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As a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal gains strength, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated the potential for it to intensify into a cyclone named ‘Hamoon’ by Monday evening, as designated by Iran. The system, currently positioned in the west-central Bay of Bengal, is approximately 400 km from Odisha’s Paradip and 550 km south-southwest of Digha in West Bengal.

In response to the impending weather event, the Odisha government has issued directives to all district collectors, urging preparedness for any eventualities. The administration has been instructed to initiate evacuations from low-lying areas in anticipation of heavy rainfall.

Weather scientist US Dash explained that the cyclonic system is expected to move about 200 km from the Odisha coast. Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall is forecasted in coastal Odisha on Monday, with similar conditions expected to persist over the next two days.

Specifically, the weather department has identified the likelihood of light to moderate rainfall in several northern and southern coastal districts, including Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Dhenkanal. As a precautionary measure, the fisheries and animal resources development department has advised fishermen to refrain from venturing into deep seas.

The fishing industry, a vital component of the coastal regions, is on high alert due to the cyclonic threat. Fishermen are being urged to exercise caution and adhere to the advisory to avoid deep-sea fishing activities. The industry is closely monitoring the situation, recognizing the potential impact on both the safety of fishermen at sea and the overall fisheries sector.

The Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan (MSJA) is set to kick off its first workshop on October 23, 2023, at the National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) in Kochi, Kerala. Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries and Administration), Sagar Mehra, is poised to inaugurate the event, which promises to be a pivotal platform for sharing insights, best practices, and cutting-edge advancements in fisheries and aquaculture.

The comprehensive workshop will feature a diverse range of presentations and discussions led by eminent experts in the field. Among the highlights, Joint Director (Central Zone) of the Department of Fisheries, S. Mahesh, will present a case study on the successful implementation of fisheries development schemes through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Kerala. M. Shaji, a retired Joint Director (Aquaculture) from MPEDA, will delve into Aquaculture Technologies under the PMMSY scheme, focusing on effective implementation methods.

Dr. Zynudheen A.A from the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) will shed light on CIFT’s initiatives in start-ups and entrepreneurship related to PMMSY. Kamalraj, a Processing Technologist at NIFPHATT, will discuss the institute’s contributions to value addition and capacity building aligned with PMMSY. Maja Jose, Deputy Director (Training) at the Department of Fisheries, Kerala, will lead an interactive session featuring stakeholders sharing success stories related to the program.

The MSJA workshop aims to engage a diverse group of participants, including fishers, fishermen representatives, fish-farmers, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperative society leaders, professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders. The event will foster collaboration to drive growth and development in the vital fisheries and aquaculture sector in India.

In the backdrop of the workshop, it’s essential to recognize the significance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in India, playing a pivotal role in food production, nutrition security, employment generation, income generation, and foreign exchange earnings. The Department of Fisheries has launched the “Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan,” a strategic initiative scheduled to run from September 2023 to February 2024, with the primary objectives of disseminating information about the department’s achievements and success stories and reaching out to 2.8 crore fish farmers across 3477 coastal villages.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) has officially extended the tenure of Dodda Venkata Swamy, a 2001 batch IAS officer of the Orissa cadre. Currently serving as the Chairman (JS level) of the Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) in Kochi, Mr. Swamy’s extension was sanctioned by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, as per an official order issued on 18 October, 2023.

The extension grants Dodda Venkata Swamy an additional two years in his role, commencing from 18 March, 2024, and concluding on 17 March, 2026. The decision to prolong his tenure was proposed by the Department of Commerce, highlighting the significance of his continued service in overseeing the affairs of the Marine Products Exports Development Authority.

Researchers are exploring the rich collagen content in tilapia skin for innovative applications in veterinary medicine. The abundance of collagen in tilapia skin has made it a sought-after resource in various medical fields, from bandaging burn victims to reconstructing tissues. In northeastern Brazil’s Ceará state, veterinary ophthalmologist Mirza Melo has successfully tested tilapia skin for treating corneal ulcers and perforations, particularly in dogs with short snouts prone to eye injuries.

Traditionally, corneal injuries in animals are treated by surgically placing a membrane made from horse placenta over the affected area to aid regeneration. Melo introduced tilapia skin as an alternative in 2019, creating an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) made of pure collagen extracted from the fish skin. Collaborating with Brazil’s Burn Support Institute and the Federal University of Ceará, pioneers of the Tilapia Skin Project for burn treatment, Melo began testing the ADM.

Collagen, known for its ability to stimulate cellular growth and guide tissue generation, is abundant and consistent in quality throughout a tilapia’s life. In contrast, collagen from horse placenta varies based on factors such as the animal’s age and weight. The processed ADM, resembling a thick sheet of paper, is rehydrated with saline solution before surgery and acts as scaffolding for regenerating cells when placed over a dog’s corneal lesion and sutured into place.

Melo has treated over 400 dogs with this innovative technique, noting that they experienced no pain or infection issues post-surgery. The dogs healed quickly with minimal scarring, addressing concerns associated with traditional corneal repair methods. Veterinary ophthalmologist Robson Santos, not involved in the ADM project, praises tilapia skin as an excellent alternative to established techniques, citing its promising results in corneal repair.

Oceans, known for their rich soundscapes created by natural phenomena, are increasingly impacted by human-generated noise, posing serious threats to marine life. The ability of animals to produce and detect sound is vital for communication, feeding, predator avoidance, and navigation in underwater habitats. Human activities such as shipping, infrastructure development, and industrial operations contribute unintentional noise, while deliberate actions like naval sonar and seismic airguns add to the acoustic disturbance.

he consequences of this noise pollution are far-reaching, with evidence suggesting permanent hearing loss, tissue damage, and even death in marine animals exposed to the intense sounds produced by seismic airguns. Seismic surveys have been linked to mass mortalities of squid and zooplankton, highlighting the lethal impact of human-generated noise in the open ocean.

Chronic noise exposure has also been found to affect animal behaviour and physiology. Laboratory studies on sea hares, a marine slug, revealed a 21% reduction in successful embryo development and a 22% higher death rate when exposed to boat noise. The negative effects observed in controlled environments raise concerns about potential threats to entire populations in natural settings.

Marine mammals, relying on sound for communication, foraging, and navigation, are particularly vulnerable to noise pollution. Shipping noise, overlapping with the vocal frequencies of large mammals like blue whales, has led to altered vocalization patterns and increased physiological stress. Changes in vocal behaviour, feeding patterns, and increased stress have been observed in response to shipping noise.

Efforts to mitigate noise pollution include technological developments in ship design, such as reduced propeller cavitation, and adjustments in ship speed. Studies suggest that even a modest reduction in the average speed of commercial ships can significantly lower underwater noise pollution. While technological solutions exist, there is a need for global awareness and more rigorous policies to manage and reduce noise pollution in oceans, ensuring a quieter and healthier future for marine life.

Source: Graeme Shannon, Bangor University

Fisheries officials has identified a staggering 263 unique species of marine life within the waters of the Melaka Marine Park in Malaysia. The marine park, encompassing Pulau Undan, Pulau Nangka, and Pulau Dodol, boasts an array of coral reefs, including the distinctive Acropora variety typically found in the East Coast waters. Deputy Director Nawar Abd Karim highlighted the significance of this discovery, emphasizing that the waters remain clear, unpolluted, and largely unexplored.

Speaking at a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program and the promotion of the Melaka Marine Park, Nawar expressed that the marine ecosystem around these islands rivals the treasures found in other parts of Malaysia. The coral reefs, characterized by their larger size, vibrant colors, and pristine condition, add to the allure of the marine park.

Since the Melaka Marine Park was designated as the first national marine park in the state in April, approximately 1,200 visitors have explored its wonders. However, to ensure the preservation of marine resources, the Melaka Islands Development Council (MPPM) is carefully managing the number of visitors, allowing a maximum of 200 people per month.

Nawar emphasized the need for visitors to use registered boat operators to control the number of visitors and water activities, ensuring the protection of marine life. Activities such as swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and island tours are permitted between 8 am and 6 pm.

Azhar Yaacob, CEO of MPPM, highlighted additional attractions in the Melaka Marine Park, including a functioning lighthouse at the summit of Pulau Undan, built in 1880. He encouraged visitors to explore this historical monument, which is supervised by the Malaysian Marine Department.

Looking ahead to Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM2024), Azhar expressed MPPM’s commitment to promoting the Melaka Marine Park, inviting more people to experience the beauty and uniqueness of these islands.

Source: The Star

Cairn Oil & Gas, a leading player in India’s oil and gas exploration sector and a part of the Vedanta Group, continues its commitment to community transformation. In a recent initiative aimed at improving the lives of fishermen, the company distributed fishing nets to village elders and the fishing community in S.Yanam village, Andhra Pradesh, near its Ravva oil field operations.

As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, the Ravva Joint Venture (JV), where Cairn Oil & Gas operates, allocates INR 5 crore annually to the District Administration. This funding is utilized by the District Fisheries Department to provide fishing nets, promoting livelihood development within the community.

Representatives from Cairn Oil & Gas, including Mr. SM Pasha and Soumen Dev, along with District Administration officials, distributed fishing nets to 450 fishermen at the Ravva JV port. The event witnessed the presence of Hon’ble Minister Sri Pinipe Viswaroop, who commended Cairn Oil & Gas and Vedanta for their community-focused initiative. The minister encouraged the fishing community to make optimal use of the distributed nets, emphasizing the positive impact on their livelihoods and the local region’s prosperity. He also urged Cairn and Vedanta to continue their support for local communities through future CSR activities.

This initiative aligns with Cairn’s commitment to ‘Transforming Communities,’ a core element of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision. The company aims to empower local communities by providing essential skills, resources, and livelihood opportunities, contributing to overall national growth and prosperity.

The Regional Research Centre, ICAR-CIFA, Vijayawada, organized awareness programs in Khanapuram, Khammam District, Telangana, and Chinaparimi, Bapatla District, Andhra Pradesh in a concerted effort to promote scientific fish farming in freshwater aquaculture.  These programs, conducted under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), aimed to educate and empower participants to adopt modern aquaculture practices.

The events witnessed the participation of 101 individuals in both states, where Dr. Ramesh Rathod, Senior Scientist, extended a warm welcome to all guests and participants. The Chief Guest, Dr. P.V. Rangacharyulu, a retired Principal Scientist of CIFA, addressed the gathering and shared insights on the occasion. Dr. B.S. Giri, SIC, RRC, emphasized the significance of the SCSP program in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, underscoring its potential benefits for fishermen and farmers.

Dr. Ramesh Rathod provided insights into the socioeconomic advantages and livelihood opportunities associated with the adoption of scientific aquaculture practices. He also discussed recent advances in carp culture. Dr. Ajit Chaudhari, Scientist, highlighted the benefits of integrated fish farming, emphasizing its potential to enhance fish production in a sustainable manner.

The program received commendation from local leaders, including P. Murali, President of Surya Chandra Fish Production Organization in Telangana, and P. Jaipal, Secretary of the Fishermen Society in Chinaparimi. They praised CIFA’s efforts to raise awareness among fishermen and encourage farmers to venture into entrepreneurship in freshwater aquaculture.

As part of the initiative, essential inputs such as seeds, feed, crates, and fishing nets were distributed to beneficiaries, further supporting and incentivizing the adoption of scientific fish farming practices. This holistic approach aims to not only disseminate knowledge but also provide tangible resources to kickstart and sustain aquaculture enterprises in the region.