Sex ratios of Metapenaeus kutchensis George, George and Rao, 1963 and Parapenaeopsis sculptilis (Heller, 1862) in the Gulf of Kachchh, Western India

Sex ratio data of two species of penaeid prawns Metapenaues kutchensis George, George and Rao, 1963 and Parapenaeopsis sculptilis (Heller, 1862), occurring in the Gulf of Kachchh, were statistically analysed. A preponderance of females was observed in both the species and the ratio of male to female for both years combined for M. kutchensis and P. sculptilis was found to be 1:15 and 1:2.7, respectively. Chi-square analysis revealed significant difference in the sex ratio of the two species.

Pearl oyster survey, Gulf of Mannar, 1964

This note reports the results of the 1964 Pearl Bank Survey. These surveys are conducted annually by the Fisheries Department to assess the possibility of a fishery; for detailed accounts of past surveys see Sivalingam (1955, 1958) who has also provided (1962) a complete list of all literature on the Ceylon Pearl Banks. The 1964 survey was carried out with the Department's m. v. "North Star" (42') and m. v. "Seer" (45') and a 25' mechanised fishing boat as tender, between the 17th and 29th of April.

The 1958 pearl oyster fishery, Gulf of Mannar

The continental shelf between the three and twelve fathom lines, off the Ceylon coast in the Gulf of Mannar is popularly known as the Pearl Banks. Though the area of this plateau is extensive the pearl oysters are concentrated on restricted areas known as "paars". The more productive of these are the Cheval Group of paars and the Moderagam Paar. The Peria Paar and Twynam's Paar though covering larger areas are not dependable as oyster beds. The True Vankalai, Peria Paar Karai and Muthuvarathu Paars are small in extent, but have yielded oysters on a commercial scale. Although the Ceylon Pearl Banks has been commercially fished for centuries, the first scientific investigation of its pearl oysters on an intensive scale was started by Herdman in 1902 (1902-06) and later continued by Hornell (1905-41), Shipley (1904-06), Pearson (1911-33), Jameson (1912-13), Southwell (1910-14) and Malpas (1922-39).

Fishery potential of the Gulf of Kachchh

Fishery potential of the interior Gulf of Kachchh and adjacent creek regions was reported for the first time as baseline data for future ecological assessment. The experimental trawling and gill netting indicated that the inner Gulf (av. 7.8 kg/h) was three times more productive than the creek (av. 2.3 kg/h). The number of species found in the Gulf and creek were respectively 34 and 20 suggesting good biodiversity of the living resources of the area.

Length-weight relationship of a hill-stream fish, Glyptothorax telchitta (Ham.) from Saptakoshi River of Nepal

The length-weight relationship of a hill-stream fish, Glyptothorax telchitta from Saptakoshi River of Nepal was analysed using the formula W=aLᵇ. The exponential values computed for total length and standard length in relation to body weight were 2.991 and 2.888 respectively.

Bothid larvae (Pleuronectiformes-pisces) of the Gulf od Thailand and South China Sea

The larvae of bothids were found to be sparsely distributed in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea being only 11.9% in the Naga Expedition Collections. They were confined mostly to the coastal waters and were found in near shore stations situated between Bangkok and Saigon. Their density was high in the Gulf of Thailand. The larvae seem to prefer darkness with greater incidence during April 16 to October 15 period, with a peak in the collections taken during April. This report includes the occurrence of 17 species belonging to 6 genera collected from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea, along with their regional, seasonal as well as diurnal variations

Length-weight studies of Epinephelus chlorostigma and E. areolatus from Arabian Gulf

Regression coefficient value (b) of the length-weight relation of Epinephelus chlorostigma was registered as 2.6383, which is significantly (p<0.01) less than the hypothetical value (3). This coefficient of E. areolatus was registered as 2.9500, a value close to 3. The correlation coefficients (r) were registered as 0.9725 and 0.9837 for E. chlorostigma and E. areolatus, respectively, which show a good relationship between the two parameters.

A participatory study of the traditional knowledge of fishing communities in the Gulf of Mannar, India

This is the first in a series of case studies undertaken by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) to document the traditional knowledge of fishing communities dependent on marine and coastal resources in protected and conserved areas in different parts of the world. The study, done with the support of the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) project, documents the traditional knowledge of fishing communities in the Gulf of Mannar in the state of Tamil Nadu. It focuses on two fishing villages, Chinnapalam and Bharathi Nagar, whose communities have traditionally depended on Krusadai and Appa Islands for their livelihood. Traditional knowledge relating to oceanographic, meteorological, biological, ecological and navigational aspects of fisheries was documented. The study will be useful for researchers, students, scientists, policymakers, fishworker organizations, NGOs and anyone interested in the traditional knowledge of local fishing communities related to marine biodiversity and the customary use of fisheries resources and fishing practices.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, November 2013

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) have an established collaborative arrangement where NaFIRRI provides technical back‐stopping to enable quarterly environment monitoring of the cage site as a mandatory requirement of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The agreed study areas are selected physical‐chemical factors (water depth, water transparency/secchi depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and nutrient status), algal community (including primary production), aquatic invertebrates (zooplankton and macro‐benthos) and the fish community. This report presents field observations made during the fourth quarter (October‐December) field survey undertaken during December 2013; along with scientific interpretation and discussion of the results in reference to possible impacts of the cage facility to the water environment quality and aquatic biota.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, June 2013

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm requested NaFIRRI to provide technical assistance to undertake regular environment monitoring of the cage site as a mandatory requirement under the NEMA conditions. NAFIRRI agreed to undertake regular environment surveys in the cage area covering selected physical‐chemical factors (water column depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, nutrient status), algal aquatic invertebrates (micro‐invertebrates/zooplankton and macro‐benthos) and fish communities. During the year 2013, it was agreed with management to undertake quarterly environment monitoring surveys. However, the first quarter (January‐March 2013) survey was missed out due to late decision. The present report therefore covers the survey taken during the second quarter (April‐June 2013). 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 aquatic biota.

Bi-annual environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, December 2012

The first year-round quarterly surveys were completed for the year 2011. For the year 2012, SON management decided to change the frequency of the surveys from quarterly to biannual and the first such survey, was undertaken in June 2012. The second survey was undertaken in December 2012 and is the subject of this report: 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 aquatic biota. SON cage study sites were coded as downstream of cages (DSC), within cages (WIC) and upstream of cages (USC). Physical-chemical parameters (water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, were measured in-situ with a pre-calibrated hydrolab at each site. A digital Echo Sounder was used to determine the total water column depth at each site. A black and white Secchi disc was used to determine water column transparency. Coordinate locations were determined with a GPS device.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, August 2014

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) have an established collaborative arrangement where NaFIRRI provides technical back-stopping to enable quarterly environment monitoring of the cage site; a mandatory requirement of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The agreed study areas are physical-chemical factors (water depth, water transparency/secchi depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, BOO, pH, conductivity), and selected nutrients), algal community (including primary production), aquatic invertebrates (zooplankton and macrobenthos) and the fish community. This report presents field observations made during the third quarter (July-September) field survey undertaken during August 2014; along with scientific interpretation and discussion of the results in reference to possible impacts of the cage facility to the water environment quality and aquatic biota.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, September 2013

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located in northern Lake Victoria close to the headwaters of the River Nile. The proprietors of the farm have established a collaborative agreement with the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) to undertake quarterly environment monitoring surveys of the fish cage site at Bugungu in the Napoleon Gulf. This activity is a mandatory requirement of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of Uganda. Therefore NAFIRRI undertakes monitoring surveys once every quarter covering selected physical‐chemical parameters including water column depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and nutrient status; algal, zooplankton, macro‐benthos and fish communities. While the first quarter survey of 2013 (January‐March) was missed out due to late decision, the second quarter monitoring survey was dully undertaken in May 2013 and a technical report was compiled and submitted to the client. The present report covers the third quarter survey (July‐September) undertaken in September 2013. 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 quality and selected aquatic biota.

Environment monitoring technical report for the SON cage fish culture site at Bugungu, Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, March 2014

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm and the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) have an established collaborative arrangement where NaFIRRI provides technical back‐stopping to enable quarterly environment monitoring of the cage site as a mandatory requirement of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The agreed study areas are selected physical‐chemical factors (water depth, water transparency/secchi depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and nutrient status), algal community (including primary production), aquatic invertebrates (zooplankton and macro‐benthos) and the fish community. This report presents field observations made during the first quarter (January‐March) field survey undertaken during March 2014; along with scientific interpretation and discussion of the results in reference to possible impacts of the cage facility to the water environment quality and aquatic biota. The

Coastal development and pollution impact on the distribution of macrobenthic communities along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Suez (Egypt)

The configuration for the eastern side of the Gulf of Suez was studied over 241 km from Ras Mohammed to Ras Sudr including 35 station. Litters, tar balls and aged oil patches aggregated in considerable amounts on the beach and shore line of the middle part due to the oil spills from off-shore oil wells. A large reef flat in the shallow intertidal waters exists at stations 1 and 2 (Ras Mohammed, Protected area) and spars coral patches are less frequent at the Stations from 7 to 13. Density and diversity of marine benthos were higher on hard and cobble bottoms compared to muddy sand and sandy substrates. The assemblages of the benthic fauna are dominated by the gastropod Courmya (Thericium) vulgata; the bivalve Brachiodontes variabilis, and the barnacles Chthamalus stellatus, Balanus amphitrite and Tetraclita rubescens. The distribution of the algal cover in the intertidal region shows high abundance of the brown algae, Sargassum latifolium; padina pavonica and Cystoseira trinodis rather than the green and red algae. These species are found in both polluted and unpolluted areas. The changes in benthic structures in the study area depend not only on the state of pollution but also on the type of substrates.