new letter oct 2011 - mpeda.gov.inmpeda.gov.in/mpeda/pdf/newsletter/oct11.pdf · conferences,...

M P E D ANEWSLETTER

Photo courtesy in Cover design:M/s. H.T. Foods Pvt. Ltd.CSEZ, Kochi - 37Item : ‘Tiger Prawn’

Editorial Board

Marketing News

MPEDA’s participation in the 5th Seafood Expo, 2011 – Dubai ....................... 1

INFOFISH announces 12th Global Tuna Trade Conference & Exhibition ... 4

India International Seafood Show – 2012: Early Bird Schemefor Stall/Delegate Registration Continues ............................................................ 5

Focus Area

Fishing Vessel Monitoring System in the Republic of Mauritius ..................... 7

NETFISH Conducts Coastal Cleaning-up programmes in Tamilnadu ........... 9

Basic Training Programme on Ornamental Fish Breeding & Culture ........... 10

CIFT Conducts Training on Square Mesh Netting ........................................... 11

Quality Front

Application of Bacteriophages in Hatcheries ..................................................... 13

Food Safety & Standards Regulations – Impact on industry ........................... 14

Aquaculture Scene

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture organizedmud crab aquaculture training ............................................................................... 18

Algal Concentrates in Hatchery Culture .............................................................. 19

Extension Programmes in Aquaculture Organised by RC (AQ),Bhubaneswar in Odisha ......................................................................................... 21

News Spectrum ...............................................................................................24

Contents

Vol. XX No. 10 October 2011

Shri. N. RameshDirector (M)Shri. P. MohanasundaramDirectorShri. B. SreekumarSecretarySmt. K.M. VeenaJt. Director (Dev.)Shri. Thampi Sam RajJoint Director (Trng)Shri. K.N. Vimal KumarJoint Director (QC)Dr. Al. MuthuramanDeputy Director (Soc)

EditorDr. Ram Mohan M.K.Deputy Director (P&MP)[email protected]. in

Assistant EditorShri. S. Bhaskaran [email protected]

Printed and Published by:Shri. B. SreekumarSecretary,MPEDA, Kochi - 36Printed at Amarakerala Industries,Kochi -18

The Marine Products ExportDevelopment Authority(Ministry of Commerce &.Industry, Govt. of India)MPEDA House, Panampilly Avenue,Kochi - 682 036.Telephone : 91-484-2311979Fax: 91-484-2313361E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.mpeda.com

MPEDA Newsletter • October 2011 | 1

MARKETING NEWSMPEDA’s participation in the 5th Seafood Expo,2011 – Dubai

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)is a federation of seven States formedin 1971. Since then, it has emerged asone of the Middle East’s mostimportant economic centre. Thougheach Emirate-viz., Abu Dhabi, Dubai,Ajman, Fujairah, Ras-al-Khaimah,Shar jah and Umm-al-Qaiwainmaintains a great degree ofindependence, UAE is governed by aSupreme Council of Rulers made upof seven Emirates, who appoint thePrime Minister and the Cabinet.

Before oil was discovered in the1950’s, the UAE’s economy wasdependent on mainly fishing. But since1962, when Abu Dhabi became thefirst of the Emirates to begin oilexports, the country’s economy andsocial status have transformed a lot.Further, the oil industry is attracted alarge influx of foreigners, whotogether with the expatriates, nowmake up more than three quarter of

the population. Of the total 7.512million population of UAE, slightlymore than 20% are Emiriti, more thanone-third South Asians and asignificant number are from Europe

and North America. The capital ofEmirates is Abu Dhabi and the majorcity is Dubai.

While Abu Dhabi still remainsrelatively conservative in its approach,Dubai, which has far smaller oilreserves, has grown bolder in itsdiversification policy which attractedhuge foreign investment for ambitiousconstruction projects. The famousBurj Khalifa Sky Scrap, the tallest manmade structure ever built and thefuturistic land reclamation project(such as the artificial palm islands) area couple of examples. But theworldwide freeze in credit markets hitDubai harder than oil rich Abu Dhabi.

UAE’s economy depends largelyon export trade of petroleum gas andpetroleum products. Importconstitutes machinery, chemicals andfood products. India is also one amongthe major suppliers to UAE.

L to R: Mr. P.K. Ashok Babu Consul, Consulate General of India, UAE, Mr.Premdev K V and Mr. K S Nair, Asst. Directors, MPEDA

Mr. K S Nair, Asst. Director, MPEDA and Mr. Rajakannu, SO, MoCIwith a visitor

2 | MPEDA Newsletter • October 2011

MARKETING NEWSThe ‘Seafood Expo, 2011- Dubai’

is the only seafood show of its kind inthe Middle East. The Expo is aninternational event, targeting a veryspecific sector of the market which isfocussed on the seafood and seafoodprocessing industry. Apart from theproducers, exporters and buyers, theexpo is also meant for those who areengaged in packing, labelling andtransportation of fish and fisheryproducts.

In the 5th Expo in its series, theexhibitors from world around broughtwith them an excellent range ofseafood products to tempt the MiddleEast buyers. There were almost 40stalls in the event, putting up anexcellent show of their products andservices. A majority of the visitors ofthe Expo were either decision makersor able to influence decision makingwithin their company/organisation,pre-dominantly from the Middle East,Asia and Europe.

The compact nature of the showfacilitated the select group of visitorsto spent longer time at each stand,giving the exhibitors adequate time toexplain their products showcased.

In the 5th Seafood Expo, 2011,MPEDA-India set up a stall (at AE 8& 9) admeasuring 18 Sq. mtrs. The stallwas aesthetically decorated withcolourful self sticking flex boardsdepicting a range of value-addedseafood products being processed andexported from the country. A widerange of value-added seafood productsprocured from different centres inIndia were also displayed in the freezerdisplay cabinet, apart from the fresh/chilled seafood products displayed ina revolving chiller.

Located at a vantage point, therewas a continuous good flow of visitorsin the MPEDA-India stall on all the

The food import also includes asubstantial quantity of seafood fromall over the world as the residents of

UAE generally enjoy a high standardof living because of their economicpower.

ITEM WISE EXPORT OF MARINE PRODUCTS TO UAEQ: Quantity in M T, V: Value in Rs. Crore, $: US Dollar Million

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Frozen Shrimp Q: 6821 6455 6029 6789 5768 V: 189.91 172.63 185.96 208.41 195.36 $: 42.23 42.83 41.47 43.98 43.16

Frozen Fish Q: 5018 3701 3230 2204 3263 V: 55.79 37.13 37.76 24.98 40.34 $: 12.36 9.30 8.43 5.28 8.97

Fr Cuttle Fish Q: 102 68 117 41 90 V: 1.18 0.93 1.73 0.63 1.77 $: 0.26 0.23 0.39 0.14 0.39

Fr Squid Q: 1629 1304 1517 2104 1580 V: 15.56 10.74 15.24 18.21 14.96 $: 3.49 2.65 3.46 3.86 3.33

Dried Item Q: 487 529 1110 1192 709 V: 0.50 0.52 7.09 6.77 14.49 $: 0.11 0.13 1.60 1.40 3.22

Live Items Q: 2 0 2 2 2 V: 0.03 0.00 0.03 0.04 0.02 $: 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01

Chilled Items Q: 1179 929 1199 1641 1474 V: 19.71 18.58 27.47 39.56 38.53 $: 4.35 4.62 6.03 8.33 8.48

Others Q: 626 836 815 548 443 V: 20.35 29.15 31.74 22.00 17.48 $: 4.54 7.26 7.07 4.63 3.88

Total Q: 15864 13822 14020 14521 13328 V: 303.04 269.68 307.02 320.61 322.95 $: 67.36 67.03 68.45 67.63 71.44

80.00

70.00

60.00

50.00

40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

0.002000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

34.39 32.2737.21 35.86

47.79

57.92

67.36 67.03 68.45 67.6371.44


MARKETING NEWS

three days of the exhibition. Adequatelighting, colourful depiction of Indianvalue-added seafood products and

gorgeous display of a wide range ofvalue added products in the freezerdisplay cabinet provided a novel look

to our stall, which was widelyappreciated.

There were substantial enquiriesfor a wide variety of shrimp products(both wild caught and farm raised;particularly for L. vannamei) displayedin our stall. 76 trade enquiries werereceived during the three day eventwhich was published in the September2011 issue of MPEDA Newsletter.Apart from the enquiries receivedfrom the Middle East buyers, anumber of trade enquiries were alsoreceived from the countries like USA,Australia, Thailand, Taiwan,Philippines, China, Pakistan, Portugal,Poland, France, etc. This evidencesthe need for our continuedparticipation in the Seafood Expo –Dubai.

Shri. P.K. Asok Babu, Consul,Consulate General of India, Dubai,UAE visited MPEDA stall on the 29th

September, 2011 and appreciated theoverall arrangements made in the stall,including display of the value-addedproducts in the freezer cabinet. He hasalso visited the stall of M/s. GadreMarine Export Pvt. Ltd., Ratnagiri,India, the manufacturer exporter ofsurimi and surimi - analogue productsfrom India.

MPEDA team also promoted 18th

India International Seafood Show,2012, the biennial event to be held atChennai from 29th February to 2nd

March, 2012. Brochures onannouncement of the mega event were

Products displayed in MPEDA stall

Mr. K S Nair, Asst. Director, MPEDA (centre) and Mr. Rajakannu, SO, MoCI (left)holding discussions with a delegate

Mr. P.K. Ashok Babu, Consul, Consulate General of India, UAE (second from left)is briefed on the displayed products by Mr. K S Nair, Asst. Director. Mr. K V Premdev,

Asst. Director, MPEDA and Mr. Rajakannu, SO MoCI, are also seen


distributed to those evinced interest toparticipate in the show and invitedthem to be a part of the internationalshow.

Considering the genuineenquiries received for Indian seafoodproducts and the importance of theSeafood Expo, Dubai, the only show

of its kind in the Middle East, futureparticipation in the show will enhanceIndia’s market position in the MiddleEast market.

Dr. Muhammad Ayub, Director / CEO, INFOFISH (extreme left)in MPEDA stall

Mr. K V Premdev, Asst. Director, MPEDA (right) with a visitor

MARKETING NEWS

Infofish announces 12th Global Tuna TradeConference & Exhibition

INFOFISH has announced the12th Global Tuna Trade Conferenceand Exhibition viz., ‘INFOFISHTUNA 2012 BANGKOK’ to beheld in Bangkok, Thailand from 23-25 May 2012 at the Shangri-La Hotel.The event is organised byINFOFISH in collaboration withDepartment of Fisheries, Thailand,Thai Food Processors’ Association(TFPA), FAO-GLOBFISH, WorldTuna Purse Seine Organization(WTPO), Indian Ocean TunaCommission (IOTC), Inter-American Tropical TunaCommission (IATTC), InternationalCommission for the Conservation ofAtlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and Westernand Central Pacific FisheriesCommission (WCPFC).

The series of world tuna tradeconferences, organized by INFOFISH,

Participants in the 11th Conference.

has always been the best forum for theindustry players to keep abreast of thelatest trends and developments, exchangeviews and make business deals withpartners from all over the world.

TUNA 2012, the world’s largesttuna industry gathering, will take aclose look at the current issues andchallenges facing the global tunaindustry.


MARKETING NEWS

India International Seafood Show – 2012: Early BirdScheme for Stall/Delegate Registration Continues

The Marine Products ExportDevelopment Authority (MPEDA) inassociation with the Seafood ExportersAssociation of India (SEAI) isorganizing the 18th India InternationalSeafood Show (IISS) at Chennai TradeCentre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 29th

February to 2nd March 2012.

The India International SeafoodShow-2012 comes at a time when theMarine Products Export DevelopmentAuthority (MPEDA), the nodal agencyof Government of India for marineproducts export and the SeafoodExporters Association of India(SEAI), which represents all theseafood exporters of India, celebratetheir 40th year of service to the sector.MPEDA and SEAI are the jointorganizers of IISS-2012.

India International SeafoodShow, one of the largest seafood fairsin Asia is a biennial event whichprovides a common forum for theseafood processors, exporters,importers, processing machinery/equipment manufacturers, suppliersof inputs, other allied industries,investors, bankers, technicians, andtechnocrats from processing plantsand quality control departments,policy makers from State and CentralGovernment, Fishery Institutions,Research Organisations, tradepromotion bodies, and shipping linesto interact.

As a part of this event, there willbe an exhibition in which more than200 stalls shall be at the disposal fordisplaying vide variety of products,machineries, inputs etc. The early birdregistration of the Show with 20%dfiscount for stalls and delegatescloses on 30th November 2011.

However, early bird offer with 10%discount for registration of stalls anddelegates will be open upto 31st

December 2011.

Exhibitors Profile� Seafood Importers and exporters

� Seafood Processors

� Manufacturers of processing/packaging machinery/

equipments

� Suppliers of ingredients, additivesand other inputs

� Cold storage solution providers

� Manufacturers of aquaculturerelated machinery/equipments

� Producers of shrimp, scampi, fish,hatchery owners and other alliedsectors

Early bird scheme

Stall /Delegate registration fee

Registered Members ofMPEDA or SEAI

DelegateStall (3m x 3m)

IndianRs.

75000

Overseas$

1750

IndianRs.

10000

Overseas$

250

StallRs.

50000

DelegatesRs.

6000

Registered Membersof MPEDA or SEAI

DelegateStall (3m x 3m)

IndianRs.

60000

67500

Overseas$

1400

1575

IndianRs.

8000

9000

Overseas$

200

225

StallRs.

40000

45000

DelegatesRs.

4800

5400

Upto 30th Nov2011 (less 20%)

1st Dec to 31st Dec2011 (less 10%)


� Investors, bankers, financialinstitutions and insurance bodies

� Manufacturers of electronictesting/clearing equipments.

� Manufacturers of fishing gear,insulated fish box, tubes, crates etc.

� Operators of shipping lines, reefercargo, logistic service providers

� Technicians and technocrats fromprocessing plants and qualitycontrol departments

� Policy makers from the state an d

ADVERTISEMENT TARIFF- SOUVENIR & FAIR CATALOGUE

Page (all in colour) Domestic (Rs.) Overseas (US $)Back Cover 50000 1200Front inside cover 40000 1000Back inside cover 40000 1000Divider page 35000 850Regular inside page 10000 250

MARKETING NEWS

central government fisheryinstitutionsl

More than 1000 delegates areexpected to be a part of the event. Atechnical session involving eminentspeakers on various advanced topics isalso being organized for 2 days duringthe show. There is an overwhelmingresponse to participate in the Showfrom China, Japan and South East Asiabesides exhibitors from USA andEurope.

There would be two delegate pass

and one attendant pass per stall of9 sq.m.

Discount of 25% on bookingdone by other countries SeafoodAssociations (subject to minimumof 45 sq.m) and one slot inTechnical Session (If interested)will be given.

The number of delegates perregistered members of MPEDA orSEAI is restricted to TWO.

The delegate fee includescomplimentary lunch for 3 days


Fishing Vessel Monitoring System in the Republic ofMauritius(Dr. Ram Mohan M K and S Sasidharan Pillai)

The Republic of Mauritius is anisland nation off the southeast coastof the African continent in thesouthwest Indian Ocean, about 900kilometres (560 mi) east ofMadagascar. In addition to the islandof Mauritius, the Republic includes theislands of Cargados Carajos, Rodriguesand the Agalega Islands. MauritiusIsland is part of the MascareneIslands alongwith the French islandof Réunion and the island ofRodrigues. The capital of Mauritiusis Port Louis. The country sharesstrong ethnic and socio –economicrelations with India.

Mauritius imports about 60% oftheir seafood demand from othercountries that includes African nations,Seychelles, Madagascar, China,Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, SriLanka, India etc. The annual per capitaconsumption of fish is about 22 kg.The country’s average production isaround 8,000-10,000 tons whereas anequal quantity of seafood is imported.Shrimps form a major import. Theshrimp market for hospitality industryis very lucrative as the localproduction is low and comprisedmainly of the deep sea variety,Heterocarpus laevigatus caught from 800-1000m depth. Mauritius imported1650740 Kgs of fish and fisheryproducts worth US $ 8.67 million in2009 and 1,395,499 kgs worth US $ 8.2million during 2010. India’s marineproducts export to Mauritius wasaround 743.98 tons valued at US $3.62million in 2009-10. During 2010-11,

India exported 1240 tons of marineproducts worth US $ 7.40 millionrecording an increase of more than66% and 104% respectively in quantityand value terms with frozen shrimpbeing the principal item.

As per the 2007 statistics, therewere 2300 fishermen and about 1543boats were operating in the country.The country has vessels above 24mlength also, that goes for a voyage of9-10 days. The bigger foreign vesselsfish mostly in international waters andthey have on board freezing facilityand are capable to stay at sea for about3-4 months. They come to shore forbunkering provisions, fuel etc. and todeclare the catch. The country haspermitted certain vessels to fish in its

EEZ. This included vessels from EUalso. Based on an agreement betweenthe EU and Mauritius, the catchlanded has to be exported to EU only.During 2010, about 1, 20, 000 tonsof tuna was sourced by Mauritiusfrom the licensed vessels forprocessing. 45% of the tuna caughtwas from Mauritian EEZ while 55%was from international waters.Processed tuna is mainly exported toEU & USA as chilled tuna, tuna injars, canned tuna, tuna frozen loins(raw and cooked) and tuna chunks inpouches. The tuna varieties are mainlyYellowfin, Skipjack, Big eye and LittleTunny. The country has about 11 EUapproved units. Though licenses areissued to non-EU vessels, the material

FOCUS AREA


from such vessels cannot be exportedto EU. The country has got 8commercial vessels for lethrinids(snappers), which is a major fisheryin Mauritius. 16 vessels operate forchilled fish trade. The country mainlydepends on neighbouring Seychellesfor fresh fish supplies. Farmed Reddrum, Red Tilapia and EuropeanSeabass are also exported fromMauritius.

Vessel Monitoring SystemVessel Monitoring System

(VMS) in Mauritius is a monitoringbody that coordinates with similarbodies in the South West IndianOcean Fisheries Project (SWIOFP)that comprises countries like ComorosIslands, Reunion (France), Kenya,Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles,South Africa and Tanzania besidesMauritius. VMS, introduced in 2005,monitors all licensed fishing vesselsand software for it has been developedwith the help of a private firm basedin UK. The vessels are fitted withtransponders and the signals are usedto track the movement and location ofthe vessel through satellite network.They use two types of transpondersviz., Mini-C (uses the satellite Inmarsat)and Argos (Argosat). The systemfacilitates the position of the vesselsevery 1-2 hours. The generated data isstored on to the server at VMS. All thelicensed fishing vessels have to reportthe catch to any of the countries inthe VMS system, without which theycannot sell the catch. No mid-seatransfer is allowed. This ensurestraceability of the catch. The VMStransfers catch data to Fisheriesdepartment as well as Customs. Theposition details of the vessels are alsoprovided to the Coast Guard andnational Air Squadron.

The VMS also helps the vesselsin distress. Licence to fish are issued

SHRI B. SREEKUMARJOINS MPEDA AS SECRETARY

only to those vesse ls that arecovered under VMS. Around 229vessels are licensed by MauritianAuthorities upto 2010, of which 115are Taiwanese vessels and 16 are EUvessels. There are also vessels fromSeychel les, Oman, Afr icancountries, Indonesia , Vietnam,Malaysia etc.

Schematic diagram of the VMS operation

The system is very effective inmonitoring the fishing vessels in theregion and in ensuring traceability of thecatch meant for exports. India can alsoexplore the possibility of establishing asimilar system from major fishingharbours in order to track the movementof fishing vessels as well as to trace thecatch from production point.

FOCUS AREA

Shri B. Sreekumar is appointed as Secretaryof the Marine Products Export DevelopmentAuthority (MPEDA). Prior to joiningMPEDA, he was working as Deputy Director(Marketing) in SPICES BOARD holdingadditional charges of Planning & Co-ordination. He has also served theInternational Pepper Community, Indonesia anOrganisation formed under the auspices of theUnited Nations as Economist and has alsoworked in Rubber Board in various capacities.


NETFISH Conducts Coastal Cleaning-up programmesin Tamilnadu

Coastal pollution is one of themajor concerns for the developingcountries like India. Insufficient basicinfrastructure facilities and lack ofproper awareness among the publicadds up the problem of dumpingdebris in fishing harbours and itssurroundings. This debris, if notremoved, can be harmful and even fatalto many marine organisms and can alsobecome a human health hazard. Thereare issues such as fishes and othermarine animals getting entangledthemselves in broken fishing net piecesand die. At other times, the marinecreatures accidentally eat the marinedebris while feeding on natural foodwhich can further lead to starvation ormalnutrition, internal injuries,infections and even death. Every year,countless marine mammals, sea turtles,seabirds, and other animals aresickened, injured, or killed because ofdangerous items we allow into the sea.Plants, other immobile livingorganisms, and sensitive ecosystemscan also be harmed by marine debris.Coral reefs can be damaged by derelictfishing gear that breaks or suffocatescoral. Trash also poses health threatsto humans, contaminates marineenvironments, and clogs boatpropellers. Hence controlling this formof pollution is utmost important tomaintain a healthy marine ecosystem.

In this context, and in connectionwith International Coastal Clean-up Day,NETFISH and M. S. SwaminathanResearch Foundation (MSSRF) tookan opportunity to educate students,fisher folks, service groups and otherstakeholders about these adverseimpacts of marine debris and themeans to prevent it. The majorobjectives of the programmes were (i)

to create awareness among the coastalcommunity on coastal pollution and itsbad impact and (ii) to remove debrisand other waste materials along thecoast and harbour for encouraging thelocal community in doing so. With thisview two clean-up programmes wereorganized in Tamilnadu; one atMandapam in Ramnad District on 17th

September and the other one atPazhaiyar in Nagapattinam District on20th September. Both Mandapam andPazhaiyar are among the major fishingharbours in Tamilnadu and areimportant in terms of quantity of fishlanded meant for exports.

The programme in Pazhaiyar wasinitiated with active participation ofmore than 100 volunteers includingstudents from Pudhupattinam HigherSecondary School and President andmembers of Mechanized Boat Owners

Association and the Village Head.Impact of Coastal pollution andimportance of Coastal Clean-upprogramme were explained to theparticipants. The students were dividedinto small groups and each group wasgiven gloves and jute bags to collectthe debris. The cleaning activity wascarried out in the sea shore nearbyPazhaiyar Fishing Harbour. Theparticipants removed garbage, debrisand non bio-degradable materialsfound on the beach which in turnmotivated the local populace towardsmaintaining a clean environment.Approximately 300 kg of wastematerials were collected in 2 hrduration and properly disposed offthrough local panchayath garbagetruck. The programme also included arally by the students holding banners,phrases and slogans about cleanliness

Cleaning-up Programme at Pazhaiyar

Cleaning-up Programme at Mandapam

FOCUS AREA


MPEDA, Sub Regional Office,Mangalore, Organized 5 days’ Basictraining programme on OrnamentalFish breeding and Culture duringNovember 2011 at Krishi VigyanKendra, Mangalore. The Programmewas inaugurated by Dr. K. M. Shankar,Dean, College of Fisheries,Mangalore, in the presence ofDr. Hanumanthappa, ProjectCoordinator, KVK, Mangalore, Smt.Sushmitha Rao, Assistant Director ofFisheries, Mangalore, Mr. RajkumarS. Naik, Assistant Director, MPEDA,Mangalore.

30 beneficiaries from variousdistrict of Karnataka attended thetraining programme. During theprogramme various topics such asIntroduction to biology and varietiesof Ornamental fishes, Importance ofOrnamental fish culture, BreedingTechniques of Live Bearers and Egglayers, Aquarium Fabrication andSetting, Identification of ImportantOrnamental aquatic plants, Design andconstruction of Ornamental fish farm

Basic Training Programme on Ornamental FishBreeding & Culture

and Introduction to farm equipments,Water quality analysis and watermanagement (Ornamental fishculture), Entrepreneurshipdevelopment and marketingstrategies, Packing and Export ofOrnamental fishes, Importance ofartificial feed in Ornamental fish

Inauguration of the basic training programme

culture, Larval Rearing-Productionof live feed, Fish Health Managementetc. were covered.

The trainees were also given farmexposure visit as part of training. Thetrainees were evaluated on the final dayof training and feedback informationwas collected.

and coastal pollution etc., which hasdrawn much attention of natives of thePazhaiyar. NETFISH has alsoprovided two dust bins that are to bekept in the auction hall and fixed signboards describing do’s and don’ts infishing harbours.

The clean-up programmeconducted at Mandapam regioninvolved 200 volunteers includingNational Service Scheme volunteersfrom Schools, Youth Club members,Members of Boat owner’s association,National Virtual Academy (NVA)Fellows, Fisheries Officials, Scientists

from Central Marine FisheriesResearch Institute, Coast Guardofficials, Village Knowledge Centre(VKC ) Knowledge workers andMSSRF staff team. They were dividedinto 5 groups and did the cleaningactivities. The purpose and theimportance of the coastal clean-upprogramme and the impacts of coastalpollution were detailed to theparticipants. Coastal line of 500m wascleaned by the volunteers and removedthe debris and garbage from the northpart of Mandapam coast. Around1000 kg of debris were collected whichwere later disposed off with the help

of Mandapam Town Panchayat disposalvehicle. After the coastal clean-up, bitnotices were distributed to the fishingcommunity by the volunteers to raiseawareness on the importance of cleanfishing harbor. Do’s and Don’ts bannerswere also prepared and pasted in theMandapam Fishing harbour for furtherreference of fisher folks.

The clean-up programmesenvisaged the creation of awarenessamong the coastal community ofMandapam and Pazhaiyar on coastalpollution, causes of litter and theirimpact and removal of waste along thecoast.

FOCUS AREA


Dr. E. G. Jayaraj, Professor, Dr.Gangadhara Gowda, Professor andHead, Dept. of AquaticEnvironment and Management, Dr.Shivananda Murthy, Professor andHead, Dr. Iqlas Ahmad, Assistant

Conventionally, the codend oftrawls use diamond mesh. Squaremesh codends are more ecofriendlyand fuel efficient than the diamondmesh codends. The meshes in thesquare mesh codends remain openunder tension during trawling and thefiltration of water will be efficientand resultant drag wil l becomparatively less which minimizesfuel consumption. As the meshlumen remains open, it is easy forsmall fishes and juveniles to escapethrough the meshes which reduce thequantum of bycatch enabling theconservation of aquatic resources. Inaddit ion to these benefits, thequantity of net required forfabricating square mesh codend isless than the requirement for

CIFT Conducts Training on Square Mesh Netting

Professor, Dept. of Aquaculture,College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Dr.K. M. Rajesh, Subject MatterSpecialist, KVK, Mangalore, Mr.Ronald Dsouza and Dr. Ashwin Rai,MPEDA assisted beneficiaries,

diamond mesh codend of the samedimensions, result ing in lowerfabrication costs.

Mangalore, P. Moidu Kunhi, Farmer,Sullya taluk, Mangalore district, werethe faculty members.

The course certificates weredistributed to the participants by Dr.Shivananda Murthy.

Dr. M.R. Boopendranath addressing the trainees

Trainees along with Director-in-charge, Head of Division (EIS) and staff of Fishing Technology Division

A training programme on ‘Squaremesh netting’ for State Coordinatorsof NETFISH (MPEDA), was held at

FOCUS AREA


CIFT from 27th September to 01st

October 2011. Dr. S.Balasubramanium, HOD, EISwelcomed the gathering and thetraining programme was inauguratedby the Director-in-charge, Dr. P.T.Lakshmanan. Dr. M.R.Boopendranath, Principal Scientist,Fishing Technology Division, gave anoverview of the programme. Dr. P.Pravin, Senior Scientist was theCoordinator of the programme.

Nine State Coordinators and oneResearch Assistant of NETFISHfrom different maritime states of Indiaparticipated in the training programme.The 5 day training programme broadlydealt with different aspects of bycatchreduction technologies, overview offishing gear materials, impacts oftrawling on the resources and trawl codend selectivity. The trainingprogramme focused on square meshcodend with more emphasis on

practical aspects of making squaremesh codend and square mesh windowfor trawls. The participants also weretaken out at sea for a day on board thedepartmental research vessel SagarSakthi for demonstration of trawlingwith square mesh codend.

The valedictory function was heldon 1st October 2011 and certificateswere distributed to the participants byDr. P.T. Lakshamanan.

PERIODICALS

1. PRIME Weekly (Price Indicator for Marine Products) 350.00

2. MPEDA Newsletter 300.00

3. Chart on Commercial Fishes of India 75.00

4. Chart on Ornamental Fishes of India 75.00

5. MPEDA Act, Rules & Regulations 25.00

6. Statistics of Marine Products 2008 350.00

7. Seafood Delicacies from India 100.00

8. Indian Fishery Hand Book 250.00

9. Product Catalogue 150.00

10. Handbook on Ornamental Fish Diseases 50.00

11. Water Quality in the Ornamental Aquatic Industry - Serial 1 125.00

12. International Transport of Live Fish in the Ornamental Aquatic industry Serial - 2 125.00

13. Live Food Culture for the Ornamental Aquatic Industry - Serial 3 125.00

14. Biosecurity in the Ornamental Aquatic Industry - Serial 4 125.00

15. Ornamental Fish Breeders / Traders Directory 25.00

16. Guidelines - Green Certifications of Fresh Water Ornamental Fishes 100.00

17. Directory of Exporters of Marine Products 75.00

18. Directory of Exporters of Marine Products CD 30.00

Price List of MPEDA Publications / PeriodicalsAnnual

Subscription(Rs.)

PERIODICALS

PUBLICATIONS Price Per copy(Postage extra)

FOCUS AREA


QUALITY FRONTApplication of Bacteriophages in HatcheriesAbhilash EC, MPEDA, Cochin

Hatcheries are the primaryplatform of the breeding of fishes.Water is a source variousmicroorganisms and they can attackthe seeds in suitable time. Severalbacterial infections are reported inconnection with hatcheries due tomicrobes such as bacteria. Thetransmission of bacterial infection istoo fast when the host is seeds and useapproved antibiotics may also createmutated bacteria species. There aredifferent types of bacteria present inthe aquatic environments and amongthe infectious fishes, bacterial diseasesare reported to infest to most of thecultivable aquatic species. There are 40- 60 bacterial fish pathogens found tobe involved in fish diseases. Amongthem, Vibrio, Flavobacterium,Pseudomonas and Aeromonas spp. areknown to be great impeder of breedingof fishes.

There are several methods havebeen used world wide to preventbacterial infection in the hatcheries andfew of them only succeeded and stillthe research focused to find out betterremedy against bacterial infections inthe aquaculture sectors. There arereports from world wide that formerlyantibiotics or veterinary drugs used inhatcheries to prevent the bacterialinfection. Further, the misuse ofantibiotics caused the formation ofantibiotic resistance gene in bacteria aswell as the health risk in seafoodconsumers. As a result, use ofveterinary drugs is regulated in theEuropean Union according to the legalframework defined in the Directive2377/90/EC of 26th June 1990. This

regulation describes the procedure forthe establishment of maximum residuelimits (MRs) for veterinary medicinalproducts in foodstuffs of animalorigin. Consequently, variouspreventive measures replacedantibiotics and the bacteriophagetherapy is one of the important remedyagainst bacterial infection in hatcheries.Different institutes have beenformulated bacteriophages inlaboratories and found to be safe andeffective medication against bacterialinfection in the hatcheries.

Bacteriophages are viruses thatparasitize bacteria. Bacteriophageswere jointly discovered by FrederickTwort (1915) in England and by Felixd’Herelle (1917) in France.Bacteriophage means to eat bacteria,and are called so because virulentbacteriophages can cause the competelysis of a susceptible bacterial culture.They occur widely in nature and canreadily be isolated from feces and

Phages attacked on bacterial cell

sewage. Most phages range in size from24-200 nm in length. Bacteriophagesare classified based on nucleic acid suchas DNA and RNA. Depending uponthe phage, the nucleic acid can be eitherDNA or RNA but not both. Certainphages are known have single strandedDNA as their nucleic acid.

Water is the major source ofseveral bacteriophages since those arenaturally found in various water bodies.In such cases, producing large quantityof phages is highly technical and thespecific phages against the etiologicalagent can be detected from the samehatchery water where the infectionreported. Some cases, the specificphages can be isolated from theinfected aquatic animals. Because thephages might have already producedor reproduced in the hatchery wateror the animal by killing its host orbacteria. In view of bacterophagetherapy, a high quantity of phages tobe needed and it can be cultivated inthe laboratories. Firstly, agent ofdisease or bacteria to be isolatedseparately and cultivated in normalnutrient broth. Therefore, watersamples from hatcheries can beinoculated to nutrient broth and thebacteria can be isolated and identifiedthe same time the bacteriophage alsocan be isolated. In this experiment, thebroth shall be checked in nutrient agarplates by “soft agar overlay technique”and the formation of clear zones(plaques) after 24h incubation at 35C°are the indication of bacteriophage.The same technique can be used forthe isolation of genus specific orspecies specific bacteriophages. For


example, the nutrient broth containsVibrio species then the Vibrio-phages(Specific bacteriophages for Vibriospecies) shall be isolated from the watersamples by overnight incubation. Thisspecificity shall also be checked by“soft agar overlay technique” onnutrient agar plate or thiosulphitecitrate bile sucrose agar (TCBS) withthe pure culture of that Vibrio spp.The same soft agar overlay techniqueshall be used for quantifying thenumber of phages in the media bycounting t the clear zones on the agarplates and the unit is known as“plaques forming unit per gram (pfu/g). Further the each plaque to beremoved from the soft agar plate anddispensed in the phage buffer. Thosephages are to be further purified by

filtering through 0.45 micron filtershence, the phages will be free frombacterial cells. Such purified phagefiltrate can be concentrated byultracentrifugation with maximumspeed or rpm (rotation per minutes).Purified phages can be stored inminus 70°C in the phage buffer forlong term use. Quantified phageconcentrate can be used in thehatcheries at specified intervalsagainst bacterial infection. Dosage ofbacteriophages varies as per theinfection caused by bacteria. Differingfrom earlier inventions, the recentresearch works made alterations in thephagetherapy and now it is modifiedwith the following aspects, a)detection of specific-phages towardsthe target bacteria, b) modification in

the way of application, c) mixing upof different phages in single dose, d)concentration of dose, e) Inventionof lytic phages etc. Recent studies onphage therapy have been carried outby South Asian countries confirmedand stated that gene specific phagescompletely demolished the bacteria inshrimp farms; the experiments in Indiaconcluded that a bacteriophagesmixture could be successfully used inprotective programs on shrimphatcheries as a bio-control. The resultsof current works with bacteriophagesin the laboratories as well as the farmassure that phagetherapy will save theaquaculture industry from the bacterialdisease outbreaks in hatcheries as wellas farms.

[email protected]

Food Safety & Standards Regulations – Impact onindustry-Prabodh Halde & Chetana Bhandari

Introduction

The Food Safety and StandardsAct, 2006, was born out of the needfor an integrated food law, prioritizingconsumer safety and harmonization offood standards with internationalregulations. The Food Safety andStandards Act, 2006, is a newlegislation that integrates eightdifferent existing food laws and is acomprehensive enactment aimed atensuring public health and safety. Theimplementation of this Act will be amajor transformation that ensures tobring paradigm shift in the foodregulatory scenario of India. The FoodSafety and Standards Regulations,2011, have been released now in sevenchapters and are effective from August5, 2011. This analysis presents thehighlights of the regulations anddiscusses the impact of the regulationsfor the industry.

Impact on industry

The FSS Act 2006 compels thelicensing / registration of every singleentity in the food business. Theentities have been categorized as pettyfood manufacturers and foodbusiness operators depending upontheir manufacturing capacities. Pettyfood manufacturers, e.g. street foodvendors or small food businessoperators (FBOs) with annualturnover less than Rs 12 lakh will, fallunder the purview of registration andit is mandated that these petty foodmanufacturers must register with theregistering authority. The petty foodmanufacturer must follow the basichygiene and safety requirementsprovided in Part I of Schedule 4 ofthe Regulations. On application, aregistration certificate and a photoidentity card will be granted by theauthority, which the petty food

manufacturer shall display at aprominent place at all times within thepremises or his place of business.Licensing is applicable to foodbusiness operators which include bigand medium scale manufacturers,warehouses, distributors, importers,etc. The licensing system has been laiddown as a two-tier system comprisingCentral & state licensing. The list ofbusinesses which fall under thepurview of Central LicensingAuthority are enlisted in Schedule 1of the Food Safety and Standards(Licensing & Registration)Regulations, 2011.SCHEDULE 1 : FBOS UnderCentral Licensing

Dairy units including milk chillingunits equipped to handle or processmore than 50,000 litres of liquid milk/ day or 2,500 MT of milk solid perannum

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and nutrition / microbiology or adegree or diploma in foodtechnology or any degree ordiploma related to the specificrequirements of the businessfrom a recognized university orinstitute or equivalent

� The periodic annual return fromApril 1 to March 31 is furnishedwithin May 31 of each year

� No product other than theproduct(s) indicated in the licence/ registration is produced in thefacility

� The sanitary and hygienicstandards and worker’s hygiene isfollowed and implemented asspecified in the Schedule – 4

� The daily records of production,raw materials utilization and salesare maintained in a separateregister

� The source and standards of rawmaterial used are of optimumquality Premises for manufacture,storage, exposure for sale of foodare well separated from any urinal,drain, storage area for foul / wastematter

� Clean-in-place systems (wherever

Vegetable oil processing units andunits producing vegetable oil by theprocess of solvent extraction andrefineries including oil expeller unithaving installed capacity more than 2MT per day

All slaughter houses equipped toslaughter more than 50 large animalsor 150 or more small animals includingsheep and goats or 1,000 or morepoultry birds per day

Meat processing units equipped tohandle or process more than 500 kgof meat per day or 150 MT per annum

All food processing units otherthan mentioned under (I) to (IV)including re-labellers and re-packershaving installed capacity more than 2MT / day except grains, cereals andpulses milling units

100 % Export Oriented UnitsAll Importers importing food

items including food ingredients andadditives for commercial use

All food business operatorsmanufacturing any article of foodcontaining ingredients or substances orusing technologies or processes orcombination thereof whose safety hasnot been established through theseregulations or which do not have ahistory of safe use or food containingingredients which are being introducedfor the first time into the country

Food Business Operatoroperating in two or more states

Food catering services inestablishments and units under Centralgovernment agencies like railways, airand airport, seaport, defence etc.

The following officers have beenappointed as Designated Officersunder Central Licensing for therespective jurisdiction / area providedagainst the names.

The medium-scale manufacturers,depots / warehouses, distributors will

have to attain a licence from the StateLicensing Authority.

Licencing

The licence will be granted byLicencing Authority based oncompliance to the conditions oflicence and it may be obtained for aperiod of 1 to 5 years. The licencedestablishments will be subject toperiodical inspections and food safetyaudits by licencing authority or certainagencies authorized for the purpose.The following section enlists theconditions of licence that aremandatory for compliance at all timesof business.

Licensing Requirements

� A true copy of the FSSA licenceis displayed at a prominent placein the premises at all times

� Information with respect to anychange or modifications inactivities / licence content iscommunicated to the authorities

� The production process issupervised by at least onetechnical person, who possessesat least a degree in science withchemistry / biochemistry / food

Sl. Name of the Officer Areas of Jurisdiction No.

1. Dr. A.K. Singla, SMO Delhi, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, J&K,Himachal Pradesh,

2. Dr. Bishan Chand, MO Punjab, Haryana, Chandigrah

3. Shri. M.K. Singh, SIO Uttar Pradesh

4. Shri. Ais Kumar, DD Gujarat, Maharashtra, Dadra & Nagar Haveli,Daman & Diu, Goa, Madhya Pradesh

5. Dr. G. Srinivasan, SMO Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AndhraPradesh, Puducherry, Lakshadweep

6. Dr. S.K. Mohanta, SMO West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand,Sikkim, A&N Ilsands, Chhattisgarh

7. Shri. V.K. Pancham, SIO Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura,Mizoram, Meghalya, Nagaland

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necessary) for regular cleaning ofthe machine & equipments aremaintained and followed

� The testing of all relevantchemical and microbiologicalcontaminants in food products iscarried out through own orNABL / FSSA recognized labs atleast once in six months

� Required temperature /conditions are maintainedthroughout the supply chain fromthe place of procurement /sourcing till the consumer endincluding transportation, storage,etc

� The food products are bought /sold by the manufacturer /importer / distributor only fromor to licensed / registered vendorsand records are maintained Aregister is maintained for edibleoils and solvent extracted oil,showing the quantity of oilmanufactured, received, nature ofoil used as applicable and thedestination of each consignmentof the substances sent out fromthe factory. Such register isfurnished for inspection whenrequired by the LicencingAuthority

� Well equipped laboratory facilityfor analytical testing of samplesis available in the premises

� No edible oil is sold / distributed/ offered for sale / dispatched ordelivered for purpose of saleunless it is packed, marked andlabelled in the manner specifiedin the regulations

Labelling

There are not many changes inlabelling requirements for otherproducts. However with some of theorders merging into FSSA, theregistration numbers issued under suchorders may not be valid. This may

imply labelling revisions for labels ofcertain products. However, the LegalMetrology Act & Rules and Agmarkregulations are still operative. Alsoelaborate legislation for regulating labelclaims and claim substantiation arebeing framed and may be madeavailable soon.

Product standards

For the product standardschapter, the Food Safety & StandardsAct includes a section (Section 22)providing for new categorisation offoods namely health supplements,foods for special dietary uses, novelfoods, etc. The categories are definedbroadly in the Act and a more detailedregulation on this front is expected.This feature which was absent in theexisting food laws was anticipated tofacilitate and promote the developmentof new products thus enablinginnovation opportunities and thegrowth of the industry.

Sampling procedure

Sampling procedures have alsobeen changed in the new foodlegislation. The Food Safety Officer(FSO) will now draw four samples,instead of three as was the case inPrevention of Food Adulteration Act.The product sample will be dividedinto four parts, sealed and signature ofthe person from whom sample isdrawn shall be taken. One or morewitnesses will be called upon and theirsignatures taken at the time of drawingsamples. One part of the drawn samplewill be sent to the food analyst and thetwo parts of the sample will be sent tothe Designated Officer by suitablemeans. The Food Safety Officer mustserve a notice in form VA to the FBOright at the time of sample pick up.There is a provision that the FBO mayrequest for analysis of the remainingfourth sample by NABL-accreditedlaboratory. However, if the reports of

food analyst and accredited laboratoryare at variance, the sample may be sentto a referral laboratory the results ofwhich shall be considered final. Thefollowing schematic representationdepicts the process following thesample pickup by the Food SafetyOfficer.

Adjudication

The Food Safety & Standards Actalso provides for a new judicial processof adjudication. When the samplepicked by FSO fails in the analysis, thenon-compliance may be punishablewith fine or imprisonment.Prosecution will be launched in thecourt in case of the offences to bepenalised with imprisonment. Foroffences punishable with fine, the FSOmust file for adjudication of the allegedoffence. An adjudicating officer,appointed by the state, would presideon such cases. Anybody unsatisfiedwith the decision may appeal to thefood safety appellate tribunal. Thetribunal enjoys the same powers as acivil court and decides the penalty incase of non-compliance with theprovisions of the Act. Thus only thesevere cases of unsafe food will go tocourt. This system will help in thereduction of number of litigations andfacilitate quick disposal of cases.

Unlike the Prevention of FoodAdulteration Act, a graded penaltystructure is proposed based on theseverity of offences. The punishmentimposed will be a fine for offences likemanufacturing, selling, storing, orimporting sub-standard or misbrandedfood. Severe offences ofmanufacturing, selling, importingunsafe food may be punished withimprisonment along with a fine.However, the penalties for non-compliances are very high and this onlyemphasises the need for totalcompliance to the regulations in allrespects.

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Penalties and punishmentPenalty for substandard Rs. 5 lakhfood

Penalty for misbranded Rs. 3 lakhfood

Penalty on misleading Rs. 10 lakhadvertisement

Food containing Rs. 1 lakhextraneous matter

Penalty for failure to Rs. 2 lakhcomply with food safetyofficer

Penalty for unhygienic Rs. 1 lakhprocessing of food

Punishment for unsafe Six monthsfood to 10 yrs of

imprison-ment

Import of food

An additional chapter is expectedto be incorporated in the Food Safety& Standards Regulations on foodimports. The Authority has uploadedthe draft regulations for Food Safetyand Standards (Food Import)Regulations, 2011, and comments hadbeen invited for the same. The draftregulations include various chapters onlicencing of food imports, theirprohibition and regulation, the riskcategorisation, sampling and analysisand disposal of rejected food products.The imported food clearance processhas already been operationalised by theauthority since August-September,2010, through appointment ofauthorised officers at 14 major portsof entries.

Food recall

There are some otherrequirements which have beenintroduced with the implementation ofthese regulations. With a view toaddress the issues of food traceabilityunder the FSSA, 2006, establishmentof food recall procedures have been

made compulsory and it has been laiddown that a recall plan must besubmitted where applicable, along withthe licence application. Thenominations are present under thePFA Act. The companies will need tofile the nominations under the new lawto inform the licencing authority of thenominees for their establishments.

Way forward

Considering the size of the foodindustry, it will take time to penetratethe new food law and lots of awarenessneeds to be created by FSSAIauthorities. Features such as single-window for licences and special courtsto settle disputes have been welcomed.

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The first author can be contacted at:[email protected]

QUALITY FRONT


Rajiv Gandhi Centre forAquaculture (RGCA) has conducted atraining programme on Mud CrabAquaculture at the Head quarters ofRGCA at Karaimedu during October2011. Fish farmers and privateentrepreneurs hailed from the states ofMaharashtra, Orissa, Tamilnadu,Puducherry and Karaikal hadparticipated in the programme.

The participants included 7members including 3 women fromthe fishermen’s society of RaigadDistrict, Maharashtra. Remainingfour trainees were from Orissa,Tamilnadu, Pondicher ry andKaraikal. All of them have shownactive interest to start the mud crabaquaculture in their respective areasafter the training.

Classes on mud crab aquaculturewere handled by S. Pandiyarajan,Project Manager, S. Arualraj Asst.Project Manager, RGCA hatcheryThoduvai, K. Ganesh Asst. ProjectManager, Demo farm, Karaikal, G.Ganapathy, Asst. Project Manager,Technology Transfer and Training,Karimedu and Shri. Dinakaran, ATM,Demo farm, Karaikal.

Extensive field training on pondpreparation, construction of pens,stocking of seeds, monitoring of waterquality parameters, feed calculation,feeding, grading of mud crab, cagefabrications, packing of crab lets etc.were also arranged to the trainees inRGCA demonstration farm atKarukkalacherry, Karaikal. Thetrainees were also given practices onfencing of nets around the earthen

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture organized mudcrab aquaculture training

ponds, cat walk construction in theculture pond and recording data ongrading, feeding, and water qualityassessment.

The RGCA Hatchery facilities atThoduvai were also shown to thetrainees and explained various activities

involved in the production and rearingof Mud crab and Seabass seeds.Various levels of algal and larval feedproduction were explained to them.CDs containing various aspects ofMud Crab Aquaculture weredistributed to the trainees.

AQUACULTURE SCENE

Practical session


Culture of uni-cellular algae is aprerequisite for successful operationsin hatchery practices for shrimp, craband most fish. Problems with algalculture and inherent disadvantages aredescribed here, with their advantagesin many cases being overcome by thesedisadvantages.

The current study describes anovel, industrialised approach tonegate these disadvantages and to placehatchery culture methods on a moreconsistent and stable platform. Thisstrategy was designed andimplemented by Meriden AnimalHealth of the UK and is presented inthe form of the PHYCONOMIXrange of products.

It is estimated that over 40 speciesof uni-cellular algae are in use in theaquaculture sector. They are generallyrecognised as difficult to grow in massculture, particularly in low light(cloudy) or rainy conditions.

The most important factors toconsider in algal culture aretemperature, salinity, pH, light intensity,photoperiod and nutrientcomposition; the major expense inalgal culture comes in the nutrientcomponent.

Algae can require up to 17different trace components in theirculture medium. The cost ofproduction is further increased due tothe requirement for specialisttechnicians. Large scale cultureincreases the likelihood of breaches inbio-security, as pathogens can easily betransmitted from nearby culture tanksor via inadvertent introduction ofinsects etc.

Generally speaking, only one algalspecies tends to be cultured per singlefarmed species, therefore nutrient

Algal Concentrates in Hatchery Culturecomposition becomes acritical factor especiallywhen algae is entering itsdecline and death phases,and composition cantherefore vary widely.

Since single speciesalgae cannot provide all ofthe nutrients required bylarval shrimp and fish,careful selection of a rangeof algal species which coverthe spectrum of larvalnutrient requirementswould seem a logicalprogression. Said species ofalgae can be grown in asterile, hermetically sealed,bio-secure environment,then harvested at pre-determined times duringthe log phase of growth tooptimise nutrient qualityand consistency. Such algaecan then be concentrated via centrifugethen packaged and stored prior to use.

Such a system is flexible in termsof algal composition in thatformulations for fish and shrimp larvaecan be tailored to meet therequirements of the larvae. Theseconcentrates are easily stored andapplied to tanks and can also be usedto enhance and enrich living feeds suchas rotifers and Artemia nauplii. Its usereduces the need for mass culture tankswhich can then be turned over to larvaland nursery rearing and also reducesdemand on labour time andequipment.

Larval quality is improved anddevelopment is accelerated, resulting inhealthier, stronger larvae which can besold at a premium, thereby improvingreturns on investment. A trial was runcomparing live Chaetoceros with a

AQUACULTURE SCENE

commercially available algalconcentrate (MeridensPHYCONOMIX SHRIMP ZM) asfood sources for larvae of the whiteshrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) inThailand.

There were three controltreatments and three test treatments ineach study group, tank size was 5MTand stocking density at nauplius was200/litre. As well as their conventionalfeeds the test groups were fed onSHRIMP ZM two times/day to Mysisthree and then three times/day to PL15 following the manufacturers feedinginstructions.

Survival, length, weight, length/weight ratio, gut/muscle ratio, feedconsumption, hepatopancreatic Vibriocount, formalin stress test were allrecorded during this trial. ScanningElectron Microscope studies of the


harvested post-larvae were alsoconducted.

The accumulated data allowed fora return on investment calculation tobe made between the use of live andconcentrated algae during larvalshrimp culture.

Effects of a multi speciesalgae diet

By Zoea two an obvious sizedifference was noted (Li, pers. Comm.).At the same time, Controls experiencedan outbreak of Zoea two Syndromeand a significant mortality occurred.

It was noteworthy that waterquality in the test tanks was viewed assuperior to that observed in livecontrols. This has been mirrored inother trials (Pota, pers comm.;Somhathai, pers.comm).

The mean survival of threeconcentrate treatments ranged from 80– 88 per cent and was significantlyhigher than in the live controls (47-57per cent). Animals are significantlygreater in length, being 12.6mm inlength compared to 11.3mm andsignificantly heavier (1.52mg comparedto 1.43mg) than the controls, whichresulted in a significantly morefavourable length/weight ratio of 1.29compared to 1.20. Body weight andmuscle depth are consideredto be themost important factors in purchasingpost larvae.

Feed utilisation seems superior inthat the gut/muscle ratio favoursmuscle in the test groups (3.7 asopposed to 2.9) and this is manifestedas an increased Artemia nauplius andflake feed consumption, which are 30-40 per cent higher in the test groups.

The final post-larvae aresignificantly stronger and moreresistant to formalin stress asevidenced by survival rates of 100 percent compared to 75 per cent in

controls. Scanning ElectronMicroscope studies show significantdifferences in exo-skeletal structureand strength (Figure 1) as well as indevelopment rate of the compoundeye (Figure 2).

Such differences in stress survivaland the structural improvement in theanimals fed concentrates hassignificance to the grow out phase offarming operations.

Cost and return on investmentfigure prominently in any hatchery. Theuse of concentrates does in fact leadto more profitable production of post-larvae. This, coupled with the manyadvantages relating to ease of use makealgal concentrates very attractive tohatchery operators.

A future for hatcheries

Anectodal evidence suggests thatZoea two Syndrome commonlyexperienced in many hatcheries isnutritional in origin but complicatedby secondary invasion by bacteria orviruses (Li. Pers. Comm.).

This study, in which no outbreakwas experienced in the test groups,would tend to support that premise.The nutritional profile of a multi-algalspecies diet will be more complete thana single species diet and this will aid inthe protection of target animals

The improved water quality usingconcentrates may simply be a functionof improved shrimp larval healthleading to improved vigour andappetite. It was noted feedconsumption rates were higher butwere non-detrimental to the larvalenvironment.

In such an environment and witha much more complete, nutritionallybalanced dietary regimen, it is notsurprising that survival, growth, feedintake and resistance to stress are allsignificantly improved.

The developmental and structuraladvantages seen in the harvested postlarvae are of considerable interest togrow out farmers.

An examination of the carapaceby SEM reveals the carapace to be thinand pliable, and therefore more proneto damage. By contrast, the carapaceof animals fed on concentrate appearsmuch denser and stronger, and wouldtherefore be capable of resisting muchmore handling stress. Suchconsiderations are of vital importanceto farmers.

Even in the case of thecompound eye, the eye seemsincomplete in the controls (Fig.2) andthis will of course impact on feedingbehavior. It seems in general theconcentrate fed animals are moredeveloped than controls and thereforemore suited to the rigours of pond life.

Advantages are therefore notrestricted to simple survival andgrowth. There are many subtleadvantages that may escape directattention but become evident ondeeper study.

This developmental advantage isalso observed in trials withconcentrates in the nutrition of larvalfish. In a recent study on larval sea bass(Lates calcarifer) apart from theadvantages in terms of survival andgrowth, significant developmentalacceleration was observed indevelopment of dentition.

When factors such as ease ofstorage, ease of use, nutritionalconsistency, absence of potentialpathogens, reduced labour cost andfreeing of tank space are consideredalongside the aforementionedperformance superiority, the future ofalgal concentrates as a significant toolin hatchery culture seems secure.

Source: Meriden Animal Health, UK/thefishsite

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Extension Programmes in Aquaculture Organised byRC (AQ), Bhubaneswar in Odisha

A) Campaigns againstAntibiotics in Aquaculture

The Regional Centre of MPEDA,Bhubaneswar continued itsprogrammes of campaign againstantibiotics in aquaculture in differentvillages of Odisha during the monthof October, 2011. The programmeat Ranakotha, Balasore district wasattended by 50 farmers. Anothercampaign was organised at PalaJamkunda village in Balasore Dist.,which was attended by 47 farmers.

The third campaign in the serieswas organized at Patisunapur village inGanjam District, which was attendedby 38 farmers. The 4th Campaign washeld at Mandarajpur Village in GanjamDistrict. 33 farmers attended thecampaign. 5th campaign was organisedat Chudamani Village, BasudevpurTahasil in Bhadrak Dist. for the benefitof 45 farmers from shrimp farmingvillages viz., Chudamani, Adia andRadhanathpur.

Apart from MPEDA officials,distinguished guests namely Sri

Sadananda Mahapatra, Dist. FisheryOfficer cum CEO, BFDA/FFDA,Balasore, Dr. Maguni Maharana,Scientist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Baliapal, Balasore, Sri Anup KumarChand, Head Master, UGME School,Ranakotha, Balasore, ShriChandrashekar Rao, Lead Farmer, SriRabindranath Andia, Lead farmer cumfeed dealer, Jamkunda, Balasore, ShriK K Ray, Director, M/s RaysonsAquatics (P) Ltd, Chudamani and ShriBishnu Murthy, Lead farmerparticipated in these programmes.Lectures on various subjects related toshrimp aquaculture were made byMPEDA officials and distinguishedguests. Subjects discussed includedBMPs, CAA Licence, non-use of

antibiotics in aquaculture, Sampleanalysis under NRCP, ELISA Lab &Pre-harvest Tests, MPEDA Schemesand Society formation.

Shri K K Ray, Director, M/sRaysons Aquatics (P) Ltd, Chudamani,a progressive farmer himselfenlightened the audience atChudamani on the on-going sea bassdemonstration programme ofMPEDA in his farm.

Leaflets on banned antibiotics andguidelines on “Abuse of antibiotics inAquaculture” in Oriya vernacular weredistributed among the participants. SriG Rathina Raj, Deputy Director (AQ),Dr. Vishnudas R. Gunaga, JTO (AQ)and Dr D Roy, Field Supervisor,MPEDA have coordinated thearrangements for these programmes.

Farmers attending the AwarenessProgramme at Ranakotha.

Farmers in the programmeat Palajamkunda

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AQUACULTURE SCENE


View of participants at Patisunapur

L-R: Dr. Vishnudas R. Gunaga, JTO (AQ) , Shri ChandrashekarRao, Lead Farmer, Shri G. Ratina Raj, DD (AQ) and Shri L.K.Patnaik, FS, MPEDA

View of farmers at Mandarajpur

Shri K K Ray, Director, M/s Raysons Aquatics (P) Ltd,Chudamani addressing the farmers during the campaign

B) Awareness Campaign onMud Crab FarmingAn awareness campaign on mud

crab farming was organized at Sonapurvillage in Ganjam Dist., which wasattended by 26 farmers. The area isknown for its vast potential for crabfarming. Proven crab fatteningtechniques prevail in the area. MPEDAhas also conducted a successful crabfarming demonstration programme inSonapur in recent past. This hasinspired many farmers to comeforward and take up crab farming inGanjam District which is blessed withthe presence of Chilka Lake.

During the campaign, MPEDAofficials explained various techniques

L-R: Shri G. Rathina Raj, DD (AQ), Shri Gokul Behera, Lead Farmer, Shri S.K. Patra, FSat Sonapur Village.

AQUACULTURE SCENE


involved in crab farming. Shri GokulBehera, a leading farmer of shrimp andcrab aquaculture narrated his experience,and stressed the need for diversificationto crab as a best alternative. Literatureon mud crab farming was distributedto the participants.

C) 5-day Training Programmefor SC/ST beneficiaries on‘Adoption of CoPs forantibiotic-free shrimpproduction’ organised atBenakanda Village,Kendrapara Dist.

MPEDA, Regional Centre,Bhubaneswar has also organized a 5-

View of participants at Sonapur village

day training programme on“Adoption of Code of Practices(CoPs) for antibiotic free shrimpproduction” at Benakanda Village,Kendrapara district for the benefitof 20 farmers belonging to SC/STCommunities of Benakanda, Babar,Panchagochia, Guludia andKalatunga vi l lages from 10-14October, 2011.

Shri G Rathina Raj, DeputyDirector, MPEDA, inaugurated thetraining programme. BesidesMPEDA Officials, the inauguralprogramme was attended by ShriBiranchi Narayana Kar, DSF, BFDA,Kendrapara.

L-R: Shri L.K. Patnaik, FS, Shri G. Rathina Raj, Dy. Dorector (AQ), ShriSapan Mandal, Secretary, MPCC and Shri Dibakar Maity, Lead Farmerat Benakanda, Kendrapara

Trainees’ field visit at Benakanda

During the first 3 days technicalsessions were held. Classes werehandled by MPEDA and BFFDAOfficials. Subjects discussed includedStatus & future prospects of shrimpfarming in Orissa, site selection, design& construction of shrimp farm, CAAregistration & Legal aspects of shrimpfarming, Society formation, Seedselection & stocking, water/soil qualitymanagement, nutrition managementand MPEDA Schemes.

Sri Nabakishore Sinhal, SMS,KVK and Kendrapara delivered a guestlecture on selection of good qualityseed and stocking procedure.

On the fourth day, trainees weretaken to a field trip to crabdemonstration pond atKrishnapriyapur and to the shrimppond of Sri Akshya Kumar Rout,Krishnapriyapur where harvesting wasgoing on. Trainees were briefed onharvesting method and post harvestprocedure.

On the final day, a groupdiscussion was arranged where thefarmers interacted with the officials onvarious problems faced by them. Thecertificates to the trainees weredistributed by Sri Sapan Kumar MandalSecretary, Multipurpose CycloneCentre, Benakanda.

AQUACULTURE SCENE


NEWS SPECTRUMDeep-Sea Fish in Deep Trouble: Scientists FindNearly all Deep-Sea Fisheries Unsustainable

A team of leading marinescientists from around the world isrecommending an end to mostcommercial fishing in the deep sea,Earth’s largest ecosystem. Instead, theyrecommend fishing in more productivewaters nearer to consumers.

In a comprehensive analysispublished online in the journal MarinePolicy, marine ecologists, fisheriesbiologists, economists, mathematiciansand international policy experts showthat, with rare exceptions, deep-seafisheries are unsustainable. The“Sustainability of deep-sea fisheries”study, funded mainly by the LenfestOcean Program, comes just before theUN decides whether to continueallowing deep-sea fishing ininternational waters, which the UNcalls “high seas.”

Life is mostly sparse in the oceans’cold depths, far from the sunlight thatfuels photosynthesis. Food is scarceand life processes happen at a slowerpace than near the sea surface. Somedeep-sea fishes live more than acentury; some deep-sea corals can livemore than 4,000 years. When bottomtrawlers rip life from the depths,animals adapted to life in deep-sea timecan’t repopulate on human time scales.Powerful fishing technologies areoverwhelming them.

“The deep sea is the world’s worstplace to catch fish” says marineecologist Dr. Elliott Norse, the study’slead author and President of theMarine Conservation Institute inBellevue, Washington USA. “Deep-seafishes are especially vulnerable becausethey can’t repopulate quickly afterbeing overfished.”

The deep sea provides less than1% of the world’s seafood. But fishingthere, especially bottom trawling,causes profound, lasting damage tofishes and life on the seafloor, such asdeep-sea corals, these experts say.

Since the 1970s, when coastalfisheries were overexploited,commercial fishing fleets have movedfurther offshore and into deeperwaters. Some now fish more than amile deep.

“Because these fish grow slowlyand live a long time, they can onlysustain a very low rate of fishing,” saysauthor Dr. Selina Heppell, a marinefisheries ecologist at Oregon StateUniversity. “On the high seas, it isimpossible to control or even monitorthe amount of fishing that is occurring.The effects on local populations canbe devastating.”

The authors document thecollapse of many deep-sea fishesaround the world, including sharks and

orange roughy. Other commerciallycaught deep-sea fishes includegrenadiers (rattails) and blue ling.

“Fifty years ago no one ate orangeroughy,” said author Dr. Daniel Pauly,a fisheries biologist with the Universityof British Columbia (UBC). “In fact,it used to be called slimehead,indicating no one ever thought wewould eat it. But as we’ve overfishedour coastal species, that changed andso did the name.”

Orange roughy take 30 years toreach sexual maturity and can live 125years. Compared with most coastalfishes, they live in slow-motion.Unfortunately for them and the deep-sea corals they live among, they can nolonger hide from industrial fishing.

“Fishing for orange roughystarted in New Zealand and grewrapidly through the 1980s and 1990s.However, most of the fisheries wereoverexploited, and catch levels haveeither been dramatically reduced or the


fisheries closed all together,” saysauthor Dr. Malcolm Clark, a NewZealand-based fisheries biologist. “Thesame pattern has been repeated inAustralia, Namibia, the SW IndianOcean, Chile and Ireland. Itdemonstrates how vulnerable deep-seafish species can be to overfishing andpotential stock collapse.”

There are very few exceptions tounsustainable deep-sea fisheries aroundthe world. One is the Azores fishery forblack scabbardfish. There thePortuguese government has bannedbottom trawling, which overfished blackscabbardfish elsewhere. Azores fish arecaught sustainably with hook and linegear from small boats. In most deep sea-fisheries, however, trawlers fish outsideof nations’ 200-mile ExclusiveEconomic Zones, outside of effectivegovernment control.

“Deep-sea fisheries can besustainable only where the fishpopulation grows quickly and fisheriesare small-scale and use gear that don’tdestroy fish habitat,” said Dr. Norse.“With slow-growing fish, there’seconomic incentive to kill them all andreinvest the money elsewhere to get ahigher return-on-investment. Killingoff life in the deep sea one place afteranother isn’t good for our oceans oreconomies. Boom-and-bust fisheriesare more like mining than fishing,” Dr.Norse said.

The lawlessness of the high seasadds to overfishing in the deep. So donations’ fisheries subsidies.

High seas trawlers receive some$162 million each year in governmenthandouts, which amounts to 25% thevalue of the fleet’s catch, according to

NEWS SPECTRUMDr. Rashid Sumaila, an author andfisheries economist at UBC.

The authors of this Marine Policypaper say that the best policy wouldbe to end economically wasteful deep-sea fisheries, redirect subsidies to helpdisplaced fishermen and rebuild fishpopulations in productive waters closerto ports and markets, places far moreconducive to sustainable fisheries.

“Instead of overfishing theEarth’s biggest but most vulnerableecosystem, nations should recover fishpopulations and fish in moreproductive coastal waters,” says Dr.Norse. “Deep-sea fishes are in deeptrouble almost everywhere we look.Governments shouldn’t be wastingtaxpayers’ money by keepingunsustainable fisheries afloat.”

Source: Sciencedaily.com

Aquaculture output up on better prices, larger areaAquaculture production in India

during 2010-11 increased significantlyover the previous year, with a 40 percent rise in output, to 145,600 tonnes,valued at Rs 3,585 crore (a rise of 40per cent).

A rise in acreage and improvedprices are both responsible for the rise.The area under aquaculture rose to50,000 hectares (ha) by the end of2010-11, a rise of 10,000 ha over theprevious year. The average farm gateprice rose to Rs 246 a kg from Rs 200.Of the total exports of marineproducts of 813,091 tonnes in 2010-11, aquaculture items contributed 18.4per cent. Last year, this was around 15per cent. Of the total export valuerealisation of Rs 12,901 crore,aquaculture contributed 27.5 per cent.This was 20 per cent in 2009-10.

Andhra Pradesh led in aquaculturefarming, with a total output of 66,631tonnes (45 per cent of the total),

followed by West Bengal with 42,983tonnes (30 per cent). A remarkableincrease in productivity was noted inGujarat, from 1.9 tonnes/ha in 2009-10 to 2.9 t/ha.

Compared to the previous year’soutput of 95,919 tonnes, shrimpproduction (of the Black Tiger variety)rose 23.6 per cent, with an additional11,592 ha brought under cultivation.Andhra led with 49,030 tonnes from42,055 ha, followed by West Bengalwith 40,725 tonnes from 47,588 ha.The exports rose to Rs 3,080 crorefrom Rs 2,398 crore in 2009-10, agrowth of 28.4 per cent.

Vannamei shrimp productionbegan for the first time in 2009. Thisincreased to 18,247 tonnes, almostentirely from Andhra. Of the total,10,000 tonnes were exported, with avalue realisation of Rs 365 crore.Scampi production also rose in 2010-11, compared to 2009-10, though the

area under scampi farming hadreduced. The reduction is attributedmainly to lack of good quality seed forfarming and the difficulty in marketingsmall quantities.

Compared to the previous year’sproduction of 6,567 tonnes,production during 2010-11 was 8,778tonnes, higher by 33.6 per cent. Thetotal value realisation was Rs 140 crore,an increase of 33 per cent over theprevious year. These three varieties andthat of tiger shrimp (output of 118,000tonnes) make for almost the entireaquaculture production in India.

-Business Standard


Sanjay Dave, Director ofAPEDA has been elected as theChairman of Codex AlimentariusCommission (CAC), a UN body forfood safety standards. It is for thefirst time in the history of CAC thatan Indian official has been elected atsuch a coveted post. The elections

APEDA Official Elected Codex ChiefFAO and WHO to frameinternational food standards forprotecting health of consumersaround the globe and ensuring fairpractices in food trade.

Mr. Dave, while voicing his futurestrategies said his priorities would be

International Action To Fight Illegal Fishing

NEWS SPECTRUM

consensus between the membercountries. He added that since theCodex standards are taken as referencestandards in the framework of WTO,it is important to maximise the role ofdeveloping countries in the Codexstandardisation process, for greatermarket access in agricultural products.He also hoped that countries wouldwork towards harmonisation of theirfoodstandards with Codex to facilitatetrade.

He said that private standards arebecoming a major trade barrier for thedeveloping countries, thus,encouraging the private standardsetting bodies work closely with Codex,while it assumes importance to FAOand WHO regularly conduct a numberof capacity building programmes,particularly in food safety areas and thedeveloping countries including Indianeed to take maximum advantage toenhance their market access efforts.

-Apex Update

were held at Geneva on July 5, 2011.CAC is an international inter-governmental body set up jointly by

to ensure continuity of the leadershiprole for Codex and setting soundstandards based on science through

EU - Illegal fishing not onlyseriously distorts markets for EUfishermen and consumers, butthreatens to destroy the biodiversity ofthe world’s oceans, warned theFisheries Committee on Tuesday.

Given the high mobility of fishstocks and fishing fleets, illegal,unregulated and unreported (IUU)fishing can only be effectively tackledby international cooperation, saidMEPs, stressing that the EU, as theworld’s major fishing power and thelargest importer of fisheries products,should play a key role in mobilisinginternational community to combatIUU.

An estimated 15 per cent of worldcatches - between 11 and 26 milliontonnes a year - come from illegalfishing, making sustainablemanagement of marine resourcesimpossible, says the text. Besidesthreatening fish stock sustainability andfood security, which affects bothconsumers and fishing communitiesillegal fishing constitutes unfaircompetition for fishermen who abideby the rules, says the text.

“The EU needs to do more topromote effective internationalcooperation to combat illegal fishing,”said rapporteur Isabella Lövin(Greens/EFA, SE) stressing that “we

need to ensure that ruthless operatorscannot simply change the flag of theirvessels to avoid their responsibilities.With many fish stocks around theworld already perilously threatened,illegal fishing could be the final straw.”

Sanctions against negligent states

The technology to monitor andprevent illegal fishing now exists - whatis missing is the political will to do so,say MEPs. The committee urges theCommission and Member States topress the issue in international forasuch as the WTO, and calls forsanctions against states that fail to meettheir international obligations, e.g. by


MEPs urge theEU to consultmajor marketstates, such asthe US, Japanand China,a b o u td e ve l o p i n ginternationall e g a linstruments,possibly underW T Oauspices, tohalt, prosecuteand punish trade in IUU fish.

Other measures

MEPs would also like the EU toestablish a register of fishing vesselsauthorised to fish and blacklist thosethat engage in illegal fishing. They alsoadvocate stepping up inspections atsea, developing catch-documentationschemes, banning transhipments,compulsory use of electronic vessel

NEWS SPECTRUMensuring that vessels that fly their flagsabide by the rules.

The committee also says that aidfrom the EU’s generalised preferencesystem should be conditional uponapplicant countries’ compliance with FAOand UN rules against IUU and that theCommission and Member States shouldstep up their financial and technicalsupport for surveillance programmes inthe waters of developing countries.

Closing markets to illegal seafood

Since two thirds of world’s oceansare beyond national jurisdiction, newmeasures are needed, such ascompulsory registration of fishingvessels above 10GT (gross tonnage), aglobal catch certification scheme,international exchange of informationon vessels activities, import controlsand an agreement on closing marketsto illegally caught fish, say MEPs.

To be effective, such measuresmust be backed by major fish markets.

monitoring systems (VMS) andstronger regional fisheriesmanagement organisations to cover allhigh seas fisheries.

Next steps

The committee vote wasunanimously in favour (20 votes).Parliament as a whole will vote on therecommendations at its 14-17 Novemberplenary session in Strasbourg.

RULES requiring all UKGovernment departments andagencies to source fish from“demonstrably sustainable “ fisherieshave been welcomed by the MarineStewardship Council (MSC.)

The standards – coming intoforce this autumn – require caterers toensure that “All fish are demonstrablysustainable with all wild-caught fishmeeting the FAO Code of Conductfor Responsible Fisheries (includesMSC certification...”

The MSC say Government buyingstandards apply to catering contractsacross all central governmentdepartments and agencies, includingmilitary institutions and prisons. Thisequates to a total annual commitment

UK fish buying standards are good news, say MSCby government buyers of £16.1 millionper annum to sourcing sustainable fishfor meals provided to over 400,000people.*

Toby Middleton, UK countrymanager for the MSC said: “Thisrepresents an important recognition bythe UK government of thecommitments made by stakeholders incertified fisheries across the UK. Wewarmly welcome this as a positiveleadership piece setting an example tothe wider market which is showing everincreasing engagement withcertification. MSC certification is arigorous assessment process and thesenew procurements standards rewardthe efforts to achieve sustainablepractices made by fishermenthroughout the country.”

In total, over 250 fisheries areengaged in the MSC programme with131 certified and 131 under fullassessment. Another 40 to 50 fisheriesare in confidential pre-assessment.Together, fisheries already certified orin full assessment record annualcatches of close to nine million metrictonnes of seafood. This representsover 10 per cent of the annual globalharvest of wild capture fisheries.Certified fisheries currently land overfive million metric tonnes of seafoodannually – close to six per cent of thetotal harvest from wild capturefisheries. Worldwide, more than10,000 seafood products, which can betraced back to the certified sustainablefisheries, bear the blue MSC ecolabel.

-fishnews


Even as exports continued tomaintain a robust growth, registeringa 36.3 per cent growth at $24.80 billionin September despite downturn in theU.S. and eurozone, signs ofdeceleration have already started to setin.

Total exports for the current fiscalmight reach $290-300 billion,Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullarsaid here on Wednesday. Exportsslowed down in September whencompared to the 44.2 per cent growthrecorded in August. The U.S. andEurope are the two biggest markets forIndian merchandise, accounting forabout 30 per cent of total shipments.

First half exports up 52 % at $160 billion(Shipments rise 36 % at $25 b in September)

Imports in September grew 17.2per cent at $34.60 billion vis-a-vis thesame period last year, leaving a tradedeficit of $9.80 billion.

During April-September, exportsexpanded by 52.1 per cent to $160billion and imports by 32.4 per cent to$233.50 billion, leaving a trade gap of$73.50 billion. “The good news is thatexports continue to grow over the lastyear, but the heady numbers have gone,it is clear there is deceleration,’’ Mr.Khullar told reporters here.

During the first half of this fiscal,the sectors that registered healthy growthin exports include engineering (103 percent), petroleum and oil lubricants (53

per cent), gems and jewellery (23 percent), ready-made garments (32 per cent),marine products (48 per cent) anddrugs (33 per cent).

Mr. Khullar said exports weregrowing in new markets such as Africa,Latin America and Asia, which hadhelped India maintain the exportgrowth momentum. The Federation ofIndian Exporters Association said thetrade deficit was huge and might touch$150 billion by the end of 2011-12which was a matter of concern. DuringApril-September 2011-12, PoLimports grew by 42 per cent to $70.4billion year-on-year.

-The Hindu

Thanks to India, China,Indonesia, Ecuador and Mexico, U.S.shrimp imports jumped 9.8 percent inAugust, to 97 million pounds,according to figures released by theNational Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration’s (NOAA) FisheriesService on Thursday.

U.S. shrimp imports are well ontrack to top last year’s total of 1.23billion pounds. Through the first eightmonths of 2011, they were up 3.5percent, to almost 757 million pounds,reported NOAA Fisheries.

The greatest month-over-monthincrease came from Mexico. In August,U.S. shrimp imports from Mexico wereup about 38 fold, to 5.6 million pounds,from August 2010. That’s because theU.S. government had banned shrimpimports from the country last year,citing some Gulf of Mexico and Sea

U.S. turns to India, Ecuador,Mexico for Shrimp of Cortez trawlers for improper useof turtle excluder devices (TEDs); theban was lifted in October 2010.

India also boosted its shrimpexports to the United Statessignificantly in August, up 68.2 percent,to 15.5 million pounds. The countryhas shifted its shrimp production awayfrom black tigers and toward Pacificwhites, allowing it to increase its overallshrimp production. According to oneThailand-based shrimp exporter, Indiaexpects this year’s shrimp harvest tobe up 25 to 30 percent from last year,to about 300,000 metric tons, 60percent of which will be vannamei.

China also recorded a sizeableincrease in its shrimp exports to theUnited States in August, up 10.7percent to 11.9 million pounds, whileIndonesia watched its shrimp exportsto the United States edge up 8.8

percent in August, to 15.2 millionpounds. The same goes for Ecuador,which posted an impressive 52.5percent increase in its shrimp exportsto the United States in August, to 16.2million pounds.

As for Thailand — by far theUnited States’ No. 1 shrimp supplier— the news isn’t as positive. Its shrimpexports to the United States were down4.3 percent in August, to 41.3 millionpounds. Through the first eightmonths of 2011, they were down 4.2percent, to 246.8 million pounds.

Severe floods in early spring andagain in early fall due to a volatilemonsoon season has hamperedThailand’s shrimp production. Oneindustry veteran told SeafoodSourcerecently that raw material in Thailandis “very short” currently.

Source: Vietfish International

NEWS SPECTRUM


NEWS SPECTRUM

A low-fat diet with fish oilsupplements can slow down thegrowth of prostate cancer, researchhas shown.

Scientists in the U.S. made thediscovery after testing prostate tissuesamples taken from men with thedisease.

They found that just four to sixweeks on the diet was enough toreduce the growth of cancer cells.

Lifesaver? An American study hasfound that fish oil supplements canslow the growth of prostate cancer

The same effect was not seen inmen who remained on a regularWestern diet with no fish oilsupplements.

Study leader Professor WilliamAronson, from the University ofCalifornia at Los Angeles, said: ‘Thefinding that the low-fat, fish oil dietreduced the number of rapidlydividing cells in the prostate cancertissue is important because the rate atwhich the cells are dividing can bepredictive of future cancerprogression.

‘The lower the rate ofproliferation, the lesser the chances thatthe cancer will spread outside theprostate, where it is much harder totreat.’

The findings appear in the journalCancer Prevention Research.

The scientists tested bloodsamples before and after the dietcommenced, and examined tissuefrom surgically removed prostateglands.

Changes prompted by what themen were eating were clearly evident

Fish oil supplements ‘can slow growth of prostatecancer cells in just four weeks’

in the prostate tissue, said ProfAronson.

The diet appeared to alter the fattyacid composition of prostate cellmembranes.

Similar results were previouslyobtained from laboratory cell culturesand animals.

‘You truly are what you eat,’ saidProf Aronson.

‘Based on our animal studies, wewere hopeful that we would see thesame effects in humans. We areextremely pleased about our findings,which suggest that by altering the diet,we may favourably affect the biologyof prostate cancer.’

Study participants on the Westerndiet obtained 40 per cent of theircalories from fat. Food sources weretypical of diets in well-off countriesand included high levels of omega-6fatty acids from corn oil. Levels of fishoil, which provide omega-3 fatty acids,were low.

The low-fat diet relied on fat toprovide just 15% of calories. Men onthe diet also took five grams of fishoil per day in five capsules.

‘Preclinical studies suggest thatlowering dietary omega-6 fatty acidsfrom corn oil and increasing omega-3fatty acids from fish oil decreases therisk of prostate cancer developmentand progression,’ the scientists wrote.

‘We found this diet interventionresulted in a decrease in omega-6versus omega-3 fatty acid ratios inbenign and malignant prostate tissueand a decrease in malignant cellproliferation.’

Prof Aronson said the shortduration and small size of the studymeant he could not recommend dietarychanges.

He is now planning a larger studyof 100 men with prostate cancers whowere not being actively treated butreceiving regular biopsies and check-ups.

The study will take a year toevaluate the effects of a low fat diet,Western diet, or fish oil supplementson prostate cancer growth.

Each year around 36,000 men inthe UK are diagnosed with prostatecancer and 10,000 die from the disease.

-dailymail.co.uk


A furnace-like equipment fordrying fishes and operated from solarenergy has been inaugurated at theLamphelpat complex of Indian councilfor Agricultural Research (ICAR),NEH Region today.

Inauguration of the solar fishdryer was held with Deputy DirectorGeneral (Fisheries) of ICAR, NewDelhi Dr B Meenakumari as the chiefguest.

In her address, Dr Meenakumariinformed that the equipment has in-built capacity to dry 250 kgs fish andrequires atleast two days to completethe drying process.

Explaining that the equipment,costing Rs 20 lakhs, could also be usedto dry 10-20 kg fish, she said with theequipment requiring only solar energyto operate consumption of the driedfish do not pose any risk to health.

Noting widespread use offirewood and other conventional

Solar fish dryer inaugurated

May be the lone shark travellingfrom its native waters off South Africaor the Arabian waters of Yemen mighthave lost its way or its family on itsjourney towards the western coast inIndia, but it sure has made the Indianresearchers at School of IndustrialFisheries of Cochin University ofScience and Technology here happy.

Being one of the rarest-ofthe- rareshark species to be found even on theinternational waters, the discovery ofthis species on the Indian waters hasimpressed researchers here. “Thediscovery is a surprise because it is onvery rare occasions that marine speciesmigrate to unfriendly and hostileterritories. We are amazed at the shark’s

NEWS SPECTRUM

sources of energy to dry fish inManipur, where consumption of driedfish is considered to be high, the ICARofficial said not only will the lengthyprocess to manually prepare dry fishbe addressed but fishes dried in thenew environment-friendly equipmentcould be seasoned for longer periodof time.

It is informed that individual fishfarmers of the state could utilize thenewly installed machine to process dryfish.

The machine reportedly requiresonly about 80 degree centigrade solarheat to dry 250 kg fish.

CIFT (Cochin) Director Dr TKSrinivas Gopal, ICAR Manipur CentreDirector Dr N Prakash, Joint Head ofEngineer Division of CIFT (Cochin)PN Joshi and State’s FisheryDepartment Director K Sarat were alsopresent at the inaugural programme.

-The Sangai Express

Rare fish nettedA rare flying fish was caught

by a fisherman at Keni in Ankolataluk on Tuesday. Mohan BelyaTandel netted the fish using histraditional boat. But Mohan caught1.5-foot long flying fish near thebeach. This fish had the capacity tofly 50 metres high and has wings.The fish has been handed over toChandrakant Balegar who collectsrare fishes.

A collector holding the flying fish.

-The Hindu

Researchers thrilled at sighting of rarest sharkcapacity to survive in waters withdifferent climatic conditions,” said MHarikrishnan, principal investigator ofproject.

The tiger shark was fished out ofthe Arabian sea by bottom trawlers andwas later found by a team of youngresearchers at Kollam ShakthikulangaraFisheries Harbour where it was dumpedin December 2010.

Known as Halaelurus Natlensis(Regan 1904), the shark species wasnamed after British ichthyologistCharles Tate Regan who hypotheticallystated the existence of the species inthe natal coast of South Africa in 1904.Says Deepak Jose, a member of the

three-member team, who spotted theshark at the harbour. “We weresupposed to be at the far off seas doingour research in Sagar Sambha, butcouldn’t because of some technicalreasons. So, we decided to stick to theshores.

But, this irrelevantly led to thediscovery of the new species.” Theothers in the team are Jenson VictorRozario and Diana Benjamin. It tookthem almost eight months of tirelessquest to confirm whether this was thesame rare shark species mentioned intext books.

The path-breaking fact is that it isalso for the first time that a molecular


NEWS SPECTRUMstudy to understand the DNAsequence of the shark has beenconducted, despite its occurrences inthe Yemen and African waters. The18.8-cm female shark, belonging to theScyliorhinidae family, is unique withfeatures such as broad, flattened headand an upturned snout tip. It can alsoadditionally be identified by its broaddark brown dorsal saddles enclosinglighter areas, without spots.

The team is conducting a researchinto its origin and how it happened toswim into the Indian water. They arealso looking into migratory habit ofthe species.

This find has led to theconfirmation of the existence of thespecies in Indian water while earlierstudies in India had reportedotherwise. The shark was collected as

MPEDA to set up seafood parks in2 southern States

part of the Ministry of EarthSciences- funded project titledAssessment of fishery resources alongthe Indian continental slope andCentral Indian Ocean. The researchproject is being guided by KeralaUniversity of Fisheries and OceanStudies Vice-ChancellorMadhusoodana Kurup.

-The New Indian Express.

The Marine Products ExportDevelopment Authority (MPEDA)will set up seafood parks in the SpecialEconomic Zones (SEZs) in Nellore inAndhra Pradesh (AP) and Tuticorin inTamil Nadu. The parks wouldconcentrate on producing andexporting value-added products,primarily in the ready-to-cook andready-to-eat categories.

About 400 acres of land isavailable at the Nellore SEZ and 100acres at Tuticorin. The former, part ofthe ‘Kisan SEZ,’ would see aninvestment of approximately Rs.500crore. It would be operational in twoyears. About 10 units had alreadyexpressed willingness to launchoperations from the Tuticorin SEZwhich would start functioning first,according to official sources. ThoughKerala had plenty of marine resourcesfor setting up seafood parks, availabilityof land had been a problem. Aroor inAlappuzha district had a seafood pre-processing and associated facilitiescentre.

The proposed SEZ units wouldhave common facility centres ofEuropean Union (EU) standards. Astudy would be conducted in twomonths on the modalities of settingup the parks in the public-privateparticipatory model. MPEDA will

provide initial monetary assistance toset up the parks, apart from providinginfrastructure and marketing support.

Introducing latest technologiesand tapping the marine resourceswould be the key elements ofMPEDA’s plan. The agency targetedexports worth $5 billion by 2014-15,out of which 75 per cent would bevalue-added products. Foreigncollaboration, investments, and tie-upsin marketing would be encouraged.Many countries in Asia and LatinAmerica had taken up shrimp farmingand competition was stiff.

Despite recessionary trends invarious countries, India managed tomake gains in the export of marineproducts. During 2010-11, the exportearnings crossed $2.8 billion. Theexports aggregated 8.13 lakh tonnes,valued at Rs.12,901.47 crore, a growthof 19.85 per cent in quantity, 28.39 percent in Rupee and 33.95 per cent inDollar earnings respectively.

Frozen shrimp continued to bethe major export value item accountingfor 44.17 per cent of the total dollarearnings. EU continued to be thelargest market with a share of 26.78per cent in Dollar realisation, followedby South East Asia (16.43 per cent).

-The Hindu

Owing to a surge in globaldemand for organic food, the MarineProducts Export DevelopmentAuthority (MPEDA) seeks to activelypromote organic aquaculture insuitable areas.

Ms Leena Nair, Chairman,MPEDA, said fish products areconsidered health food and the organicfishery market is valued at $800-900million. Organic aquaculture enjoysglobal demand, which is increasing by10-15 per cent a year.

MPEDA will introduce a schemeto promote organic aquaculture thatmeets international standards, she said.This practice is very similar totraditional aquaculture practices in thecountry. Each farmer group canformulate an Internal Control System(ICS) to implement the programmesuccessfully.

Inputs such as seed and feed haveto come from a certified organichatchery or feed mill. Use of chemicalsis prohibited at any stage of the cultureperiod. Organically processed fishes/shellfishes command a premium overconventional products.

Ms Nair said MPEDA hasintroduced an attractive assistance

MPEDA topromote organicaquaculture


The Union government isconsidering granting agriculture statusto the seafood industry, includingaquaculture. This old demand of theseafood industry is expected to befulfilled soon, according to sources.The proposal is now underconsideration of the ministry ofagriculture.

The seafood sector has anindustry status and is under the controlof the ministry of commerce.

Since fish farming is a fastgrowing business and similar toagriculture activities, the SeafoodExporters Association of India (SEAI)

Seafood industry likely to get agriculture statushas been pressing this demand forquiet some time.

“The agri status will benefit theindustry in a multifaceted ways,” saidRavi Reddy, president, SEAI. The fishproduction sector, especiallyaquaculture farms, are not gettingsufficient loans from financialinstitutions. Once the status is granted,loans at lower interest rates will be easyand will benefit thousands ofaquaculture farmers.

Because of inadequate financeand high risk in the production,insurance is also not provided to thissector. A majority of the aquaculture

farms in the country are not yetinsured, he added.

Also, power will be provided atlower rates, as in the case of farming.For the sea fishing sector, diesel mightbe available at subsidized rates formechanized boats.

The country produced 145,600tonnes of products throughaquaculture valued at Rs 3,585 crorein 2010-11.

Production increased 39.7 percent as against 41,381 tonnes valuedat Rs 1,054 crore in 2009-10.

-Business Standard

Some freshwater molluscs under threatUnsustainable harvesting and

pollution of waterbodies may forcesome freshwater molluscs in theWestern Ghats region into extinctionor throw up increased risks for theirsurvival in the near future, expertswarn.

In a maiden assessment of the 77freshwater molluscs of the regionusing the IUCN Red List categoriesand criteria, four species —Cremnochonchus syhadrensis,Cremnochonchus carinatus, Arcidopsis footie,and Pseudomulleria dalyi — werecategorised as endangered.

Cremnochonchus conicus, Parreysiakhadakvaslaensis, and Scaphula nagarjunai

— were assessed as vulnerable. Fifty-one species were listed in the least-concern category.

The scientists put 19 species onthe data-deficient list as sufficient

scientific data on them wereunavailable.

The threats faced by the speciesinclude indiscriminate harvesting,water abstraction for agriculturalpurposes, sand-mining, andconstruction of dams.

Assessments revealed that noinformation was available on a fewspecies, including six from Kerala, afterthey were first reported.

The endemic Kerala speciesamong them are Corbicula annadalei ,Iravadia funereal , Paludomus annandelei ,Paludomus rotunda , Paludomus stomatodon, and Paludomus sulcatus , says N.A.Aravind Madhyastha, Fellow of the

NEWS SPECTRUMpackage that provides farmers 50 percent of the cost of procuring organicseed and feed, as well as certification.Supplies can come only fromapproved hatcheries and feed mills.The subsidy ceiling has been raisedto Rs 50,000 a hectare of water-spreadarea.

Each beneficiary is entitled tosubsidy for a maximum of 6hectares, subject to the financialceiling of Rs 3 lakh. In the case ofa g roup/ c luster/ society/padasekaram, the upper limit is Rs 15lakh for 30 hectares or more.Subsidy is avai lable for the

convers ion crop as wel l assucceeding three organic crops.

MPEDA also arranges technicaltraining related to the organiccertification process, both for farmersand other stakeholders.

-The Hindu BS


NEWS SPECTRUMAcademy for Conservation Scienceand Sustainability Studies, AshokaTrust for Research in Ecology and theEnvironment, Bangalore.

Paludomus rotunda was firstreported in 1870 from Travancore andsubsequently from three sites in TamilNadu.

However, no subsequentreporting was made from Kerala.Paludomus sulcatus was reported fromTravancore in 1880 and Corbiculaannadalei from specifically Thenmala in1909, Mr. Madhyastha says.

There is the probability that theyare either extinct or wrongly classifiedas some other species.

Extensive field work is requiredto assess their precise status, Mr.Madhyastha, who participated in theassessment process, says. Some of the

species are highly endemic and haverestricted distribution in the streams ofthe Western Ghats. Cremnochonchussyhadrensis, Cremnochonchus conicus, andCremnochonchus carinatus are the onlyfreshwater relatives in an otherwiseentirely marine family.

These species are adapted to thespray zone of perennial waterfalls in afew localities in the Karnataka andMaharashtra region of the WesternGhats, he says in a communication.

Another restricted range speciesis Pseudomulleria dalyi , an endemicfreshwater pearl confined to the Tungaand the Bhadra rivers in the centralwestern region of Karnataka.

The estimated survivingpopulation of this species is fewer than5,000. The population of Pseudomulleriadalyi has been “exterminated” after the

recent increase in the height of theTunga dam, near Shimoga, inKarnataka, he says.Vembanad harvest

Black clam harvested from theVembanad lake in Kerala may becomethreatened in the near futureconsidering its unsustainableexploitation. Kerala is the leadingproducer of this most important clamspecies landed in India.

Around 60,000 tonne of blackclam is harvested from the lake annually,says K. Sunilkumar Mohammad, Headof the Molluscan Fisheries Division ofthe Central Marine Fisheries ResearchInstitute, Kochi.

An estimated 6,500 fishermen areengaged in clam fishery, each collectingaround 200 kg a day, he says.

-The Hindu

Open-ocean aquaculture company receives patentfor fish pen

A Hawaii open-ocean aquaculturecompany received a patent for its fishpen this week.

Hawaii Oceanic Technology Inc.received the patent for theOceansphere Automated Positioningand Submersible Open OceanPlatform for Fish Farming on Tuesday,CEO Bill Spencer said Thursday.

He called the patent approval amajor milestone.

“We continue to be very excitedabout this project,” Spencer said. “Thepatent affirms we’re doing it in a newway.”

One of Spencer’s long-term goalsis to use the Oceansphere as a meansto farm fish in a more environmentallysustainable way, he said.

The patent, U.S. Patent Number8,028,660, was filed in November 2007.

The company, formed in 2006,

did amend its application to the U.SArmy Corps of Engineers to permitone prototype Oceansphere in 2012,instead of deploying all 12 at once. InNovember, Spencer said he hoped tohave the company’s first fish harvestin 2013, with two more spheresdeployed in 2014.

The state accepted HawaiiOceanic Technology’s finalenvironmental impact statement in July2009. The company got a stateConservation District Use permit inNovember 2009.

“The goal of the company is todemonstrate new fish farmingtechnology that allows pelagic speciessuch as tuna to be grown in deep oceanwaters where constant currents andlarge volumes of clean water assurefish health and rapid mineralization ofeffluents,” Spencer said.

[email protected]

has permits and approval for a 247-acre lease site 2.6 miles off MalaePoint, on the North Kohala coast. Thecompany will be permitted to operate12 Oceanspheres in the site, with thegoal of producing 6,000 tons of tunaannually.

Patent applications have also beenfiled in Europe, Canada, Japan,Australia and the Philippines. Gettingthe patent approved in the U.S. makesit likelier to get the foreign patentsapproved, Spencer said.

“It’s a very important step,” hesaid. “Our long-term goal is to licensethe technology around the world.”

A prototype Oceansphere shouldbe deployed by the end of next year,Spencer said. A full-size sphere wouldfollow.

In September 2010, Spencer saidthe company wasn’t scaling back, but


NEWS SPECTRUM

INDIA - Concerned overdepleting marine catches mainly due toweak presence in the exclusiveeconomic zone (EEZ) and high seas,India is working on the harmonizeddevelopment of the coastal and deepsea sectors to enhance marine capturefisheries to three million tonnes in the2011-12 fiscal year.

TheEconomicTimes reports thatthe present annual production ofmarine fisheries is 2.96 million tonnes,according to official sources.

Marine fishing policy aims toincrease marine fish production of thecountry up to the sustainable level in aresponsible manner so as to boostseafood exports from the country, a

India Aims To Increase Marine Fish Catch In 2011-12senior officer of Department ofFishery under Union Agricultureministry said.

The planned strategy for boostingmarine fishery includes regulatedfishing and capacity management in themechanized sector and diversifiedfishing in deep sea and oceanicresources, the officer added.

A sum of Rs 350 crore has beenearmarked in the 11th Plan for marinefisheries infrastructure and post-harvest operations.

Highlighting the marine fisheriesscenario, the official identified weakpresence in the EEZ and high seas andover fishing in coastal waters.

Under the law of the sea, an EEZis a sea zone over which a state has specialrights over the exploration and use ofmarine resources, including productionof energy from water and wind.

It stretches from the seaward edgeof the state’s territorial sea out to 200nautical miles from its coast. In casualusage, the term may include theterritorial sea and even the continentalshelf beyond the 200-mile limit.

There is a need for rationalizationof restricted zones along coast forfisheries and aquaculture, the officersaid, pointing towards areas needingattention for boosting marine fishcatch.

-TheFishSite News Desk

There has been a sharp rise inIndian shrimp production eventhough disease outbreaks, adverseweather and crop delays have hitglobal output.

Disease outbreaks are reported tohave affected Chinese and Vietnameseshrimp harvests, while floods havewashed away the crop in Thailand.

But Indian farmers have a happierstory. The farmed shrimp productionhas been substantially higher, MrHashim said. To add to that, thevannemei crop, which is beingincreasingly cultivated in India, is of asignificantly bigger size, he said.However, the increased farmedproduction has been offset by lowercatch from the sea.

The lower ca tches haveensured that shrimp prices havecontinued to remain firm in theglobal markets.

Indian Shrimp Harvest A SuccessAs of mid-June, seasonal harvest

throughout Asia remained below thatof last year.

In Thailand, the leading supplierto the international market, the seasonalharvest peak was only expected in July.It has been delayed by flooding and theproduction is expected to decline by 10-15 per cent this year. Thailand’sdomestic prices were expected to shootup by 40 per cent.

In Viet Nam, shrimp farms havebeen affected by the worst outbreakof diseases in the seven provinces ofthe Mekong delta, which is primeaquaculture country. With the resultantraw material shortage, processingplants in the region are operating onlyat 50-60 per cent of capacity.

The situation was the reverse inSouth India, where bumper crops ofvannamei shrimp have been harvestedin June and July. With heavy arrivals,

processing plants have been forced tooperate at 150-200 per cent of theircapacity by using two shifts. Thedemand for the Indian shrimpcontinues to be strong in the USmarkets without any dent in prices. Thelarge vannamei shrimp from India hasbeen commanding higher prices.

But the simultaneous arrivals ofsea-caught and farmed shrimp inAugust resulted in the domestic pricesruling lower, Mr Hashim said. Asarrivals dwindled, the domestic pricesare now holding firm.

Farms have reported highproductivity of 10 tonnes a hectareafter shifting to vannamei, Mr Hashimsaid. The shift to vannamei cultivationhas been reported more from SouthIndia while East India continues tofarm black tiger. There has been adecline in black tiger output.

TheFishSite News Desk


NEWS SPECTRUM

Hand book of FishingTechnology: A book titled “Handbook of Fishing Technology” wastranslated in to Hindi and publishedunder the co-ordination of Dr. B.Meenakumari, DDG (Fy.), ICAR, NewDelhi. The book was edited by Dr.M.M. Prasad, Dr. G. Rajeswari, Dr. U.Sreedhar, Dr. R Raghu Prakash and Dr.Prem Kumar, and translated by Dr.Santhosh Alex with the technical helpof ShriK.V.S.S.S.K. Haranath. Thebook was released on the eve of ICARFoundation Day at New Delhi on 16July 2011.

Fishing Methods of ChilkaLagoon: A special publication“Fishing Methods of Chilka Lagoon”authored by Dr. M.P. Remesan, Dr. P.Pravin, Shri B.K. Pradhan and Dr. B.Meenakumari was published by CIFT,Cochin.Chilka lagoon in the state of

New Publications from CIFT, Cochin

Orissa, east coast of India is the largestbrackishwater lagoon in Asia with richbiodiversity which consist of morethan 300 species of fish and shell fishand several Irrawaddy dolphins andmigratory birds. The book gives acomprehensive picture of varioustypes of traditional fishing craft,fishing gear and practices in Chilkalagoon. There are design drawings of

important fishing gears andphotographs of various activities in theChilka lagoon. The authors suggestimprovements of the existing fishinggears for sustainable fishery andconservation and biodiversity of theresources in the Chilka lagoon. It ishoped that the publication will be ofimmense use to the stakeholders andall interested parties in the region.

Pearl farming loses its sheen in TuticorinIn spite of huge potential for pearl

farming, Tuticorin has lost its sheen.Fortunately, Tuticorin is called as PearlCity because of its rich history of pearlfishery and pearl farming potential.Cultured pearls were produced in Indialong ago but success was achieved onlyin the 70s, when spherical pearls wereproduced in Tuticorin, according to JoeAustin, an expert in pearl farming,Tuticorin.

Due to certain bottlenecks, pearlfarming could not flourish much on theexpected lines. Since most of the suitablecoastal farming sites were under thecontrol of Tuticorin Port, the requiredsites could not be availed to promotepearl farming, a lucrative venture.

The availability of oyster from thewild is limited to certain period of theyear. Problems, which led to poorsettlement of oysters, were destructionof marine wealth caused by trawlers

and accelerated fishing over oysterbeds. Besides, factors like hunting bypredators and current pattern wouldalso affect the settlement.

“India is endowed with the naturalresource of pearl oyster in the Gulfof Mannar, the southeast coast and inthe Gulf of Kutch, in the northwestcoast. Pearls from the Gulf of Mannarare famous throughout the world asorient pearls. Pearl producing oystersof the sea have remained governmentmonopoly from time immemorial. Itis also difficult to obtain permissionfor collecting oysters and an amounthas to be paid as royalty,” Dr. Austinsaid.

To regain the lost glory,government agencies could demarcatecertain areas at sea to the farmers forexecuting their tasks. The move wouldalso avoid confrontation with fisherfolks. Availability of oyster throughout

the year could also be regulated throughthese agencies. Procedures of importingshell nucleus, a base material forproduction of cultured pearls, shouldbe relaxed. If such basic requirementswere made available for farming, manypeople would come forward to takecultured pearl production in Tuticorin,which could put India in the world mapof pearl farming.

“So far, 38 pearl fisheries havebeen recorded between 1663 and 1961.Pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata,contributes to the major pearl fisheryof India. Six species of oysters havebeen recorded in India. They arePinctada fucata, Pinctada margaritifera,Pinctada cheminitzi, Pinctada sugillata,Pinctada anomioids and Pinctadaatropurpure. Among this, Pinctadafucata is the dominant species,” headded.

-The Hindu

NEWS SPECTRUM

‘Quilon Flavours’ – A Seafood Fest Organized by CIFT“Quilon Flavors” a seafood fest

was organised at Azheekal, Kollam on23rd July 2011 as part of theDepartment of Science andTechnology funded project ‘Locationspecific livelihood interventions forfisherwomen in Kerala, conceptualizedkeeping in mind the popularity andappeal of seafood amongst the foodenthusiasts. The event was inauguratedby Dr. Femeena Hassan, SeniorScientist and Principal Investigator ofthe Project. She said that the fishingindustry and seafood recipes areintegral to the economy, life and cultureof the fisherwomen. Smt. Lasitha,Project Officer, Matsyafed presidedover the event. The main objective ofthe festival was to bring thefisherwomen to mainstream to discuss

Dr. Femeena Hassan and Smt. Lasithaevaluating the preparations

the recent developments in productiontechnologies, value addition andmarketing of fish and fishery products.The Fest also aimed at creatingawareness among the consumers onfish as a healthy food. Recipecompetitions on various types ofseafood preparations have beenarranged for women to bring out thetalent in preparing varieties of readyto eat fish products. The women SelfHelp Groups (SHGs) made theevaluators spell bound by featuring alavish range of local delicacies. Someof the mouthwatering catch includedsardine chutney, tuna cutlets, crabmasala, and many more delicious andrichly spiced traditional dishes. Theseafood delicacies are sure to satisfy thefood enthusiasts. The evaluators found

it very difficult to finalise the judgmentsince each edible discovery competedfor evoking the taste. For the bestpreparations prizes were awarded byShri Babu, Secretary, MatsyafedCooperative society.

Trust the Indian seas.

Where no season is slack,

No Quantity short and

No quality second.

Trust the Indian seas.

Where no season is slack,

No Quantity short and

No quality second.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority

(Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India)

MPEDA House, Panampilly Avenue, PB No. 4272, Kochi-682 036,Kerala, India

Ph:++ 91-484-2311979, 2312812. fax: ++ 91-484-2312812, 2313361, 23144467.

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mpeda.com

INDIA INTERNATIONAL SEAFOOD SHOW - 2012

CHENNAI, INDIA

th nd

29 Feb - 2 March 2012

www.indianseafoodexpo.com

new letter oct 2011 - mpeda.gov.inmpeda.gov.in/mpeda/pdf/newsletter/oct11.pdf · conferences,...

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