Nutritional value of some small indigenous fish species (SIS) of Bangladesh

Twenty three small indigenous fish species (SIS) in the size range of 3-18 cm were analyzed for proximate composition and minerals (Ca and P) content to evaluate their nutritive value. The moisture content of different species ranged between 71.00 and 81.94%. In general, small sized fishes showed higher moisture content. The muscle protein content among the species varied widely (16.16-22.28%). In general, the muscle protein content of fishes showed higher value than the whole carcass protein content. The carcass lipid content varied between 1.87 and 9.55% and showed an inverse relationship with the moisture content. The gross energy content ranged from 19.51-27.30 KJ/g on dry matter basis. In the present study, the calcium and phosphorus contents ranged between 0.85-3.20% and 1.01-3.29% respectively. The calcium and phosphorus ratio (Ca/P) varied between 0.44 and 2.00. From the nutritional point of view, it shows that the SIS are good source of protein and minerals especially calcium and phosphorus

A small scale fish meal dryer

A batch type rotary drum dryer for the production of fish meal suitable for operation in the fishing villages of India has been designed, fabricated and operated successfully. The dyer can be used for production of fish meal from whole lean fish or press-cake from fish body oil extraction plants. The time taken to reach a moisture level below 10% is 5-8 hours depending upon the type of material fed into the dryer.

Biology, stock size and catch of small pelagic fish along the coast of Mozambique

A compilation of all the available information on the main small pelagic fish resources of Mozambican waters is presented. Resource data on distribution areas, reproduction, age, growth and stock size are described. Actual catch and catch per unit of effort of the commercially exploited stocks are also given. Results of the preliminary assessment of the stocks of scad and mackerel and the problems involving the assessment of Kelee shad stock at Maputo Bay are discussed.

Results of a random stratified bottom trawl survey for scad and mackerel stocks in Mozambican waters: small pelagic fish December-January 1985

The results obtained during the third phase of Nauka are reported concerning the standing stock estimates, population length structure and gonad development of scad and mackerel stocks and the catch composition in Mozambican waters.

Preliminary report on experimental fishing with purse seine and lampara nets for small pelagic fish varieties around Sri Lanka

Government of Sri Lanka initiated a project for conducting a experimental skipjack fishery using modern pole and line method and an experimental fishery for live bait and small pelagic fish using purse seine and lampara nets, with the, assistance of UNDP and FAO. Accordingly, the survey for small pelagic fish varieties using the purse seine and lampara nets commenced in April, 1972 and will continue until the end of 1975. This paper is a preliminary report on the results of the survey carried out between Septernber 1972 to October 1978.

Status of the gill net fishery for the small pelagic fish species in western, south-western and southern coastal waters of Sri Lanka during 1995-1997

Small pelagic fish species are mainly caught by gill nets operated by fibre reinforced plastic boats fitted with 8-25hp out board engines, traditional crafts fitted with 8-1hp out board engines and non mechanised traditional crafts. Around 28 to 55% of the small pelagic catch in the study area consisted of trenched sardine Amblygaster sirm during 1995-1997 period. Another 26-36% of the catch composed of other Sardinella species such as Sardinella gibbosa, S. albella, S. sindensis and S. longiceps. Engraulids such as Encrasicholina heteroloba, Stolephorus insularis and Stolephorus indicus and Thryssa spp formed around 3-5% of the catch. The major component of this fishery consisted of Clupeids and Engrauhds and over 65 species ranged between smaller Engraulids to incidental rock fish, sail fish, seer fish, sharks, skates and rays. Around 1.4 to 1.9% of the catch consisted of Chirocentrus dorab, Sphyraenaspp, Scomberomorus spp, Lepturcanthus sp and Megalaspis cordyla. Around 1-11% of the catch consisted of incidentally catches of sharks, rays, skates and sail fish. Another 1.6 to 6% of the catch consisted of Selar crumenophthalamus and Rastrelliger kanagurta. The best fishing season appeared to be from June to October in the west coast and August to December in the south coast. The major components of Amblygaster sirm, Sardinella albella and Sardinella gibbosa were caught within the size ranges of 10.0-22.5 cm, 11.0-13.0 cm and 11.0-15.0 cm respectively. However, smaller sized fish of above species of sizes between 6.9 cm to 9.7 cm total length were incidentally caught in the gill nets operated for small Engraulids with a stretched mesh size of 1.6cm. The overall catch rate for the major fish landing centre at Negombo indicated an increase from 38.5 kg/boat trip during 1984-1990 period to 49.5 kg/boat trip during 1995-1997 period. The catch rate for the dominant species Amblygaster sirm has decreased from 28.17 kg/boat trip during 1983-1990 period to 17.47 kg/boat trip during 1995-1997 period at Negombo. The paper also discusses the changing overall catch rates, change in species abundance and possible management consequences that should be considered.

Purse seining for small pelagic fish around Sri Lanka

An attempt has been made to study skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) live bait availability and other small pelagic fish, their seasonal variations with respect to distribution, species and size composition. Exploratory surveys made use of echo sounding and lookout during the day, and light attraction at night. Percentage composition of spp caught at each station is tabulated. Seasonal variations are discussed and monthly variations in some important groups are plotted. Size composition, especially for Sardinella spp, is considered. The availability of 'red bait' would not be adequate to support an extended pole and line fishery for skipjack. The daytime fishing methods were not considered to have been especially successful, and the choice of gear and method of capture is discussed. It is suggested that the present fishery could be improved by the adoption of ring nets by local fishermen in place of the present purse seines when catching bait.

Present status of harvesting, transportation and marketing of freshwater Small Indigenous Species of Fish (SIS) of Bangladesh

A survey conducted to evaluate the present status of harvesting, transportation and marketing of freshwater SIS of Bangladesh showed that among the 56 to 73 species of small indigenous fish species (SIS), mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), dhela (Osteobrama cotio cotio), puti (Barbodes sarana), tit puti (Puntius ticto), tengra (Mystus vitatus), chapila ( Gudusia chapra), batashi (Pseudotropius atherinoides), buzuri tengra (Mystus tengra), katchki (Corika soborna), gol chanda (Chanda ranga), lamba chanda (Chanda nama), phul chela (Chela phulo) and lata (Channa punctatus) are the most common. But the abundance of the mola, puti, tengra, batashi and chapila are higher than the other SIS species. Puti was at the top of the list in percentage abundance (7-9%), followed by mola (7-8%), tengra 6-7% and chapila 5-6% in all the investigated areas. Three levels of market or marketing systems were observed in the distribution channel of fish trade: primary, secondary/higher secondary and final consuming markets. Primary market is the catching point in the rural area. In secondary market, the collectors bring the fish from primary market to the landing ghats, usually to the nearest thana market or at a place well linked by rivers, road and rail transport. On purchasing the fish from the higher secondary market, the paikars sell the fish to the retailers who take it to the final consumer market. Different types of crafts and gears are used for catching the SIS in Bangladesh. Monofilament gill nets (20%), traps and line nets (25%) and seine nets (25%) are the dominant gears in respect of the total catch followed by lift net (10%) and cast net (20%). A total of 10 types of gear are listed according to their mode of operation which used for catching SIS. The processors in consumer market received higher marketing profit followed by primary market and secondary market, respectively.

Shelf life of dried products from small indigenous fish species under various packing and storage conditions

The overall quality of five SIS products was found in good condition up to 2 months storage on the basis of organoleptic, biochemical and bacteriological characteristics and all the products was excellent in sealed packed condition up to 45 days of storage. However, quality of the products stored in open air atmospheric temperature was found excellent for first 15 days. In an average the initial moisture content was in the range of 13.5 to 15.0% with highest moisture content in puti and lowest in chapila. At the end of the 60 days the moisture content reached to the range of 18.5 to 19.0% which was more or less near the recommended limit of 16% for dried fishery products. The moisture content beyond the recommended limit as the storage period increased further and at the end of 90 days the moisture content increased to the range of 22.9 to 24% when organoleptically the product quality became very poor. The changes in the value of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), peroxide value (PO), moisture and aerobic plate count (APC) of solar tunnel dried products in sealed polythene packages were investigated during 60 days of storage. There was little or no differences in TVB-N, PO and bacterial load of each species packed under various polythene density. The initial TVB-N values were in the range of 10.30 to 12.40 mg/100g of the samples. TVB-N value increased slowly up to the end of the storage period and was to in the range of 46.20 to 57.00 mg/1 00 g of sample. Initially the peroxide values (P.O.) were in the range of 6.54 to 8.40 m.eq./kg oil of the samples. During 60 days of storage, P.O. values increased slowly and at the end of the storage period these values reached to the range of 22.00 to 25.30meq./kg of sample. The initial APC was in the range 5.3xl04-7.3x104 CFU/g. The bacterial load increased slowly and at the end of the 60 days storage period reached to the range 6.6x106 - 8.6x107 CFT/g.

Marketing of small indigenous species of fish (SIS) in three selected fish markets of Mymensingh

A socio-economic survey was conducted round the year in three fish markets at Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The selected markets were categorized as rural market (Sutiakhali market), a peri-urban market (Kamal Ranjeet market, BAU) and an urban market (Notun Bazar market, Mymensingh town). It was learnt from the survey that the availability of Small Indigenous Fish Species (SIS) declined to a great extent over the last few years and at presently many of such fish species are either threatened or at the edge of extinction. The supply of SIS was highest in KR market (37% of total) and more or less similar in Notun Bazar and Sutiakhali fish market (25 and 27% respectively). The total supply of SIS fluctuated from 25% to 35% throughout the year in these markets. About 48 SIS were found in the sampled markets over the survey period. The highest number of species (45) was found in KR market followed by Notun Bazar (42) and Sutiakhali (37) fish markets. During the survey, three critically endangered species namely, schilbid catfish, garua catfish and rita were found in these markets. Beside these, other 11 and 10 species were listed to be endangered and vulnerable respectively. The biodiversity of 21 SIS found in three markets were no threat at all. Three species (guntea loach, Indian glass barb and flying barb) were 'data deficient' as reported by the IUCN Red Book (IUCN-Bangladesh 2000). From the supply point of view small prawn, spotted snakehead, stinging catfish, pool barb, striped dwarf catfish, Gangetic mystus, walking catfish and tank goby were the prominent fish. The least available species found in this survey were lesser spiny eel, barred spiny eel, Gangetic ailia, freshwater garfish, zig-zag eel, flying barb, Ganges river sprat, freshwater river shad and dwarf gourami. The weight of SIS available in Notun bazar was highest and nearly double than other two markets. There was no significant difference recorded in the supply of SIS in Sutiakhali and KR markets. The average monthly SIS supply was 185, 192 and 467 kg in KR, Sutiakhali and Notun Bazar, respectively; therefore, the cumulative average supply was 844 kg per month in three markets. The price of SIS ranged widely from taka 50-450/kg depending on species, location of market, time of purchase and the condition of fish. In general small prawn, ticto barb, dwarf gourami, Gangetic leaffish, and Annandale loach were sold at a lower price (ranged taka 50-100/kg) and these species could be considered at the bottom of the market-price list. Other SIS like walking catfish, climbing parch, butter catfish, cotio and schilbid catfish valued as highest price (ranged taka 150-450/kg). There was no specific marketing chain for SIS in Mymensingh region. The components of marketing channels and their expansion varied with seasons and locations. The general pattern, however, was as this - after buying fish from fish farmer/fishermen, middlemen (locally known as Foria) used to buy fish to wholesale market and sell to the wholesalers. The retailers used to buy fish from wholesaler through auction to the highest bidders. The retailers then send the fish to particular market where the fish reached the consumers. The livelihood strategy of SIS retailers in three fish markets showed that socio-economic constraints such as low income, poor educational background, low economic status and lack of capital are the main constrains [sic]. Most of the retailers proposed that government should control the fish price throughout the year, so that the producers can get reasonable and stable price. Construction of cold storage and preservation facilities at market sites, improvement of road and communication, improvement of physical market facilities and reduction of market chain is essential. Credit facilities, improvement of their standard of living, health and sanitary condition, housing condition, children education and access to drinking water facilities were identified as additional aspects to improve socio-economic condition of SIS retailers.

Quality assessment of traditional and solar tunnel dried SIS (Small Indigenous Fish Species) products

Studies were conducted to assessment the quality of traditional and solar tunnel dried SIS products. The moisture content of the solar products ranged from 14.38 to 18.48% with the lowest in batashi and the highest value in tengra. The moisture content of the traditional products was in the range of 23.26 to 26.42%. The range of protein contents on moisture free basis was from 67.57 to 71.90% in solar dried fishes with highest value obtained in dhela and lowest value in batashi. These values were more or less similar to those of traditional dried SIS products which were in the range of 68.02 to 73.54% on dry weight basis. Lipid contents of solar dried SIS varied from 14.10 to 16.26% and on moisture free basis the in the range of 11.73 to 21.98 with highest value found in tengra and lowest in puti. These values were more or less similar to those found for traditional dried products on dry weight basis and ranged from were 12.37 to 22.43%. Maximum reconstitution of solar dried products was obtained at 80°C in all samples and was in the range of 65.26 to 70.51% where the percentage of reconstitution increases with the increase of socking time and reach maximum at the end of up to 60 min. The TVB-N content of solar dried fish is low compared with traditional one ranging from 20.30 to 28.40mg/100g and peroxide value in the range of 12. 54 to 19.20meq./kg oil. The TVB-N of traditionally dried products were in the range of 32.50 to 45.45mg/100g and PO values of the traditionally dried products were in the range of 30.00 to 36.00meq./kg oil. The bacterial load of the solar dried products was in the range of 4.0x10 super(3)/g to 3.6x10 super(5)CFU/g and of the traditionally dried products ranged from 1.45x10 super(5) to 2.52x10 super(6) CFU/g.

Quality assessment of traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried small indigenous fish species products

Studies on the quality assessments of three traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried SIS products were conducted. Organoleptic quality of traditional dried SIS products available in the markets was poor compared to those produced in rotary and solar tunnel dryer. Reconstitution of samples were in the range of 54.26% to 75.24%, 69.37% to 83.73% and 55.08% to 80.24% when soaked at 80°C for traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried products, respectively. The percentage of reconstitution increased with the increase of soaking time and the uptake of water was maximum after 60 min of soaking. The moisture contents of traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried products were in the range of 26.02% to 27.33%, 16.23% to 22.84% and 13.71% to 19.30%, respectively. The protein contents were in the range of 60.78% to 72.59%, 62.17% to 76.27% and 61.11% to 76.00%, respectively; lipid contents were in the range of 12.26% to 22.60%, 14.00% to 24.71% and 13.92% to 22.39%, respectively and ash contents in the range of 15.11% to 16.59%, 8.32% to 13.51% and 8.71% to 16.45%, respectively on dry matter basis. The TVB-N content of rotary and solar tunnel dried products was low compared to traditional one ranging from 10.64 to 17.52 mg/100g and 14.34 to 15.68 mg/100g, respectively whereas the TVB-N content of traditional samples was in the range of 15.46 to 20.36 mg/100g. The bacterial load of traditional, rotary and solar tunnel dried products were in the range of 1.43x10 super(8) CFU/g to 2.89 x10 super(80 CFU/g, 1.91x10 super(8) CFU/g to 2.84x10 super(8) CFU/g and 1.95x10 super(8) CFU/g to 2.59x10 super(8) CFU/g, respectively. The results of the study indicated that dried fish products from rotary dryer and solar tunnel dryer were found to be of better quality in nutritional and food quality aspects than those of traditional dried products.

Polyculture of carp with small indigenous fish, bata, Labeo bata (Ham.) at different stocking densities

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) play very important role in the diet of the people of Bangladesh. Until recently, the possibilities of culture them in consideration with the Indian major carp yet to be explored. In view of the above, an experiment on the polyculture of carps with SIS, bata (Labeo bata) was carried out to evaluate their production performance in the on-farm condition during 15 March to 15 September 2003. Three different stocking densities of bata with carp species were given. After six months of rearing, the productions obtained were 2,466±98 kg/ha, 2,395 ±88 kg/ha and 2,074±94 kg/ha from treatments-1, 2 and 3, respectively. The highest production was obtained from treatment-1, when compared with treatments-1 and 2. The contribution of bata in terms of production was 10.31% in treatment-1, while it was 13.36% and 14.38% in treatments-2 and 3, respectively.

Production of quality dried small indigenous fish species products using low cost solar tunnel drier

A low cost solar drier was constructed using locally available materials. The size of the drier was 20x3.6x3 having drying capacity of 80 kg of SIS (w/w). Optimization of moisture content was observed for mola, dhela, chapila, chanda and puti at temperature ranges between 40-45°C and 50-55°C in solar tunnel drier. There was little or no change in moisture content at temperature below 40°C during the first 3 hours. Then the moisture content declined gradually with the increase of drying period. On the other hand, at temperature between 50-55°C, moisture content started to decline after 2 hours of drying. The moisture content of the sample reached at about 16% after 26 hours of sun drying at 40-45°C and 20 hours at 50-55°C. The optimum temperature for producing high quality dried products was 45-50°C in solar tunnel drier. The temperature and relative humidity outside and inside the dryers (with fish) at various locations were recorded from 8.00am to 4.00pm. The normal atmospheric ambient temperature was recorded in the range of 25-37°C from at 8:00am to 4:00pm. During the same period the atmospheric relative humidity recorded was in the range of 30-58%. On the other hand, the maximum temperature inside the dryers was recorded in the range of 28-65°C. The lowest temperature recorded was 28°C in the morning and at 13.00pm the highest temperature 65°C was recorded. The maximum relative humidity 58% found in the afternoon and minimum of 28% at noon. There was inverse relationship between temperature intensity of sunshine and humidity which decreased as sunshine increased. In total, it took around 26 hours of drying to reduce the moisture level to about 16%.

Genomic sequence of mandarin fish rhabdovirus with an unusual small non-transcriptional ORF

The complete genome of mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV) was cloned and sequenced. It comprises 11,545 nucleotides and contains five genes encoding the nucleoprotein N, the phosphoprotein P, the matrix protein M, the glycoprotein G, and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein L. At the 3' and 5' termini of SCRV genome, leader and trailer sequences show inverse complementarity. The N, P, M and G proteins share the highest sequence identities (ranging from 14.8 to 41.5%) with the respective proteins of rhabdovirus 903/87, the L protein has the highest identity with those of vesiculoviruses, especially with Chandipura virus (44.7%). Phylogenetic analysis of L proteins showed that SCRV clustered with spring vireamia of carp virus (SVCV) and was most closely related to viruses in the genus Vesiculovirus. In addition, an overlapping open reading frame (ORF) predicted to encode a protein similar to vesicular stomatitis virus C protein is present within the P gene of SCRV. Furthermore, an unoverlapping small ORF downstream of M ORF within M gene is predicted (tentatively called orf4). Therefore, the genomic organization of SCRV can be proposed as 3' leader-N-P/C-M-(orf4)-G-L-trailer 5'. Orf4 transcription or translation products could not be detected by northern or Western blot, respectively, though one similar mRNA band to M mRNA was found. This is the first report on one small unoverlapping ORF in M gene of a fish rhabdovirus. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.