Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for quarter 1: January-March 2015

Source of the Nile (SON) fish farm is located at Bugungu in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm have a collaborative arrangement with NaFIRRI, a lead agency in fisheries research and innovations, to undertake quarterly environment monitoring surveys at the farm. The agreed areas for monitoring are: selected physico-chemical parameters (i.e. temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, secchi depth); total suspended solids (TSS); nutrient status; BOD5) and biological parameters (i.e. algae, zooplankton, macro-benthos and fish). Water and biological samples as well as field measurements were taken at 3 sites: within the fish cage rows (WIC/experimental), upstream (USC/control) and downstream (DSC) of the fish cages. The key research question was: Does fish cage operations have impacts on the water quality and aquatic biota in and around the SON cage fish farm? The environment monitoring surveys were projected to cover a full calendar year (i.e. from January to December). The first surveys were undertaken in 2011 and have continued on an annual basis since then. The present report presents field observations made for the fourth quarter survey undertaken in November 2014 and provides a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and the different aquatic biota in and around the fish cage site.

Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Fish Farm for quarter 3: July-September 2011

Source of the Nile Fish farm (SON) is located at Bugungu area in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria. The proprietors of the farm requested for technical assistance of NaFIRRI to undertake regular environment monitoring of the cage site as is mandatory under the NEMA conditions. NAFIRRI agreed to undertake quarterly environment surveys in the cage area covering selected physical-chemical factors Like water column depth, water transparency, water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity; nutrient status, algal and invertebrate communities (microinvertebrates/zooplankton and macro-invertebrates/macro-benthos) as well as fish community. The first quarter survey was undertaken in February 2011; the second in May 2011 and the third quarter survey, which is the subject of this report, in September 2011. 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 aq-uatic biota, including the natural fish community at and around the cage site.

Physical modelling of large area 4H-SiC PiN diodes

The recent developments in SiC PiN diode research mean that physics-based models that allow accurate, rapid prediction of switching and conduction performance and resulting converter losses will soon be required. This is especially the case given the potential for very high voltage converters to be used for enabling distributed and renewable power generation. In this work an electro-thermal compact model of a 4.5 kV silicon carbide PiN diode has been developed for converter loss modelling in Simulink. Good matching of reverse recovery has been achieved between 25 and 200 °C. The I-V characteristics of the P+ anode contact have been shown to be significant in obtaining good matching for the forward characteristics of the diode, requiring further modelling work in this area. © 2009 IEEE.

Incidence of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in freshwater fishes in the endemic area of Punjab, Pakistan

Incidence of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) has been recorded for the first time in freshwater fishes in the endemic area of Punjab, Pakistan. Survey of private fish farms, hatchery and natural water bodies was conducted in a radius of 14 Km from around river Ravi near Lahore (Punjab Province) Pakistan. Out Of 1628 fishes belonging to 18 genera, 517 fishes of 10 genera were found affected with EUS. The incidence of EUS in culturable fishes was higher in Cirrhina mrigala (15.4%) moderate in Catla cat/a (13.3%) and lower in Labeo rohita (5.0%). Exotic fish, Chinese carp Ctenoparyngodon idella and Hypophthalmicthys molitrix were not affected with EUS. In non-culturable fishes the incidence of EUS was highest in Channa punctatus (72.8%) moderate in by C. straitus (65.45%) and comparatively lower Puntius ticto (43.7%). A slow growing temperature sensitive Saprolegnia spp. was isolated from all of EUS infected fish species. Aeromonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from the diseased fishes. Ectoparasites viz. Lernaea, Argulus and Triclwdina spp. were also isolated from the skin and gills of infected fish species. The disease was more severe in water having low alkalinity (70 mg/1), hardness (75 mg/1) and low temperature of 10-12 °C.

Household consumption pattern and buying behavior for fish in an area Mymensingh, Bangladesh

The study was conducted on 238 households in Bangladesh Agricultural University campus and its adjoining areas in Mymensingh. The household were divided into four groups based on their per capita income. Monthly expenditure on fish, income elasticity of demand and marginal propensity to consume were calculated. 'Weighted average' method was used to study the level of preference for fish by sex and age groups and frequency of its purchase. The per capita monthly expenditure on fish of overall households was found to be Tk. 178.83. The consumption increased considerably between and among the income groups rising from Tk. 63.95 in the lowest income group to Tk. 249.11 in the highest income group. Based on income elasticity the proportion of income spent on fish was found to be greater than the proportion of increase in income for lower middle and upper middle income groups. However, percent expenditure decreased from 8.15 in lowest to 5.49 in the highest income group. Female members between 20 and 40yrs had the highest preference for fish in general followed by male members of above 40 yrs. Children (0 to 8 yrs), on the other band, had the least preference for fish, Sing and Magur (Catfishes) were the most preferred fish species for each age and sex group. Rui, a carp, was the single most purchased fish while the introduced exotic fishes were the least bought. Freshness was found to be the most important factor followed by the appearance and taste perception that positively affected the fish purchase.

Population dynamics of killifish Aphanius dispar (Ruppel) in Sandspit area off Karachi

Growth and mortality parameters of Aphanius dispar a cyprinoides generally observed in the catches of near shore area were estimated from the length frequency data collected from Sandspit area of Karachi, using LFSA. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated as Loo=71.73 mm & K=L35/yr for Male Aphanius dispar and Loo=70.66 & K=l.41 for female. Total Mortality coefficient (Z) was estimated using Length converted catch curve which is equal to 2.12/yr, for male and for female 2.19/yr. Natural mortality (M) was estimated by Pauly's empirical formula: M=l.64/yr (male) and 1.70/yr (female). The species also displayed two cohorts a year.

An observation of performances in carp-prawn polyculture in respect of fingerlings size and water area

Performances of fingerling size and water area was studied. Seven species of fish included 25% of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, 15% of Gada catla, 20% of Labeo rohita, 10% of Cirrhinus mrigala, 10% of Ctenophyringodon idella and 20% of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were stocked at the rate of 8,000 individual/ha along Barbodes gonionoms at 6.0g weight size with a stocking density of 2,000 indl./ ha. Survival of all species was in the range of 39.9 to 96.3% except M. rosenbergii The highest survival was obtained from L. rohita (96.3%) followed by C mrigala (96.0 %)., B. gonionotus (92.3%), C idella (90.6%), H. molitrix (84.0%), C cada (81.7%) respectively. While the survival of M. rosenbergiiwas 13.1%. The highest production of 4912 kg/ha/yr was obtained from the bigger ponds (0.4 ha) stocked with 20-32g size of fingerlings, while lowest production (3123 kg/ha/yr) from small pond (0.1 ha) stocked with 3-10 g fingerlings. Economic analysis shows the highest net profit in bigger ponds stocked with bigger fish seed.

Status of the shore area from Tiengiang to Camau: causes of accumulation and erosion

The paper presents some results of the research programs which had been performed during 1996-1999 (“Studying of river-sea interaction in the mouth of Tien river” and KHCN.06.08). Based on these results the morphological schemes of the shore areas from Tiengiang to Camau were compiled; causes and mechanics of accumulation and erosion were also determined. These results may be used as scientific basis for forecasting the development of the shoreline, it will contribute to the management, protection and reasonable exploitation the shore areas.

A study on the piscifauna of the Idukki Reservoir and catchment area

From the area under report 17 species, 15 endemic and 2 exotic, of freshwater fish have been identified. Of these, 8 species are commonly found in the catches and are of fishery significance. The fact that small fish species which have no fishery importance also support life in other trophic levels of this ecosystem is well exemplified by the interaction of the birds and mammals with these species. A scientific management and monitoring of the reservoir waters as well as the remaining segments of forests are recommended to salvage the wild life and vegetation from a possible rapid deterioration within years.

A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF LESIONS OF AREA-7 OF THE PARIETAL CORTEX ON THE SHORT-TERM VISUAL SPATIAL MEMORY OF RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA)

This research is focused on the contribution of area 7 to the short-term visual spatial memory. Three rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained in the direct delayed response task in which 5 delay intervals were used in each session. When each monkey reached the criterion of 90% correct responses in 5 successive sessions, two monkeys underwent a surgery while the other one received a sham operation as a control. In the first stage of the surgery, bilateral areas 7a, 7b and 7ip of the parietal cortex of two monkeys were precisely lesioned. After 7 days of recuperation, the monkeys were required to do the same task. The average percentage of correct responses in the lesioned animals decreased from 94.7% to 89.3% and 93.3% to 82.0% respectively (no significance, P > 0.05, n = 2). In addition, the monkeys' complex movements were mildly impaired. The lesioned monkeys were found to have difficulty picking up food from the wells. In the second stage, bilateral area 7m was lesioned. In the 5 postoperative sessions, the average percentage of correct responses in one monkey, with a relatively precise 7m lesion, decreased from 94.7% to 92.2% (no significance, P > 0.05), while the other monkey, with widely spread necrosis of lateral parietal cortex, showed an. obvious decline in performance, but still over the chance level. After 240 trials this monkey reattained the normal criterion. The results of this research suggest that the lesions of area 7 of the parietal cortex did not significantly affect the short-term visual spatial memory, which has been shown to be sensitive to lesions of the prefrontal cortex; they also support the notion of dissociation of spatial functions in the prefrontal and parietal cortices.

Monitoring and evaluation of management effectiveness for adaptive management of MPAs in Indonesia's BOBLME area

Subcomponent 3.2 Marine Protected Areas in the conservation of regional fish stocks "Provision of Services Relating to the Assessment and Planning of Effective Management of two MPAs in Sumatra Coast, Indonesia". Assessments of management effectiveness of two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Pulau Pieh National Park and Sabang District, Sumatra, were conducted through two separate workshops. Recommendations were made and future needs identified.

Aging Affects the Neural Representation of Speed in Macaque Area MT

Human perception of speed declines with age. Much of the decline is probably mediated by changes in the middle temporal (MT) area, an extrastriate area whose neural activity is linked to the perception of speed. In the present study, we used random-dot pa

Population dynamics of Terapon jarbua (Forskal) in coastal area of Pakistani waters

Terapon jarbua is a widely distributed species in Pakistani inshore waters. It is well cherished by local coastal population. Present study is an attempt to determine some parameters of the population dynamics of the species in Pakistani waters. Analysis of data shows that the species attains asymptotic length (Loo) at 33.2 cm and have growth curve (K) of 0.62. Total mortality coefficient (Z) comes to 1. 67 per year, natural mortality coefficient (M) is estimated as 1.23 per year. The fishing mortality (F) is about 0.44 per year; whereas exploitation rate E=0.26.