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In a bid to combat mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, the government of Andhra Pradesh has recently released approximately 10 million Gambusia fish into the state’s water bodies. These fish, commonly known as mosquitofish, have long been employed as a biological solution to control mosquito larvae proliferation.

However, the release of these invasive alien species has triggered concerns about the potential harm they might inflict on the indigenous aquatic ecosystems of the state.

According to data from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (MoHFW), Andhra Pradesh reported around 6,391 dengue cases and 2,022 malaria cases in 2022. Disturbingly, local news reports indicate a significant rise in cases over the past six months, with 2,339 dengue cases and 1,630 malaria cases registered in the state.

Gambusia affinis (G. affinis), originally hailing from the southeastern United States, is a voracious predator capable of consuming about 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day, as per MoHFW.

The use of Gambusia in mosquito-control strategies has been practiced worldwide for over a century, including in India. Its sister species, Gambusia holbrooki (G. holbrooki), also known as the eastern mosquito fish, has been an integral part of malaria control initiatives in India since 1928, including the Urban Malaria Scheme.

While mosquitofish are generally considered a valuable biological control method for curbing mosquito breeding, experts emphasize that they should be just one component of a comprehensive approach. This approach must include other methods like chemical spraying and, most importantly, source reduction, according to Desham PR, a public health practitioner in Telangana.

“Reducing the number of mosquito breeding sources like puddles and open drainages, and clearing vegetation that mosquitoes feed on must be prioritized over releasing fish into water bodies,” she stressed.

Notably, the effectiveness of Gambusia as a viable mosquito control method remains inconclusive. While some studies have shown a reduction in malaria cases where the fish were introduced, others have reported an increased mosquito larvae population because Gambusia preyed on other predators that consumed mosquito larvae. Additionally, the predatory efficacy of Gambusia declined when introduced in running water streams, water bodies with high insecticide levels, and water bodies with dense vegetation.

One of the most concerning aspects of Gambusia is its high breeding capacity. A single female can produce between 900 and 1,200 offspring during its lifetime, as per MoHFW. With up to six generations per season, this adaptability has allowed Gambusia to thrive on six of the seven continents, leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to categorize it as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species globally.

Several countries, including India, have listed Gambusia as an invasive species. Nevertheless, the fish continues to play a prominent role in the country’s malaria control programs, with releases into freshwater bodies occurring in various regions such as Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Known for its competitive and predatory behavior, Gambusia can outcompete and prey upon native species, leading to concerns over its potential impact on local ecosystems. Observations include the consumption of competing fishes’ eggs and frog tadpoles, as well as aggressive behaviors such as chasing other fishes and fin-nipping.

In the aftermath of a triumphant lunar mission, Indian scientists are gearing up for yet another audacious venture, Project Samudrayaan. In a groundbreaking mission poised to explore the deep ocean, three intrepid individuals are set to plunge a staggering 6,000 meters beneath the ocean’s surface aboard a homegrown submersible known as “Matsya 6000.” This ambitious undertaking aims to unearth precious metals and minerals, with a focus on cobalt, nickel, and manganese.

The project has been dubbed “Matsya 6000” and has been under development for nearly two years. It is now ready for its maiden sea trials, scheduled to take place early in 2024 off the coast of Chennai in the Bay of Bengal. This mission carries added significance following the unfortunate loss of the Titan submersible during a voyage to explore the Titanic wreckage in the North Atlantic Ocean in June 2023.

Scientists from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) have meticulously scrutinized every aspect of Matsya 6000, including its design, materials, testing, certification, redundancy measures, and standard operating procedures.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking on the importance of the Deep Ocean Mission, stated, “The Deep Ocean Mission supports the ‘Blue Economy’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and envisages sustainable utilization of ocean resources for economic growth of the country, improve livelihoods and jobs, and preserve ocean ecosystem health.”

M Ravichandran, the secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, revealed, “Samudrayaan mission is underway as part of the Deep Ocean Mission. We will be conducting sea trials at 500 meters depth in the first quarter of 2024.” The mission’s completion is anticipated by 2026, positioning India among the exclusive club of nations with manned submersible capabilities, including the US, Russia, Japan, France, and China.

Beyond its quest for valuable minerals, Matsya 6000 is poised to explore the enigmatic realm of chemosynthetic biodiversity within hydrothermal vents and the frigid depths where methane seeps emerge.

Key features of Matsya 6000 include a 2.1-meter diameter sphere capable of accommodating three occupants. Constructed from an 80mm-thick titanium alloy, this sphere is engineered to withstand the staggering pressure of 600 bar, equivalent to 600 times the pressure at sea level, all at a depth of 6,000 meters. The submersible is designed to operate continuously for 12 to 16 hours, with a substantial 96-hour oxygen supply to ensure crew safety.

Director Ramadass of NIOT emphasized the meticulous precautions taken, stating, “Except for the sphere, we have redundancy for everything. Sometimes double, sometimes triple redundancy. An official sea trial will be certified, and we have gone with DNV-GL for certification. We will also follow standard operating procedures, such as deploying the submersible from a ship, which will remain on the surface right above the submersible for easy communication with the underwater vehicle.”

In an audacious endeavour poised to revolutionize both maritime security and the livelihoods of coastal fishermen, the Indian government is on the cusp of bestowing 350,000 state-of-the-art two-way communication transponders to seafaring communities. This visionary undertaking, meticulously orchestrated under the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, is slated to fortify coastal security while reinvigorating the fishing industry.

These pioneering transponders, precision-crafted by the illustrious Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will be meticulously assembled on native soil. Powered by dedicated satellites, purpose-launched for this groundbreaking mission, these devices will usher in a new era of maritime vigilance.

The maiden phase of this epochal project will witness the installation of 100,000 transponders exclusively on vessels measuring less than 20 meters in length. Synergizing efforts, governmental entities including state and central fisheries departments, in tandem with the National Security Council, will orchestrate the seamless deployment of this cutting-edge technology across the tapestry of coastal domains.

Intricately designed, these two-way transponders are set to be multifaceted marvels. Beyond the cardinal function of real-time geospatial tracking, these technological marvels will serve as a veritable lifeline at sea. They shall empower fishermen with seamless communication channels, fostering rapid response capabilities in the face of exigencies. Equally remarkable, these devices will serve as beacons of safety, issuing timely alerts to mariners in the face of impending cyclones and capricious weather conditions.

This visionary initiative took its nascent strides in Tamil Nadu, marked by the installation of transponders aboard sub-20 meter vessels. It’s emblematic of the overarching endeavor spearheaded by the National Maritime Security Coordinator, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, to simplify the bureaucratic quagmire for the fishing community. This transformative system shall emancipate fishermen from the onerous task of carrying original identification documents, permitting them to transport authenticated copies.

This momentous stride harmonizes seamlessly with India’s resolute commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests. Mandated in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, wherein terrorists infiltrated Indian waters via stolen vessels, the requirement for an automatic identification system aboard fishing vessels is no longer a choice but a categorical imperative.

In an unlikely endeavor, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is venturing into salmon farming, challenging the conventional wisdom that these cold-water fish thrive only in chilly climates. The UAE’s interest in salmon farming is driven by its commitment to bolster food security while reducing water consumption, despite the country’s extreme heat and water scarcity.

The UAE’s Food Security Strategy, launched in 2018, designated fish as one of its 18 strategic food items. With an annual per capita fish consumption of approximately 66 pounds, the UAE ranks highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and nearly 50 percent above the global average of 45 pounds per capita. Despite this, local fisheries in the Emirates are overfished, and locally caught fish contribute only eight percent to UAE consumption. Salmon, a cold-water species, is the second-most consumed fish in the country, all of which is imported from colder regions.

Traditionally, farmed salmon are reared in controlled freshwater tanks before being transferred to seawater as they grow, simulating the natural lifecycle of wild salmon. Due to their relatively sedentary nature and efficient food-to-flesh conversion, farmed salmon are a sought-after commodity. Emirati investors have recognized an opportunity in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), a method that utilizes ocean water, filters, and recycles it within a self-contained system.

Since the introduction of locally farmed salmon in UAE grocery stores in 2019, the government has invested significantly in RAS production. In 2021, Abu Dhabi’s largest investment firm allocated over $350 million to a fund dedicated to RAS production and facilitated the relocation of one of the world’s largest RAS salmon producers to Abu Dhabi, with the aim of expanding inland salmon production within the UAE.

However, challenges remain. While RAS reuses up to 99 percent of the water it uses, it is a resource-intensive process that demands expensive filtration systems, skilled personnel, and substantial energy to maintain water circulation and cooling, given the UAE’s extreme temperatures. Although the energy consumption for RAS-produced salmon is higher than that of traditional sea-cage farming or RAS production of warm-water fish like tilapia, it eliminates the need to transport salmon from distant, cooler climates.

Locally farmed salmon in the UAE sells for approximately $23 per pound, making it slightly more expensive than imported farmed salmon but less expensive than imported wild salmon. The primary advantage lies in freshness, as locally farmed salmon can reach consumers’ plates within hours of harvest.

The UAE’s unconventional approach to salmon farming reflects its determination to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imports in the face of challenging environmental conditions.

Nutreco, a global leader in animal nutrition and aquaculture solutions, has announced a significant investment in Eruvaka, an Indian-based Internet of Things (IoT) company specializing in tools for aquaculture farmers. Nutreco has acquired a 25% stake in Eruvaka and is forging a strategic commercial partnership aimed at scaling Eruvaka’s technology worldwide.

Founded in 2012 by Indian entrepreneur Sreeram Raavi, Eruvaka has developed a suite of products that empower farmers to actively monitor vital pond parameters and remotely manage automated equipment. This innovative approach helps reduce farming risks, optimize feed efficiency, enhance shrimp growth, and boost farm profitability.

Omnivore, an impact venture fund focused on breakthrough technologies for food, agriculture, and rural economies, is among the other prominent shareholders in Eruvaka.

This investment aligns perfectly with Nutreco’s mission to “Feed the Future,” a commitment to sustainably produce high-quality food to meet the demands of a growing global population. Nutreco CEO Knut Nesse expressed his excitement about this investment, emphasizing how Eruvaka’s technology complements their shrimp feed business and supports expansion across Latin America and Asia.

As part of this strategic partnership, Nutreco will have representation on Eruvaka’s board through its Chief Innovation Officer, Viggo Halseth.

Sreeram Raavi, Managing Director of Eruvaka, shared his enthusiasm for collaborating with Nutreco, stating, “I’m impressed by Nutreco’s depth of knowledge in shrimp farming, and I look forward to joint development projects.”

Nutreco’s aquaculture division, Skretting, will work directly with Eruvaka to implement precision farming technology, starting with Latin America. The technology will be integrated into AquaSim, Skretting’s suite of customized performance tools. This integration will allow local shrimp farmers to remotely ensure precise feed dosages, reducing the risk of over- or under-feeding.

Carlos Miranda Illingworth, General Manager of Skretting in Ecuador, highlighted the positive impact of this technology, stating, “In Ecuador, we have been able to lower the feed conversion ratio and shorten the production cycle of shrimp thanks to satiation feeding, thereby doubling production without huge intensification. The Eruvaka solution will ensure we can work in this way with many more farms in the future.”

In line with its commitment to sustainable shrimp production, Skretting is constructing a new production facility in Ecuador with an annual capacity of 470,000 tons, set to be completed by 2019, with the first phase opening this year.