SHILLONG: To control the spread of malaria the State Government proposes to introduce larvivorous fishes popularly known as ‘mosquito fishes’ in a big way. Meghalaya continues to have high incidence of malaria especially in Garo Hills and parts of Khasi Jaintia Hills.

“We will conduct a detailed study on the efficacy of larvivorous fishes to control the spread of malaria since these fish feed on mosquito larvae. If this option proves effective in controlling the spread of malaria then it would provide the Government with an alternative to control the disease,

Not only is the mackerel size getting smaller but trawlers are catching mackerel with eggs which means there is no chance for them to reproduce. Rejuvenation of fish is not happening as trawlers fish even during the breeding season.”

In the southern states, large quantities of juveniles fishes are being caught and discarded since they have no commercial value. The economic loss of the juvenile fish by a single trawler in Kerala coast has been estimated at `28 lakhs.

Shillong: The death of thousands of fish at Wah Lukha in Jaintia Hills and Ranikor river is directly linked mushrooming of cement plants and unscientific mining activities being carried out in the two districts of the state, says the KSU.

“The rise in number of cement plants in Jaintia Hills has posed a great threat not only to the forests and environment but also the aquatic lives to the extend that all the rivers are poisoned making survival of aquatic lives almost impossible”, KSU Environment and Cultural Secretary J Marbaniang said.

Several thousand fishes died in a sprawling lake in Poosivakkam village near Wallajahbad in Kancheepuram district. While residents noticed a few dead fishes floating on the surface of the water earlier this week, many more were found along the banks since Thursday evening.

According to sources in Wallajahbad Panchayat Union, the death was due to contamination of the lake by effluents from several dyeing units in villages around the lake.

Public sector Hathazari Peking Power Plant (HPPP) was fined of Tk.10 lakh for alleged pollution of the water of Halda River recently through dumping effluents of the plant.

Plans are afoot to increase the production of inland fish in the State to three lakh tonnes a year.

Presently, of the total 5.97 lakh tonnes of fish production in Tamil Nadu, inland fish production is only 1.72 lakh tonnes and marine fisheries is 4.25 lakh tonnes. To make available more fish seeds and advanced fingerlings from 7 cm to 10 cm stage, the capacity of fish hatcheries and fish-rearing centres across the State is being enhanced and additional infrastructure created. Catla, Rohu, Mrigal varieties of Indian major carp (kendai meen) and common carp are bred and reared at these centres.

Clocking a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 11.48 per cent in 2004-05 and 2010-11, Karnataka has emerged as the leading coastal State with the highest growth in fish production, accord

If Americans ever eat genetically engineered fast-growing salmon, it might be because of a Soviet biologist turned oligarch turned government minister turned fish farming entrepreneur.

Shillong: With an aim to enhance fish seed production and impart knowledge to the farmers of the state on modern technology of aquaculture especially breeding technique, the Fisheries department has come up with a full- fledged research centre at Ri Bhoi which will be inaugurated on Thursday.

The first of its kind in the State, the Mawpun farm-cum-research centre at Ri Bhoi is expected to enhance the fish seed production with a target of about 25 lakh fries. It will be a demonstration centre to all fish farmers for breeding, feeding and the like.