Microhabitat association and population status of the Luwuk introduced Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni Koumans, 1933) population

The Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni is the Indonesian national marine ornamental fish mascot, and an object of national and international conservation concern. The endemic population of this species is limited to the Banggai Archipelago in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia and a few nearby islands in North Maluku. In addition, introduced populations have become established, mainly along ornamental fish trade routes. The National Action Plan for Banggai Cardinalfish Conservation (NAP-BCFC) calls for monitoring and management of all P. kauderni populations. A survey of the Luwuk introduced P. kauderni population was carried out in October 2021. Data were collected at three sites with established P. kauderni populations: the ferry harbour, public harbour (Teluk Lalong) and a recreational area on the nearby coast (Kilo 5). P. kauderni were recorded by microhabitat association and size class (recruits, juveniles, adults). Data collected were compared with data from previous surveys where available. With the exception of one group in a sea anemone at Kilo 5, all P. kauderni were associated with Diadema sea urchins (D. setosum at all sites; D. savignyi at Kilo 5). At Kilo 5 P. kauderni the population structure indicates the possible capture of market-sized juveniles. Overall abundance was also lower compared to the polluted but unfished harbours. The proportion of recruits was significantly negatively correlated with the ratio of adult P. kauderni to Diadema urchins. The results will inform regional legislation currently in preparation to support sustainable management of P. kauderni populations, habitat and microhabitat in Central Sulawesi, as well as contributing to NAP-BCFC targets.Keywords:Banggai cardinalfishEndangered speciesDiademaMicrohabitat,MonitoringOrnamental fisheryLocal regulation

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA PESCA E PERFIL DOS PESCADORES ARTESANAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CARUTAPERA, LITORAL OCIDENTAL MARANHENSE, BRASIL = CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ARTISANAL FISHERY AND PROFILE OF ARTISANAL FISHERMEN IN THE MUNICIPALITY CARUTAPERA, WESTERN COAST OF MARANHÃO, BRAZIL

No litoral ocidental maranhense a pesca apresenta grande relevância social e econômica. Neste artigo objetivou-se caracterizar a pesca artesanal do município de Carutapera (Maranhão, Brasil), realizando aplicações de 50 questionários, voltados ao entendimento sobre o perfil socioeconômico dos pescadores e pescadoras, das estruturas de pesca e da comercialização do pescado. Os resultados revelaram que 70% eram do gênero masculino com média de idade de 43 anos. No que concerne ao nível de escolaridade dos pescadores e pescadoras entrevistados, 36% relataram ter ensino fundamental completo, dos quais 28% iniciaram o ensino médio e não terminaram; e 36% possuíam apenas o ensino fundamental incompleto. O índice de analfabetos foi de apenas 2%. A pesca era praticada com exclusividade por 52% deles, enquanto outros exerciam atividades como: construção civil (27%), conserto de redes de pesca (13%), agricultura (6%) e carpintaria (2%). Em relação à naturalidade, 60% eram naturais do estado do Maranhão e 40% do estado do Pará. O apetrecho de pesca mais utilizado nas capturas foi a rede de emalhar (24%) e os menos utilizados a zangaria (2%) e a faca (2%), esse último usado principalmente para a remoção de ostras. Quanto ao tipo de embarcação, a maioria dos pescadores e pescadoras artesanais faziam uso de canoas motorizadas e barcos de pequeno porte a motor, com comprimento variando de 8 metros a 11 metros. Entre as espécies mais capturadas está a pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa), espécie que tem um alto valor comercial, porém outras como a cururuca (Micropogonias furnieri) e peixe-pedra (Genyatremus luteus) são espécies capturadas durante todo o ano com boa produção. Um dos grandes problemas relatados é a falta de estrutura organizacional, evidenciando o descaso que se encontra a pesca artesanal no município.AbstractIn western coast of Maranhão, fishing has great social and economic relevance. In this article, aimed to characterize the artisanal fishing in the municipality of Carutapera (Maranhão, Brazil), using 50 questionnaires to understand the socioeconomic profile of fishermen and fisherwomen, fishing structures and fish trade. The results showed that 70% where male with an average age of 43 years. Regarding education level, 36% reported having completed elementary school, of which 28% started high school but did not complete it; and 36% had only incomplete primary education. The illiteracy rate was 2%. Fishing was practiced exclusively by 52% of them, while others had activities such as: civil construction (27%), repairing fishing nets (13%), agriculture (6%) and carpentry (2%). Regarding naturalness, 60% were from Maranhão state and 40% were from Pará state. The most used fishing tackle in the catches was the gill net (24%) and the least used were the zangraria (2%) and the knife (2%), the latter mainly used for the removal of oysters. Regarding type of vessel, most fishermen and fisherwomen used motorized canoes and small motor boats, with a length ranging from 8 meters to 11 meters. Among the most caught species is acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa), a species that has a high commercial value, but others such as whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and torroto grunt (Genyatremus luteus) are species captured throughout the year with suitable production. One of the major problems reported is the lack of organizational structure, showing the neglect of artisanal fishing in the municipality.

Malokun Festival and Practices among the Mahin on the Ilaje Coast

Religious beliefs in the precolonial kingdom of Mahin in the Ilaje area of Yorubaland were closely linked to fishing, the fish trade, and other socio-economic activities. Apart from helping to catch fish for immediate consumption, the worship of Malokun facilitated short and long distance trade in fish as a veritable trade article to be exchanged for agricultural goods. This article relies largely on oral interviews gathered from stake-holders such as the practitioners of Malokun religious rites, especially the chiefs and other community members. A group of fishermen were also interviewed alongside some fish sellers in Mahinland and in Igbokoda, the central market of Ilaje. Fishing activity significantly impacted on the development of Mahin in the past. The efficacy of ritualperformances is still held in trust by the people whose ways of life are innately fused to the performances of Malokun. The article concludes that like the Mahin, most coastal communities in Yorubaland explored their natural endowments and entrenched them into their socio-economic activities; hence, religious beliefs and economic activities are interwoven and are regarded as inseparable.

Investigation of the process of moisture loss during refrigerated storage of fish

The purpose of current work is to study the effect of carbon dioxide on the shrinkage of smoked fish and to develop a technical solution for the implementation of technology with the use of CO2 in fish trade. We use mackerel, flounder and crucian carp as test samples. The studies were carried out in two versions: storage of fish in a chamber under traditional conditions and with the addition of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the refrigerating chamber. The use of carbon dioxide gas during the storage of smoked fish leads to an increase in the water-holding capacity of the fish in comparison with the traditional storage method. In our proposed method of storage in a cold atmosphere with CO2, fish shrinkage is reduced. The carbonate ions well bind water molecules in the hydration shell due to positive hydration, which slows down the processes of hydrolysis and oxidation of lipids inside the subcutaneous layer and preserves the moisture-retaining capacity of tissues. Thus, the use of carbon dioxide in the storage of smoked fish reduces weight loss and does not affect the appearance of the fish.

Market Infrastructure and Species Availability of Four Wholesale Fish Markets in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

The study was conducted on species availability and infrastructure analysis of four different wholesale fish markets in Dhaka City. Two markets were selected from Dhaka South City Corporation, Showari Ghat and Jatrabari fish market, and two from Dhaka North City Corporation, Karwan Bazar and Abdullahpur fish market. The investigation was carried out from November 2018 to October 2019. Questionnaire based survey, FGDs (Focus Group Discussion) and KIIs (Key Informant Interviews) were conducted to get quantitative and qualitative data for present study. A total number of 62 fishes and 6 crustacean species were recorded during the study period. Among all species, 39 freshwater, 10 marine and 13 exotic fishes were recorded. Infrastructure facilities were very poor for all four markets in the matter of hygiene and quality control. Fish shades were not enough, improper sanitation and drainage system indicates the possibilities of disease transmission and deteriorate fish quality. Electricity and water supplies were good but no system was present to determine the distillation of those supplied water. Thus, infrastructural condition of the markets does not support a hygienic condition for fish marketing to provide quality fish and fish byproducts. The study highlighted the need for national initiatives, awareness building, and law implementation for improving the wholesale markets infrastructure to a minimum standard so that fish trade could provide good quality to the people of Dhaka City Bangladesh J. Zool. 49 (2): 289-300, 2021

Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Ornamental Fish Supply Chain in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the leading ornamental fish exporters globally, with total export earnings of around 15 million USD in 2019. The novel human coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has become a great threat to many industries worldwide, including the ornamental fish trade. The present study was conducted to explore the qualitative and quantitative impacts of the pandemic on the ornamental fish supply chain in the Western Province of Sri Lanka with a sample size of 100 respondents representing the key stakeholders of the supply chain. The results concluded that all the stakeholders experienced a negative impact on their business process with the ongoing pandemic. There was a general reduction in sales and along the supply chain, the fish exporters were the least affected sector (7 % reduction), followed by breeders and growers (31 %), and aquarium fish dealers (38 %). The stakeholders who handled a diversified fish stock managed to do better than those who dealt with a single fish species during the pandemic. The supply of fish feeds was one of the significant constraints for all the stakeholders during a complete and partial lockdown. As a positive outcome of the pandemic, 30 % of the fish exporters received an unexpected increased number of export orders from their buyers. Government intervention is crucial to rebuild and strengthen the impacted key players within the ornamental fish supply chain under the pandemic situation.