throughout its life. The relationship is w = 0.00906279 L super(2.9024152) total weight of fish in g and "L" represents total length in cm.

Humic acids in sediments of North-Central Arabian Sea, west coast of India

Sediment samples (28) collected during the ORV Sagar Kanya cruise-29, were analysed for humic acid (HA) concentration from the North-Central Arabian Sea. Generally oceanic samples had more HA concentration than the continental shelf (< 200 m depth) samples. The photo-acoustic infrared spectra of shelf sediment HA indicated the presence of more C-H saturated aliphatic chains, while oceanic HA had few peaks for the above groups. Both the IR spectra indicated the absence of aromatic C = C, carbonyl, ketonic groups. Clayey-silt sediment generally had higher concentration of HA compared to sandy-silt type of sediment.

Population dynamics and stock assessment of Koth (Otolithoides biauritus Cantor, 1850) along the north-west coast of India

MSY, growth, selection and mortality parameters of Otolithoides biauritus have been worked out from data collected by MFV Saraswati of CIFE, and length frequency data from Ferry Wharf, Sasson dock, and Versova fish landing centres of Bombay. Values of L infinity, K, and t omicron obtained from length frequency study are 1572 mm, 0.2633/yr and 0.0289 yr respectively, and of weight growth parameters are W infinity = 10067 g, K = 0.03904/yr and t omicron = 0.0137 yr. Selection parameters are L + 150 mm, t sub(r) + 0.4167 yr lc + 240 mm and t omicron = 0.6367 yr. Selection factor (K) for codent worked out to be 12. Based on Z = 0.6486, the MSY of O. biauritus off northwest coast of India is assessed as 1,802 tons which is slightly higher than the current catch level of 1,634 tons.

Consumption pattern and consumer preference for value-added fish and fish products in north zone of India

Present paper attempts to analyze consumption pattern and consumer preferences towards value-added fish and fish products in north zone of India. Results reveal that socio economic variables affect consumption of value-added fish and fish products. A total of 49 percent respondents were of middle age group (35 to 50 years). All were literates except 7% from the rural area. All were purchasing fish at least once in 15 days. A total of 90% respondents in rural, 11% in semi urban and 50% in urban area were unaware of value-added fish and fish products. About 10% of respondents had consumed it, out of which most were from urban area. Demand analysis by Cobb Douglas (CD) Demand function revealed that when price of fish, price of the substitutes, income of family and family size were used as independent variables, variation in demand of fish explained by CD Demand function was about 39% in urban area, 24% in semi urban area and 22% in rural area. From Garette ranking technique major problems in fish consumption found were irregular supply, lack of fresh fish, high price and presence of bones in fish. While lack of awareness, unavailability, no preference and unacceptable taste were major problems for consumption of value-added fish and fish products.

Development of trawls for medium sized trawlers for Veraval, north-west coast of India

Comparative fishing experiments with 25 m bulged belly and 25 m six seam trawls were carried out to study the relative efficiency of the gear. Bulged belly trawl was found more efficient than the other at depths below 40 m. The tension and horizontal opening were more in bulged belly and six seam trawl respectively. Bulged belly caught more of prawns and lobsters but there was no significant difference in the catch of sciaenids, cephalopods and ribbon fishes in the two nets.

On the comparative efficiency of "V" shaped and rectangular flat otter boards for trawling off Veraval, north west coast of India

V shaped all steel boards, with their inherent stability to tide over obstacles and mud, interchangeability of starboard and portside boards are found to be superior to conventional flat rectangular boards for bottom trawling. These are cheaper in construction, offer less resistance and give longer service. Comparative trials with the two types of boards showed significant difference in tension between the boards but not in catch or horizontal opening.

Performance of 25m large mesh demersal trawl off Veraval, north west coast of India

Performance of a 25m large mesh demersal trawl, with 150mm mesh size in the fore parts of the trawl was evaluated in comparison with one boat high opening trawl of the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) with 360 meshes of 160mm mesh size and 25.6m head rope length. An 8.2% increase in catch was obtained by 25m large mesh demersal trawl. The gear is comparatively cheaper, lighter in construction and offered better horizontal spread with significantly lower towing resistance. Commercial suitability of the gear for efficient harvesting of demersal fish resources of the region is discussed.

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.

Political market characteristics and the provision of educational infrastructure in North India

In this paper, we are concerned with the provision of schools in rural North India, particularly with whether such provision is determined by the demographic and economic characteristics of the region or whether local democracy also plays a role. We find that the probability that a governing party loses an election has a positive effect on the provision of schooling infrastructure, while the margin of victory of the governing party has a negative effect. Political reservation for members of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) has a positive effect on schooling infrastructure in villages with a large SC population, but a negative effect overall.

Food-safety hazards in the pork chain in Nagaland, North East India: implications for human health.

Pork occupies an important place in the diet of the population of Nagaland, one of the North East Indian states. We carried out a pilot study along the pork meat production chain, from live animal to end consumer. The goal was to obtain information about the presence of selected food borne hazards in pork in order to assess the risk deriving from these hazards to the health of the local consumers and make recommendations for improving food safety. A secondary objective was to evaluate the utility of risk-based approaches to food safety in an informal food system. We investigated samples from pigs and pork sourced at slaughter in urban and rural environments, and at retail, to assess a selection of food-borne hazards. In addition, consumer exposure was characterized using information about hygiene and practices related to handling and preparing pork. A qualitative hazard characterization, exposure assessment and hazard characterization for three representative hazards or hazard proxies, namely Enterobacteriaceae, T. solium cysticercosis and antibiotic residues, is presented. Several important potential food-borne pathogens are reported for the first time including Listeria spp. and Brucella suis. This descriptive pilot study is the first risk-based assessment of food safety in Nagaland. We also characterise possible interventions to be addressed by policy makers, and supply data to inform future risk assessments.