Population Characteristics of Prawns in Natural and Selective Stocking System

present work deals with the various aspects of population characteristics of penaeus indicus ,Metapenaeus dobsoni and metapenaeus monoceros during their nursery phase in tidal ponds and adjacent backwaters.Importance of the present study is to suggest scientific basis for the management of penaeid resources in tidal ponds and backwaters based on their biological characteristics to ensure better yield.Seasonal closure of fishing will be effective in improving the size of the shrimp at harvest.Hydrology of tidal ponds varied with location, but showed a common seasonal pattem.Seasonal variation in temperature was very small. It fluctuated between 27.5 to 32.3°C in tidalponds and 26.9 to 29.9°C in open backwaters.Improvement of nursery habitats with due consideration for biological requirements of the resource will ensure better growth, survival and abundance of the stock.The recruitment, growth and emigration data of prawns from their nurseries can be used successfully for fishery forecasting. projecting juvenile growth forward through time, it is possible to establish, which cohort contributes to offshore fishery each year. So, by interpreting the recruitment and growth data of species in their nurseries with offshore catch data, fishery can be forecasted successfully.

Studies on Riverine Fishing Gears of Central Kerala

The overall focus of the thesis involves Studies on the riverine fishing geara of central kerala.Rivers and reservoirs of India harbour a rich and varied spectrum of fishes exceeding 400 species, which include commercially important fishes.The fish and fisheries play a crucial role in kerala's economy,employment generation ,food security and well being of its people.In the present study ,results of investigations conducted during 2001-2002 on riverine fishing gears of central kerala are presented along with detailed description of fishing gears,their distribution and operation covering aspects of selectivity and operational economics.Chapter I gives an introduction to the topiC of the study highlighting the relevance of the study and reviews of the existing literature on fishing gears and practices in riverine sector and sets out objectives of the study.The chapter 11 deals with the Materials and Methods used for the conduct of the investigations. In this chapter the area and the rivers selected for the study. reasons for the selection process and methodologies used for survey of riverine fishing gaear and investigations on design, structure and operation of different gear systems are presented.The chapter III discusses gillnet and its operation. Gill netting is one of the simplest and oldest methods of fishing. They are the most widely operated fishing gear in the rivers of Central Kerala. Gill netting being a low cost fishing method is of special interest for artisanal fisheries. Twenty different types of gillnets are operated in this sector.Chapter IV deals with cast nets. The origin and evolution of cast net has been briefly described in the introductory part.The chapter V deals with fishing lines, traps and other miscellaneous gears.This findings will be useful for riverine fishermen for deployment of appropriate gear systems during different seasons to ensure profitability of fishing operations.

Marine Actinomycetes as Source of Antimicrobial Compounds and as Probiotics and Single Cell Protein for Application in Penaeid Prawn Culture Systems

This thesis Entitled Marine actinomycetes as source of antimicrobial compounds and as probiotics and single cell protein for application in penaeid peawn culture systems. Ocean harbours more than 80% of all life on earth and remains our greatest untapped natural resource. The study revealed the potential of marine actinomycetes as a source of antimicrobial compounds. The selected streptomycetes were found to be capable of inhibiting most of the pathogenic vibrios, whichis a major problem both in hatcheries and grow out systems. The bioactive principle can be incorporated with commercial feeds and applied as medicated diet for the control of vibrios in culture systems.The hydrolytic potential inhibitory property against pathogens and non—pathogenicity to penaeid prawns make the selected Streptomycesspp.an effective probioic in aquaculture. Since there is considerably less inhibition to the natural in pond ecosystem the microbial diversityis being maintained and thereby the water quality. Actinomycetes was found to be a good source of single cell protein as an ingredient inaquaculture feed formulations. Large amount of mycelial waste (actinomycete biomassO is produced from antibiotic industries and this nutrient rich waste can be effectively used as a protein source in aquaculture feeds.This study reveals the importance of marine actinomycetes as a source of antimicrobial compounds and as a probiotic and single cell protein for aquaculture applications.

Fractal based techniques for classification of mammograms and identification of microcalcifications

After skin cancer, breast cancer accounts for the second greatest number of cancer diagnoses in women. Currently the etiologies of breast cancer are unknown, and there is no generally accepted therapy for preventing it. Therefore, the best way to improve the prognosis for breast cancer is early detection and treatment. Computer aided detection systems (CAD) for detecting masses or micro-calcifications in mammograms have already been used and proven to be a potentially powerful tool , so the radiologists are attracted by the effectiveness of clinical application of CAD systems. Fractal geometry is well suited for describing the complex physiological structures that defy the traditional Euclidean geometry, which is based on smooth shapes. The major contribution of this research include the development of • A new fractal feature to accurately classify mammograms into normal and normal (i)With masses (benign or malignant) (ii) with microcalcifications (benign or malignant) • A novel fast fractal modeling method to identify the presence of microcalcifications by fractal modeling of mammograms and then subtracting the modeled image from the original mammogram. The performances of these methods were evaluated using different standard statistical analysis methods. The results obtained indicate that the developed methods are highly beneficial for assisting radiologists in making diagnostic decisions. The mammograms for the study were obtained from the two online databases namely, MIAS (Mammographic Image Analysis Society) and DDSM (Digital Database for Screening Mammography.

Statistical Machine Learning Techniques for the Prediction of Learning Disabilities in School-Age Children

Learning Disability (LD) is a general term that describes specific kinds of learning problems. It is a neurological condition that affects a child's brain and impairs his ability to carry out one or many specific tasks. The learning disabled children are neither slow nor mentally retarded. This disorder can make it problematic for a child to learn as quickly or in the same way as some child who isn't affected by a learning disability. An affected child can have normal or above average intelligence. They may have difficulty paying attention, with reading or letter recognition, or with mathematics. It does not mean that children who have learning disabilities are less intelligent. In fact, many children who have learning disabilities are more intelligent than an average child. Learning disabilities vary from child to child. One child with LD may not have the same kind of learning problems as another child with LD. There is no cure for learning disabilities and they are life-long. However, children with LD can be high achievers and can be taught ways to get around the learning disability. In this research work, data mining using machine learning techniques are used to analyze the symptoms of LD, establish interrelationships between them and evaluate the relative importance of these symptoms. To increase the diagnostic accuracy of learning disability prediction, a knowledge based tool based on statistical machine learning or data mining techniques, with high accuracy,according to the knowledge obtained from the clinical information, is proposed. The basic idea of the developed knowledge based tool is to increase the accuracy of the learning disability assessment and reduce the time used for the same. Different statistical machine learning techniques in data mining are used in the study. Identifying the important parameters of LD prediction using the data mining techniques, identifying the hidden relationship between the symptoms of LD and estimating the relative significance of each symptoms of LD are also the parts of the objectives of this research work. The developed tool has many advantages compared to the traditional methods of using check lists in determination of learning disabilities. For improving the performance of various classifiers, we developed some preprocessing methods for the LD prediction system. A new system based on fuzzy and rough set models are also developed for LD prediction. Here also the importance of pre-processing is studied. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is designed for developing an integrated knowledge based tool for prediction of LD as well as its degree. The designed tool stores the details of the children in the student database and retrieves their LD report as and when required. The present study undoubtedly proves the effectiveness of the tool developed based on various machine learning techniques. It also identifies the important parameters of LD and accurately predicts the learning disability in school age children. This thesis makes several major contributions in technical, general and social areas. The results are found very beneficial to the parents, teachers and the institutions. They are able to diagnose the child’s problem at an early stage and can go for the proper treatments/counseling at the correct time so as to avoid the academic and social losses.

Legal Control of Fishing Industry in Kerala

This work is a study on ‘Legal Control of Fishing Industry in Kerala.Fishery and Fishery-related legislations are sought to be examined in the light of scientific opinion and judicial decisionsThis work is divided into five Part.The thrust of time Study is on the success of legislative measures in attempting to achieve socio-economic justice for the fishermen community.Fishing is more an avocation than an industry. It is basically the avocation of the artisanal or traditional fishermen who depend on it for their livelihood. As an ‘industry’, it is a generator of employment, income and wealth.The modern tendency in national legislations is to integrate legal proivisions relating to EEZ fisheries into the general fisheries legislation.Chartered fishing was introduced by the Central Government during 1977-78 to establish the abundance and distribution of fishery resources in Indian EEZ, for transfer of technology and for related purposes.Going by the provisions of Articles 61 and 62 of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, foreign fishing need be permitted in our EEZ area only if there is any surplus left after meeting our national requirements.Conservation of the renewable fishery resources should start with identification of the species, their habitats, feeding and breeding patterns, their classification and characteristics. Fishing patterns and their impact on different species and areas require to be examined and investigated.the Central Government, that the Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 was passed.our traditional fishermen that our Governments in power in Kerala resorted to the appointment of Commissions after Commissions to enquire into the problems of resource management and conservation of the resources. The implementation of the recommendations of these Commissions is the need of the times.General infrastructure has increased to a certain extent in the fishery villages; but it is more the result of the development efforts of the State rather than due to increase in earnings from fishing. Fisherwomen ar e still unable to enjoy the status and role expected of them in the society and the family.Around 120 million people around the tuorld are economically dependent on fisheries. In developing countries like India, small-scale fishers are also the primary suppliers of fish, particularly for local consumption. A most important role of the fisheries sector is as a source of domestically produced food. Fish, as a food item, is a nutrient and it has great medicinal value.Consumers in our country face a dramatic rise in fish prices as our ‘fishing industry’ is linked with lucrative markets in industrial countries. Autonomy of States should be attempted to be maintained to the extent possible with the help and co-operation of the Centre. Regional co-operation of the coastal states interse and with the Centre should be attempted to be achieved under the leadership of the Centre in matters of regional concern. At time national level, a ifisheries management policy and plan should be framed in conformity with the national economic policies and plans as also keeping pace with the local and regional needs and priorities. Any such policy, plan and legislation should strive to achieve sustainability of the resources as well as support to the subsistence sector.

Apptication of Biofloc Technology (BFI) in Ihe nunery rearing and farming of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachillm rosenbergii (de Man)

This thesis Entitled Application of Biofloc technology (BFT) In the Nursery Rearing and Farming of Giant Freshwater Prawn,Macrobrachium Rosenbergii(De Man). Aquaculture, rearing plants and animals under controlled conditions is growing with an annual growth rate of 8.3% in the period 1970-2008 (FAO, 2010). This trend of growth is essential for the supply of protein-rich food for ever increasing world population. But growth and development of aquaculture should be in sustainable manner, preferably without jeopardizing the aquatic environment.In the present study, the application of BFT in the nursery rearing and farming ofgiant freshwater prawn, M. rosenbergii, is attempted. The result of the study is organised into eight chapters. In the first chapter, the subject is adequately introduced. Various types of aquaculture practices followed, development and status of Indian aquaculture, present status of freshwater pravm culture, BF T and its use for the sustainable aquaculture systems, theory of BFT based aquaculture practices, hypothesis, objective and outline of the thesis are described. An extensive review of literature on studies carried out so far on biofloc based aquaculture are given in chapter 2. The third chapter deals with the application of BFT in the primary nursery phase of freshwater prawn. Several workers suggested the need for an intermediate nursery phase in the culture system of freshwater prawn for the successful production. Thirty day experiment was conducted to study the effect of BFT on the water quality, and animal welfare under the various stocking densities. The study concluded that stocking finfishes in biofloc-based monoculture system of freshwater prawns has the potential of increasing total yield. Prawns having a higher commercial value than finfishes besides ensuring economic sustainability. Results showed that prawn yield and survival was better in catla dominated tanks. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended to incorporate 25% rohu and 75% catla in the biofloc-based culture system of giant freshwater prawns. The results of the present study also recommend to stock relatively larger catla for biofloc-based culture system. Fish production was also higher in the 100% catla tank. When catla was added in higher percentages it should ensured that the hiding objects in the culture ponds shall be used in order to reduce the chance of cannibalism among prawns. rohu and catla equally have the ability to harvest the biofloc, catla consumes the planktonic contributes in the floc whereas rohu grazed on the bacterial consortium suspended in the water column. In Chapter 8, recommendations and future research perspectives in the field of biofloc based aquaculture is presented.

Gill Nets of Kerala

The fishing industry the world over is passing through a critical situation.The landings of marine fishes seemed to have reached saturation in major fishing areas of the world.As a general rule fisheries employing fishing gear and techniques used by small scale and artisanal fishermen either from shore or from onboard small fishing craft come under small-scale fisheries.This study on gill nets of Kerala, the fishing method depended upon by maximum fishermen of the state focuses on the importance of this selective and low energy fishing method in the marine fishing sector of the state.The study opens with the conceptual framework by briefly reviewing the crisis in the marine fisheries sector. Maximum fishermen depend upon gill net, which is, an important selective and low energy fishing gear. A review of relevant literature on aspects such as material, selectivity and techno-economic efficiency together with scope and main objectives of the study form the major part of the compass of the introductory chapter.This survey provided the inputs for selection of centres. The chapter presents the basis for selection of sample centres, sample units and methodology for field and experimental study.The subject matter of the fourth chapter is a basic study on gear aterials. The weathering resistance, which is an important criterion to assess the material performance, was studied for polyamide monofilament in comparison to polyamide multifilament and polyethylene twisted monofilament.The study provides supporting evidence of oxidation and characteristic C-O stretching in polyethylene and cyclic lactam .formation and presence of OH in polyamide.The study indicates that small mesh gill netting can be encouraged as a selective fishing method in the inshore waters with restrained use of 30 and 32 mm mesh sizes. The economic efficiency was assessed using standard indices such as rate of return, internal rate of return, pay back period, fishery income, energy efficiency and factor productivity. The effect of size and cost of capital and cost of production on the economics of operation is also discussed in this chapter. It was observed that level of technology did not have direct effect on economic performance.

Computer vision techniques in seafood quality control

The application of computer vision based quality control has been slowly but steadily gaining importance mainly due to its speed in achieving results and also greatly due to its non- destnictive nature of testing. Besides, in food applications it also does not contribute to contamination. However, computer vision applications in quality control needs the application of an appropriate software for image analysis. Eventhough computer vision based quality control has several advantages, its application has limitations as to the type of work to be done, particularly so in the food industries. Selective applications, however, can be highly advantageous and very accurate.Computer vision based image analysis could be used in morphometric measurements of fish with the same accuracy as the existing conventional method. The method is non-destructive and non-contaminating thus providing anadvantage in seafood processing.The images could be stored in archives and retrieved at anytime to carry out morphometric studies for biologists.Computer vision and subsequent image analysis could be used in measurements of various food products to assess uniformity of size. One product namely cutlet and product ingredients namely coating materials such as bread crumbs and rava were selected for the study. Computer vision based image analysis was used in the measurements of length, width and area of cutlets. Also the width of coating materials like bread crumbs was measured.Computer imaging and subsequent image analysis can be very effectively used in quality evaluations of product ingredients in food processing. Measurement of width of coating materials could establish uniformity of particles or the lack of it. The application of image analysis in bacteriological work was also done

Some studies on the reproductive endocrinology of tiger prawn Penaeus monodon Fabricius

The growing demand for quality prawn seed from the farmers‘ and entrepreneurs, coupled with uncertainity of their availability from nature at the appropriate time in required quantities has prompted‘ research on problems connected with prawn seed production. Endocrine control of reproduction in the penaeid shrimp _P_. monodon has been investigated in detail by adopting a comprehensive approach to the problem. The major aspects of the study included in depth investigations of the cytological details of the reproductive and neuroendocrine organs in correlation with the process of gonadal maturation. Based on the conclusions drawn from such ultrastructural studies various endocrine manipulations were carried out to see their effects on gonadal maturation. Besides that studies on the reproductive quality of male P_. monodon and the cryopreservation of spermatophores form a part of the present investigation. The shrimp 3; Inonodon used in the present study were collected from the offshore waters of Cochin, Madras and Mandapam and from the culture ponds of Vypeen Island near Cochin (Kerala) . The entire investigation on the cytological aspects were carried out using standard histological and electron-microscopic methods. Endocrine manipulations and cryopreservation studies is also carried out using the standard methods.

Studies on the reproductive physiology of the green tiger prawn Penaeus (penaeus) semisulcatus de Haan

A study of the reproductive physiology of P. (P). semisulcatus wasundertaken as this information is an essential prerequisite for brood stock development for hatchery operations, and the results are embodied in this thesis. The thesis is presented in seven chapters. The protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents of ovary were estimated for the different vitellogenic phases. The protein, lipid, carbohydrate and cholesterol contents were estimated in testes and spermatophore.The thesis present the results of induced maturation experiments by eyestalk ablation, CNS extract injection and UV rays application on immature female prawns.

Ecological characteristics of prawn culture fields in the Cochin area

Prawn culture by traditional method forms an important occupation for the people in these areas, especially in the Vypeen island. Though short term studies have been made on various aspects of prawn culture field and its ecology, a study of detailed nature covering perennial, seasonal, fields and canals between coconut plantation is lacking from these areas. This study will also enable to assess the relative productivity of different systems during different seasons and the influence of the environment on the production potentials. Therefore the present study is taken upto throw more light on the ecological characteristics of these fields with special emphasis on its primary, secondary and tertiary production. The present area of investigation includes the prawn culture fields adjacent to Cochin backwater. The Cochin backwater (O9° 58'N 76° 28'E) is a shallow semi-enclosed body of water of tropical estuary. A narrow gut, about 450 M wide forms its main connection with the Arabian sea and this region is subjected to regular tidal influenceertiary production.

Application of Biofloc Technology (BFT) in the nursery rearing and farming of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (deMan)

In India a study conducted by CIFE and CIBA (1997), concluded that shrimp farming does more good than harm and it is not eco-unfriendly (Krishnan and Birthal, 2002). Upsurge in coastal aquaculture activity induced by high profitability is reported to have caused adverse impacts on coastal ecosystems and social environments (Parthasarathy and Nirmala, 2000). The crustacean farming sector has received criticism for excessive use of formulated feed containing high protein, of which around 50% gets accumulated at the pond bottom as unconsumed (Avnimelech, 1999; Hari et al., 2004, 2006). The wasted feeds undergo the process of degradation and results in the release of toxic metabolites to the culture system. Reduction of protein in the feed, manipulation and utilisation of natural food in the culture system are the remedy for the above problems. But before reducing the feed protein, it should be confirmed that the feed with reduced protein is not affecting the growth and health of the cultured animal. In the present study, biofloc technology is identified as one of the innovative technologies for ensuring the ecological and environmental Sustainability and examines the compatibility of BFT for the sustainable aquaculture of giant prawn, M. rosenbergii. This thesis starts with a general introduction (Chapter-1), a brief review of the most relevant literature (Chapter-2), results of various experiments (Chapter-3-6), summary (Chapter-7) and recommendations and future research perspectives in the field of biofloc based aquaculture (Chapter – 8). The major objectives of this thesis are, to improve the ecological and economical sustainability of prawn farming by the applicationof BFT and to improve the nutrient utilisation in aquaculture systems.

Studies on lipid nutrition in larvae and juveniles of the indian white prawn penaeus indicus h. milne edwards

Recent studies with prawns indicate that their growth, metamorphosis, maturation and moulting are affected by the typo and level of lipids supplied in the diets. Despite the recognition of the importance of lipids in the diets of prawns there is no information on the essentiality and quantitative lipid requirements of Indian penaeid prawns. Therefore during the present study about 24 laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the essentiality and dietary requirements of total lipids, phoapholipida, fatty acids cholestrol, and to ascertain the nutritional value of natural lipid sources for the larvae, post-larvae tad juveniles of one of the most suitable cultivable species of panaeid prans. All the experiments were conducted in the laboratory following standard procedures, using isonitrogen and approaximately isocaloric purified diets. Changes were made in tha ingridients as required for specific requirements. For the larvae diets of particle size < 37) were fed, For the postlarvae and juveniles pellet feed was given. while data on survival and growth of larvae and pout-larvae 1-10 were recorded, data were collected on the survival, growth, food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and biochemical composition at the body for post-larva 11-25 and juveniles. The influence ot fatty acid pattern of dietary lipid sources on the fatty acids profile of prawns were also studied in the case of juvenile prawns. Analysis of variance andleast significant differences test were employed to determine the significant differences between treatments in the observed parameters with the help of a newlett Packard master computer.

Echno economic studies on industrial fishing in the upper east coast of India

The present scenario of industrial fishing in India is that most of large trawlers are based at Visakhapatnam and congregate in the potential shrimp ground in the upper East coast of India commonly known as the Sandheads. These are outriggcr vessels operating two or four trawl nets along with a testing trawl called try net. In the early Seventies these vessels were operating on a very high economic return which was evident from the steady increase in number of outriggers over a period of twenty years. Since the total allowable catch has to be shared by all vessels including the increasing fleet, reduction per vessel output is bound to happen. Therefore some of them could not survive the competition and withdrew from the scene. The number of outriggers did not increase subsequently. However, there arose a doubt whether the existing fleet of about 180 vessels are fishing economically or whether there is any scope for further introduction of industrial vessels in the region. This study is focussing to the techno economic aspects of industrial fishing in the upper East coast of India