Research Accomplishments

The salient accomplishments/ outcomes of different intramural and extramural projects (both on-going

and completed) are given below:

1. Department of Fisheries resources Management:

The department has completed only one extramural research project funded by Tripura JICA Project:

• Total 103 species fishes were recorded from the

aquatic resources of Tripura. Out of the 103

species 4 (four) species recorded first time from

Tripura, namely- Neonoemacheilus assamensis,

Sisor rhabdophorus, Glyptothorax

manipurensis and Schistura nagensis.

• Total 28 (twenty eight) familes are recorded

viz., Notopteridae, Anguillidae, Clupeidae,

Cyprinidae, Cobitidae ,Balitoridae

,Parasilorhynchidae, Homalopteridae,

Belonidae, Belontidae, Anabantidae,

Heteoneustidae, Siluridae, Sisoridae,

Amblyciptidae,Clariidae Ambassidae,

Nandidae, Channidae, Gobiidae,

Mastacembeidae, Osphronemidae, Bagridae,

Chacidae, Synbranchidae, Aplocheilidae,

Schilbeidae, Tetraodontidae,

2. Department of Aquaculture:

The department has completed one intramural and two extramural research projects of ICAR.

Intramural:

• A survey carried out in South Tripura district

indicated that more than 50 species suitable

for keeping in aquarium are available with

varied qualities.

• Following species were identified as the

potential species on which intensive research

investments and efforts can be placed to

develop commercially viable technologies to

ensure regular supply of these fishes produced

through artificial propagation and cultured.

• The species are Colisa faciatus, Botio dario,

Aplocheilus panchax, Barchdanio rario,

Pseudambassis baculis, Pseudambassis ranga

Chanda nama, Nandus nandus, Mystus

vittatus, and Chaca chaca.

Externally funded from ICAR:

• As part of this project, a survey carried out with

996 families to assess the participation of

women in aquaculture activities indicated that

in 44.66 % families women did not involve in

any of the aquaculture activities and obtained

significantly lower production (1325

kg/ha/year) as compared to those families

wherein women were involved with aquaculture

activity at varied degree (1601 kg/ha/year).

• Further, among these women involved in

aquaculture activity, only less than 2% women attended any of the aquaculture trainings.

• Among the men, nearly 78% attended to some trainings organized by the Department of Fisheries.

The study has clearly shown the need to focus on women and provide them with knowledge and skills

to increase aquaculture productivity.

• Another study carried out to assess the fish seed nursing farmers has shown that farmers adopt wide

ranging stocking density and management practices, but yet make good profits from this activity.

• With the availability of spawn at low cost, seed are stocked even up to 40 lakh /ha and nursed using

locally available feed ingredients. Though survival of spawn declined with the increasing stocking

density, the best benefit–cost ratio of 3.35 was obtained at more than 40 lakh /ha stocking density,

while the overall BCR was 2.40.

Externally funded from ICAR:

• Among the various substrates screened,

bamboo was found to be easily available

substrate in all places.

• To determine the density of bamboo in fish

pond, trials were conducted with

participating farmers wherein 25%, 50%

and 75 % of the pond surface area

equivalent was covered with bamboo

poles. These were compared with control

group of farmers with no bamboo.

• The production obtained by farmers at the

end of six month culture showed that the

provision of substrate resulted in higher

production at all levels as compared to

control and the maximum level of

production ( 2262 kg/ha) was obtained at 50% level while in control , it was only 1516 kg/ha.

• The production obtained at 75% level was marginally lower (2190 kg/ha), but at 25% level,

production increased almost by 25% as compared to control ponds.

• Based on these results, it is suggested that farmers can use substrate up 50% level in the pond and

enhance fish production besides other benefits.

Department of Fish Health and Environment

The department has completed two intramural, one extramural research projects, and another two IRPs

and one inter institutional project are ongoing.

Intramural

• Total 14 (fourteen) genus of fish parasite were

documented. All the parasites were distributed in 6

different higher taxa viz., Myxozoa (Protozoa);

Ciliophora (Protozoa); Platyhelminthes-

Monogenea, Cestoidae & Digenea; Nematoda;

Acanthocephala; Arthropoda – Crustacea.

• Out of these, Argulus sp., Dactylogyrus sp., and

Neothelohanellus catlae were very common.

• The Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS)-like

ulcerative condition in bata was due to A. invadans.

Possibly, this is the first report of occurrence of

EUS in bata.

• In healthy fish, EUS was successfully reproduced

by intramuscular injection and cohabitation which

helps in understanding the infectivity and role of A.

invadans.

• Increased level of different immunological

parameters in EUS-affected fish confirmed the

active participation of innate defence mechanisms in inhibiting invasive hyphae.

• Haematological profile was altered significantly in EUS-affected fish suggesting their possible use as

marker for the diagnosis of EUS.

•

•

Externally funded from DST

• In total, 22 genera of zooplankton, important

source of natural foods for fishes, were

identified from water bodies.

• Among them, Bosmina tripurae (Cadocera) is

an important species whose biology,

population dynamics and nutritional values

have been studied in relation to water quality

parameters.

• Maximum abundance of Bosmina tripurae was

recorded in all water bodies during January to

March.

• Water Temperature is one of the determining

factors in the seasonal distribution of Bosmina

tripurae.

• The nutritional values of Bosmina tripurae

were found to be: Total carbohydrate (13.8

mg/gm to 27.8 mg/gm), total Fat (9.6 to 18%),

Total N (7.8-10.5 %) and Protein (48.75- 65.62

%).

• Minerals (mg/gm) content of Bosmina tripurae

were found to be: Phosphorus (1.30-3.61, Fe-

24.90-125, Al- 4.5-8.08, Mn- 0.1-15.21, Ca-

24.90-89.42, Cu 0-.96, K- 30-60, Mg- 11.7-119.7).

Externally funded NAIP

• The baseline survey in two village clusters (Maracherra and Balaram) have been completed to know the

present farming system practiced by the farmers for further intervention towards the livelihood

improvement of the poor farmers.

• As a part of the sensitization program and entry point activities, several group meeting/ individual

contact have been made. Release of quality fingerlings in selected SHGs and beneficiaries was organized

in two clusters.

• ‘Training cum Exposure Visit’ for farmers was organized at College of Fisheries

• Quality fish seeds were distributed among 28 numbers of farmers during the said training program.

• Two off-campus training programme on ‘Fish Based Farming System’ was organized at Balaram.

• Various farm inputs were provided to develop fish based farming system among Twenty-three nos. of

beneficiaries (10 at Balaram & 13 at

Maracherra) and one SHG from Balaram.

• To develop the fish based farming system

total 9 (nine) pattern of technologies were

introduced which includes: i) Fish-fruit-veg-

pig farming (6), ii) Fish- fruit- veg -pig-

spawn farming (1), iii) Fish- fruit- pig

farming (9), iv) Fish- veg- pig farming (1),

v) Fish- veg- pig farming (3), vi) Fish

spawn rearing (New- 1), vii) Fish spawn-

composite- veg- medicinal plant farming

(New- 1), viii) Paddy (Rice) - fish culture

(New-3), and ix) Paddy (Rice) - fish - pig

culture (New- 1).

• Total Area Covered = 8.48 ha (Land area=

6.24 ha; Water area= 2.24 ha) under fish

based farming system in both the clusters.

• Out of such nine intervention Fish-fruit-

veg- pig farming was found as more

effective as compared to others. The

production of fishes per ha was increased

as tune of 2.6 and 1.8 after intervention

from 0.6 and 0.3 in case of Uttam Debnath

of Balaram and Bhagirath Debbarma of

Maracherra.

• Fish spawn rearing–composite-veg-fruit-

pig farming is started as new intervention

during this year. The ditch of Sri Biswa

kumar Debbarma was used for such

purpose from where he sold fingerling of

Rs. 7500/- during this year.

• Total 54 numbers of ITKs were documented under integrated fish farming.

• Aquatic system health card was prepared and distributed to the farmers.

• Three types of horticultural plants viz., banana, papaya and pineapple were introduced as per the pattern

of land in the fish based farming system.

Department of Fish Genetics & Reproduction

The department has completed three intramural and one extramural research projects.

• The eggs of Ompok bimaculatu, pabda, started hatching

after 20 hours and within 24 hours all the eggs hatched

(at a water temperature of 27 degree centigrade).

• The larvae were fed from the third day after hatching

ad-libitum, twice daily and the concentrations of the

live feed (artemia nauplii/ zooplankton) in the rearing

tank were adjusted depending on the residual live feed

concentration in the tank.

•

•

• The larval rearing in laboratory

condition, for 12 days showed that it was

possible to obtain a survival percentage

ranging from 47% - 62 %.

•

• Further, rearing of larvae in cement

tanks for a period of 30 days resulted in

a survival percentage of about 90%.

• The results demonstrate the potential to

improve larval survival by providing apt

food and water quality conditions.

Externally funded from ICAR:

• 434 lakhs carp spawn has been produced in hatchery and 5.32 lakhs fry/fingerling of IMC has been raised

till date.

• Freshwater prawn PL produced 41,500 till date.

Department of Fish processing Technology:

The department has completed four intramural, one extramural research projects and another two IRPs and

one external funded project are ongoing.

Intramurals

• Establishment data-base of proximate composition of Hilsa ilisha

(Indian shad) of Meghna estuary.

• Evaluation of seasonal variation of biochemical composition of

hilsa.

• Evaluation of biochemical composition of lona ilish.

• Comparison of quality of lona ilish between indigenously produced

and imported from Bangladesh.

• The quality of lona ilish imported from

Bangladesh has been found comparatively better

than that of the indigenously produced one.

• The key microorganisms of fermentation are

Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Bacillus.

• Pathogens of public health significance were not

found in any of the samples.

• The pH remains near 6 when the shidal becomes

ready for consumption, which is again a reason

for low count of bacteria.

• Curry standardization: The recipes of Fish-Veg

mixed curry (FVMC) have been standardized and

it was prepared using two recipes viz. FVMC

with potato (FVMC+p) and FVMC without potato (FVMC-p). The recipe was standardized through

sensory evaluation by regular fish eaters following 10 point Hedonic scale and all the products could

secure a sensory score of around 9.

• Canning and storage study were done for Fish-Veg mixed curry (FVMC)

• The blend fish-rice starch-corn starch (20:40:40) with extrusion conditions (moisture-20%, barrel

temperature-1200C, screw speed-350 rpm and die diameter-3.0 mm) has shown maximum expansion

ratio (2.4) and scored higher value (overall

acceptance 7.95) in sensory evaluation

• The blend fish-rice starch-corn starch (20:40:40)

with extrusion conditions (moisture-20%, barrel

temperature-1200C, screw speed-350 rpm and die

diameter-3.0 mm) has shown maximum expansion

ratio (2.4) and scored higher value (overall

acceptance 7.95) in sensory evaluation

• For fish-rice-corn-soya and fish-rice-corn-bengal

gram blend the best combination of extrusion

parameters found for high expansion index and

low bulk density were temperature, screw speed

and die diameter as 1200C, 350 rpm, 3.0 mm and

1200C, 425 rpm and 3.0 mm respectively.

• Silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) can be

used to produce fish based extruded snacks.

Externally funded from Ministry of Food Processing:

• The proximate composition of about 20

indigenous small fish fishes were analyzed

and used for product development

• The Products developed were

1. Fish pickle

2. Prawn pickle

3. Fish cutlet

4. Fish ball

5. Fish Finger

6. Fish sausage

7. Kamaboko products

8. Dried fish products

9. Smoked fish products

• A training programme was organized to train the State Govt. Fisheries Extension Officers, NGO

workers and SHG members. The training program was on a training on Value Added Fish Product

Development was held with 21 participants from all the states of northeast 17-21 JULY 2006.

Department of Fisheries Engineering:

The department has completed only one intramural project.

Intramural:

• Following gears are used in tripura:

� Gill Nets: Fashi jal / Kanke jal/ Chatjal/ Current net and

Drift net

� Drag Net: Laitya jal;, Fy jal; Ber jal; Atta ber jal; Tana jal

and Para jal;

� Bag nets: Pelni Jal; Phaloon/ Khara Jal/ Bel Jal; Chapila

Jal and Maiya/Aain-Jal;

� Falling Gears: Kuni Jal / Uran Jal; Pachanjal and Polo

jal(Castnet)

� Lift Net: Dharma Jal;

� The indigenous fishing lines, hooks and traps which are specially designed to catch target fish

species in Tripura were identified.

• There are three different types of wooden boats namely; Kusha, Dingi and Saranga are being used for

fishing. These crafts are built with locally available wood rangi/jarol etc. by village carpenters.

Department of Fisheries Economics and Statistics:

The department has completed two intramural, one extramural research projects.

Intramural:

� The fisheries resource database can be broadly

categorized into fisheries statistics, water resource,

fish details, technology and institutional sub

databases. This database is being developed using

MS Access. After deciding the attributes and field

types for particular table, the data tables on

district/block code, fish species details, available

water area, fish production (capture/culture), fish

seed production, export/import; technologies and

Institutions are created. Then entity relationships

(E-R Diagram) are set in order makes the relational

database.

� The block wise production of fish, fish seed

production, culture and capture water area, fish

farmers and fisherman population were collected

for the period 2004 to 2008. The monthly data on rainfall and number of rainy days for 17 observatory of

Tripura were compiled for the period 1998 to 2008.

� The details of 129 fish species found in Tripura along with their images were digitized and the report on

Fish Species of Tripura with their details was generated. A typical view of the report is given above.

Department of Fisheries Extension:

The department has completed three intramural research projects..

• The finding of the research states that in inland fisheries

extension one of the limiting factors is the low

competency of fisheries extension personnel, especially

in major area of fisheries science like aquaculture, fish

diseases & environmental monitoring and fish genetics

& reproduction.

• In specific subjects still core areas required competence

as identified by the Fishery Officers in the state of

Tripura. These are culture of commercially important

fish species, soil & water quality management,

fish/prawn seed production technology,

entrepreneurship development, preparation of shidal and

design and construction of fish farm.

• Large adoption gap was found in improved feeding practices, use of aerators, water exchange and

monitoring and liming practices.

• Knowledge of scientific fish farming, share of fisheries to total income, fisheries related training

programme attained, aspiration, extension contact, potentiality to realise opportunity had positive and

significance relation with adoption of improved practices of carp culture.

• The major constraints perceived by the fish farmers were lack of availability of balanced feeding

combined with shortage of quality seed.