Value chain analysis of the Egyptian aquaculture feed industry

The commercial aquaculture feed industry in Egypt is growing at a rapid rate. As a result, the number of fish feed mills has increased from just 5 mills producing about 20,000 t per year in 1999, to over 60 mills with a current production estimate of 800,000–1,000,000 t/year. The performance of the aquafeed industry in Egypt is not well understood, as the value chain structure has not yet been mapped. This study aims to assess the status of the fish feed sector in Egypt, with an emphasis on: mapping and understanding fish feed value chains, describing the main actors and stakeholders within the chain, assessing value chain performance, identifying major strengths and weakness of the sector, and suggesting appropriate actions, management and development strategies.

Sex ratio of the false trevaly Lactarius lactarius (Bloch and Schneider)

The sex ratio in Lactarius lactarius at different months and years was studied. Sex ratio data show that males outnumber females in all months except in October. The insignificant difference in the number of individuals of both the sexes during spawning months (January, March, October and November) indicated that males and females congregate during the spawning season. Among the larger specimens, males constituted the minority.

Prawn culture and policy options: technology import and culture through fishermen vis a vis industry

Recent developments in aquaculture has created an awareness that prawn culture is a dollar spinner, in which industry can step in to earn foreign exchange by producing an expensive food iten which has a high market demand abroad. The Government has to take a policy decision whether the prawn culture should be done through small fishermen to improve their socio-economic condition or through private industry with the high technology input and predefined objectives of export trade. Perhaps a simultaneous operation of the two could be allowed best in the interest of India. Perhaps in the interest of quick development and adoption of high production technology, through fishermen organization, the development is encouraged through the implimentation of welfare and area development schemes. In some selected areas private industry may be encoureged to use high production technology to develop prawns.

Fish seed production under controlled hatchery system: a cottage industry

The fish seed production in recent times has emerged as a cottage industry, with the development of controlled hatchery system. Two units of six buckets of vertical hatchery system i.e. Modern Carp Hatchery CIFE D-81 were installed in a private fish farm. 130.25 lakh spawn of Indian Major Carp (Cyprinidae) was produced during the 1988 season, with an average survival rate of 70%. The results support the viability of technology especially for the economically weaker section.

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.

Some aspects of reproductive biology of two sciaenids, Otolithes cuvieri Trewavas and Johnius elongatus Mohan: maturation, spawning, sex ratio and fecundity

The gonads of Otolithes cuvieri and Johnius elongatus are described in seven maturity stages. O. Cuvieri spawns once a year from April to September as evidence by ova diameter frequency distribution and GSI values. 50% maturity is attained at 210mm TL in males and 200mm TL in females. Fecundity ranged from 2387 to 104379 with a mean value of 33502. Log-Log relationship between fecundity and total lenght, body weight and ovary weight were determined. An overall sex ratio of 1.54:1.00 was unequal in favour of males. Johnius elongatus spawns twice a year from January-February to Aprile-May and from August to October as evidence by ova diameter frequency distribution and GSI values. 50% maturity is attained at 140-143mm TL in both sexes. Fecundity ranged from 4238 to 167669 with a mean value of 42818. Log-Log relationship between fecundity and total lenght, body weign and ovary weight were determined. An overall sex ratio of 1.00:1.20 was unequal in favour of females.

Sex ratio of the sole Euryglossa orientalis (Bl. & Schn.) (family: Soleidae) from the Karachi coast

This paper present a study on sex ratio and reveals segregation or aggregation of males and females in accordance with environmental conditions, the differential behaviour of sexes, and due to fishing.

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.

Effects of testosterone propionate on growth, survival and sex-ratio of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell)

For studying the effects of different levels of testosterone propionate on growth, survival and sex-ratio, five different doses such as 125, 100, 75, 50, 25 mg hormone per kg feed were administered to 5-day old Clarias gariepinus fry through diet for a period of 40 days. The growth performance in terms of weight and length gain of the fry receiving 100 and 75 mg hormone per kg feed were significantly higher than those receiving 50, 25 and 0 (untreated control) mg hormone per kg feed. The groups of fry treated with higher doses of hormone showed lower survival compared to those with lower doses of hormone. The frequency of male fish in the entire hormone treated groups except the 125mg/kg group, was significantly higher than that of the expected frequency of male fish in a normal population. The highest frequency of male fish, 92.08%, was obtained with the diet containing 50 mg hormone/kg diet however, the highest levels of hormone (125mg/kg diet) resulted in relatively lower frequency of male fish.

Fecundity and sex-ratio of Thai silver barb Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker)

The fecundity and sex- ratio of Borbodes gonionotus were studied. The fecundity of 99 gravid females varied from 18001 (total length 197 mm and body weight 72 g) to 42034 (total length 187 mm and body weight 159 g). The mean fecundity was 24959.23 ± 6961.48 (for mean total length 210.50 ± 17.26 mm, mean body weight 118.16 ± 37.34g, mean ovary length 70.21 ± 27.30 mm, mean ovary weight 13.66 ± 7.12 g and mean ovary breadth 15.4 ± 2.79 mm). The relationship between fecundity (F) and other parameters such as total length, total body weight, ovary length, ovary weight and ovary breadth were studied. The fish was highly fecund and the number of eggs produced was more or less directly proportional to other different lengths.

Studies on fecundity, sex ratio and crossbreeding in different strains of Guppy

Studies on the fecundity, sex ratio and crossbreeding in different strains of the guppy Poecilia reticulata such as Butterfly I, Butterfly II and Cobra strains was carried out. The highest fecundity among Butterfly I strain was at the 5th breed while it was highest at the 6th and 8th breed among Butterfly II and Cobra strain respectively. The average male percentage was 39.88%, 43.39% and 45.02% among Butterfly I, Butterfly II and Cobra strains respectively. The crossbreeding of strains showed good results among crossbreeds of Butterfly II (♀) X Cobra (♂) and Butterfly I (♀) X Cobra (♂). The crossbreed among the Butterfly I (♀) X Cobra (♂) proved to be excellent from the point of view of more percentage, rapid growth, and brilliant body and finnage colouration.

Study of disparate sectors in fisheries

Fisheries employ a number of people and fisheries industry is truly an amalgamation of various disparate sectors. Fisheries play an important role in Indian economy and it provides employment to a number of people. For planning of integrated development of fisheries industry and resource management, a considerable amount of information is required. In this paper a study of the disparate sectors with regards to the nature of work, number of workers, sex-wise participation, earning type and earning in Indian Rupees in the year 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1999-2000 has been done in a selected fishing village. The geographical locale where the study has been done is Versova fishing village which is a major fish landing centre in Mumbai. The study has revealed that there are a number of disparate sectors in fisheries and in this fishing village on an average, a boat owner provided employment to 30-60 people in the year 1994 and to 19-25 people in 1999. Though this number has shown a decreasing trend with the advancement of years, it is however, seen that a number of people are employed in various disparate sectors in fisheries. It is necessary to highlight this and in any developmental planning, all these sectors should be given equal importance.

Problems facing the deep-sea fishing industry in Sri Lanka

Fishing in Sri Lanka has been carried on largely with the use of traditional methods and in recent years there has been a marked increase in the use of mechanized craft for fishing. Although some effort has been made in the sphere of deep-sea fishing both by trawlers and long line tuna boats, such efforts have not made a significant contribution towards improving the industry. The progress of deep-sea fishing in Sri Lanka has been hindered due to a number of reasons described by the author.

Role of the state and financial institutions in financing the fishing industry

The experience of the Government in the recovery of loans for 28 foot mechanized vessels has been unsatisfactory. The author examines the various aspects which have contributed to this situation, and considers arrangements for financing purchase of such vessels. The risks associated with the investment in 38 foot vessels are high, and it seems that the reluctance of private investors to make the required contribution from personal funds is a result of fear of the unknown. Current incentives provided by the Government to the private sector for the purchase of 38 foot vessels are considered to be adequate.