Squids and Cuttlefis Squids and Cuttlefishes - A Promising Resource from the Seas Around India

Sqiuds, cuttlefishes and octo­ State Average % in all In recent years, CMFRI has puses are collectively known as annual India catch cephalo- strengthened its research inves­ Cephalopods, a group of inver­ (t) pod catch tigations on cephalopod resour­ tebrates under phylum Mollusca. ces and observations are made Realising the food value of Gujarat 6,056 16.7 from the research centres of this sqiuds and cuttlefishes there has Maharashtra 12,360 34.1 Institute at Veraval, Bombay, Karnataka Mangalore, Cochin, Mandapam, been some kind of sustenance 1,710 4.7 Goa 734 2.0 Madras and Visakhapatnam. Be­ fishery for this group since ear­ Kerala 10,287 28.3 sides studying the catch, effort ly times in our country. When Tamilnadu 4,281 11.8 and species composition, stock the trawling for shrimps got its Pondicherry 51 0.1 assessment of this group is also momentum since the early six­ Andhra Pradesh 682 1.9 being made for the inshore and ties, squids and cuttlefishes used Orissa 108 0.3 off shore regions. The dominant to occur as by-catches in consi­ West Bengal 14 — species composition at different derable quantities. But these Lakshadweep 10 — centres is given below : were used to be discarded into the sea as they had no commer­ cial importance then. However, Centres in recent years a good export Species market has come into being for SQUIDS this group and hence increasing quantities of squids and cuttle­ Loligo duvauceli all centres fishes are now landed from the Loligo uyii Madras trawl catches. Still there is no organised or directed fishery for Doryteuthis singhalensis Vizhinjam and Cochin this group. Doryteuthis sibogae Vizhinjam and Madras Sepioteuthis lessoniana Mandapam The average production of squids and cuttlefishes at pre­ CUTTLEFISHES sent is estimated around 40,000 Sepia pharaonis all centres tonnes contributing to about Sepia aculeata all centres 2% of the all India marine fish Cochin and Veraval production. Seventyfive- 90% of Sepia elliptica the catch comes from the west Sepia brevimana Madras coast as trawl fishing is heavily Sepia prashadi Madras concentrated in the region. The Sepiella inermis all centres rest of the catch is landed at centres along the east coast. OCTOPUSES

The average annual production Octopus vulgaris 1985-87 in the different mari­ Octopus cyaneus Lakshadweep time States of India is given in Octopus membranaceus the following Table : The data on catch per unit effort observed over a period of years indicated that CPUE was of higher magnitude in the ob­ servation centres like Bombay, \VA --. Veraval, Sakthikulangara, Mad­ ras and Visak+iapatnam. These are thus the leading cen­ tres for cephalopod production in the country.

Export of cephalopods : The range of cephalopod pro­ ducts exported include frozen cuttlefish, frozen cuttlefish fil­ lets, frozen squids, dried squids & cuttlefishes, and cuttlebones. The cuttlebone was the first item to be exported from 1966 on­ wards and others followed from 1973. An average quantity of 9,500 tonnes of cephalopod pro­ ducts valued at Rs 198 million was exported from India during 1985-87.

Potential resources of squids and cuttlefishes : In view of the importance of economy of the fisheries sector, the cephalopod resuorces in the exploratory surveys have been undertaken by different govern­ ment agencies to locate poten­ tial grounds for the group.

The erstwhile Pelagic Fishery Project in its survey beyond the traditional fishing grounds has Sepia pharaonis, a commercially important cuttlefish indicated good concentrations of squids and cuttlefishes off the depth range of 60-80 m. Trawl potential for the exploitation of south west coast and in the Gulf surveys by FORV Sagar Sam- oceanic squids was recognized. Mannar. The exploratory surveys padd have indicated good con­ by the vessels of Fishery Survey centrations of cuttlefishes and The cephalopod potential for of India off the Kerala coast and squids along the west coast in the Indian EEZ is estimated at Wadge Bank have indicated 180,000 tonnes. The estimates the 50-200 m depth zone. good cephalopod catch rates. for Eastern Arabian Sea are Survey by M. T. Muraena has During the surveys by R. V- 50,000 and Bay of Bengal are also given similar indications Varuna in the Arabian Sea, R.V. — 100,000 tonnes and 100,000* for the north west coast. The Shoyo Mara in the north Ara­ — 150,000 tonnes respectively. foreign vessels operating under bian Sea and FORV Sagar A harvest potential of 50,000 charter in Indian EEZ had a Sampada erf fVorth west coast tonnes from the neretic sector catch rate of 106 kg/hr in the and north east coasts, the high and at 25,000 — 50,000 tonnes

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Oceanic squid Automatic Squid jigging machine in operation Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis

from oceanic sector are also esti­ and cuttlefishes. There is consi­ ly successful methods employed mated. derable gap between the poten­ in Japan. Experimental fishing tial estimates and actual produc­ with these gears was first attem­ The need for aimed fishery tion. Experimental fishing with pted by Marine Products Export for cephalopods : high opening bottom trawls have Development Authority in 1985 Though the cephalopod pro­ indicated that this gear could which showed that these me­ duction in the country has in­ be successfully employed for in­ thods were technically feasible. creased since 1973, much grea­ creasing cephalopod production. ter harvest could be made Squid jigging and fishing with Recently a squid jigging pro­ through aimed fishery for squids stick-held dip nets are two high- gramme aiming at training In­ dian personnel in the operation of the gear and testing the tech­ nical feasibility has been under­ taken with a Japanese consultant under the auspices of Central Institute of Fisheries, Nautical & Engineering Training and Fi­ shery Survey of India with the scientific involvement of CMFRI. Two vessels, M. V. Matsya su- gundhi of FSI and MFV Blue- fin of CIFNET rigged for auto­ matic jigging are operating along south west coast. Encour­ aging results have been obtained off Quilon and off Vizhinjam coasts. This programme is ex­ pected to provide information on the commercial viability of this Hand Squid jigging unit modern method in our waters.

4 Squid jigging involves simple, Technique of squid jigging drums and the line is released gear and operation techniques automatically to required depths, with moderate capital invest­ Squid jigging is either done and on reachingthe set depth it ment. Two thirds of Japan's pro­ with manually operated hand is hauled back. The operation is duction is contributed by this line units or with automatic me­ gear. Squid jigging is a fishing repeated automatically-. The jigs chanised units. But in either method developed basically tak­ and the units are designed in case, the principle involved is the ing into consideration the beha­ such a way that the hooked same. A jig is nothing but an viour of squids in response to squids drop on board automati­ artificial bait. It has spindle certain physical factors like cally when hauled up. shaped body made of coloured light etc. Squids are fast grow-% ing which naturally makes them hard or soft synthetic material voracious in their feeding ha­ with two sets of sharply point­ Incandescent or halogen lamps ' bits. They prey upon anything ed hooks arranged in crown like coming in their way, be it crusta­ clusters. Jigs are attached to mo­ of 1 to 4 KW power are 'used ceans, finfishes or their own nofilament lines at one metre for attracting squids. It has been kind. They congregate in schools interval. The line is wound observed in Japanese waters and are generally found in the round on to a drum which is that the squids concentrate in deep scattering layers which are cylindrical in hand line units or the boundary between light and rich in forage organisms. They elliptical in mechanised units. shade. Stability of the craft in­ are attracted by artificial lights. The line is released into the wa­ creases the operational efficien­ All these behavioural aspects ter through out board rollers. A cy and for this purpose special have been fruitfully utilised in sinker is attached to the line. type of anchors known as para­ catching them with jigs. The automatic unit has two such chute anchors are used.

Training programmme on sampling techniques for assessment of exploiteslotted marine fishery resources

A ten days programme on Sampling Techniques for assess­ ment of exploited marine fishery resources was organised by CMFRI at Cochin from ,12-22 De­ cember, for the benefit of fishery officials of maritime sta­ tes. The course was attended by 8 officers deputed from the Fi­ sheries Departments of Gujarat, •Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, An- i Njhra Pradesh and Kerala.

UtThe participants were intro-. weed to the latest methodolo- •s in sampling, collection of Btta on effort and estimation of •ferine fish production. Exten- Eve practical training in both Dr P. S. B. R. James, Director, CMFRI delivering the •Moratory and field was part of presidential address at the valedictory meeting. Seated is fte training programme. Dr Sathiarajan, Director, IFP.

5 FISHERIES EXTENSION SEMINAR FRAD Zonal Workshop Annual workshop of FRAD As a part of the research pro­ tribution to marine fish produc­ field staff engaged in marine ject 'Organising Outreach Pro­ tion. Shri K. Moidu, Member, fisheries survey were held dur­ grammes in Fishing Villages' the Chavakkad Block Development ing November. The zonal meet­ Fishery Economics & Extension Council and Member, State Fish­ ings for the staff in West Ben­ Division of Institute organised eries Development Board in his gal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh an Extension Seminar at Chavak- felicitation admired the role of was held at Vishakhapatnam Re kad, a fishing village of Trichur research and developmental search Centre. The staff mem­ district on 18 November. The agencies in the country's con­ bers attached to Ongole and seminar was co-sponsored by In­ tinuous fishery modernisation Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and dian Overseas Bank, Chavakkad. programme, and pointed out the different centres at Tamil Nadu inadequacy of repair and main­ met at Mandapam Camp and The objective of this project tenance facilities for OBM and those in AAaharastra and Guja­ led by Smt. Krishna Srinath, IBM units in the small scale rat met at Bombay Research Scientist, was to create aware­ fisheries sector. Centre. The field staff in diffe­ ness among fishermen about the rent centres in Kerala and Kar- The technical session was development opportunities avail­ nataka met at Cochin. able to them. The programme chaired by Dr K.C. George, Sci­ was organised based on the pre­ entist, CMFRI. Scientists of sent status of development CMFRI, KVK and representati­ The discussions at the Work­ awareness of fishermen. ves of Central Institute of Fishe­ shop helped in updating the ries Technology, Kerala State frame for sample survey and The Seminar was inaugurated Fisheries Department, Kerala improving sampling procedures by Shri Beeru Sahib, Municipal Fisheries Development Co-opera­ to increase precision of esti­ Chairman, Chavakkad. Dr A.V.S. tive (Matsyafed), Kerala Fisher­ mates. Murthy, Scientist, CMFRI presi­ men Welfare Fund Board, Rural ded over the function. The Development Block, United In­ KVK Chairman in his inaugural ad­ dia Insurance Company and the Seven training programmes on dress mentioned about the chan­ Indian Overseas Bank, the lead prawn/fish culture were organi­ ging scenario in marine fisheries Bank of the area served as re­ sed in which 116 farmers iclud- and appealed to the artisanal source persons for the seminar. ing 82 women participated. fishermen for greater participa­ About 100 fishermen and 50 tion : in programmes organised students from Fisheries Techni­ by research and development cal School, Chavakkad, partici­ A one-day course on prawr agencies. He further stressed pated in the Seminar and the seed collection was organised ir the need for working together discussions. which 15 women were trained. with scientists and developmen­ tal agencies to improve the rural economy and increase their con-

About .7500 spat of clam Pa- phia malabarica have settled down in the Shellfish Hatchery at Tuticorin. It is proposed to ranch the spat in the natural beds.

Honey comb rock oyster «fe^ TX~ fmt"t^££#*H8tb Crassostrea cristagalli spawn­ ed in the Shellfish Hatchery La­ Technical session of the Extension Seminar — fishermen boratory. and scientists in interaction.

6 Four training courses of three, NEHRU CENTENARY YEAR CELEBRATIONS two and one day duration each were conducted in which 67 farm women participated. One of these courses was arranged as a part of the World Food Day celebrations.

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A one day training program­ me on paddy cultivation was ar­ ranged for the benefit of 6 farm men. * * * Two courses of one day du­ ration each on fruit preservation was organised for the benefit of 38 women. * * * Two one-day courses on nutri­ Hon'ble Justice Shri K. Sukumaran, High Court of Kerala, tion was organised in which 29 addressed the staff of the Institute on 28 November as women were trained. part of the Nehru Centenary Year Celebrations. The focal * * * theme of his talk was "Nehru — The Architect of Agrarian As part of the new 20 point Reforms in the Country." programme of the Prime Mini­ ster a one day training program­ me on Social Forestry was or­ ganised in which 15 women par­ ticipated. * * * The Local Management Com­ mittee meeting of the KVK was held on 22 November under the Chairmanship of Dr P.S.B.R. James, Director.

'Hindi Week' Celebration Hindi week was celebrated at CMFRI Headquarters during 5-9 December. Competitions were held for the members of staff in essay writing, drafting, termino­ logy, translation, poetry, recita­ Prof. B. Erishikesan Tampi of Maharaja's College, tion, light music, typewriting Ernakulam addressing the staff at the valedictory function etc in Hindi. The members of of the Hindi Week Celebrations. staff showed great enthusiasm and participated actively in the ticorin. At present about 13 Extension Meeting programmes. million larvae are being reared A meeting of the Fishermen's Black-lip Pearl Oyster Spawned for settlement in the hatchery. Forum at Kandakkadavu was in the Laboratory This is the first time that the called on 20 December under Rearl oyster Pinctada marga- black-lip pearl oyster has spawn­ the research project planned ritifera spawned in the Shell­ ed in India under controlled change in a coastal village — fish Hatchery Laboratory at Tu- conditions. model for a first-line extension

7 programme. The extension pro­ Ph.D. Awarded Meeting of the working group grammes for the year 1989 of Eighth Five Year Plan of were discussed with the mem­ Shri A.P. Lipton, Scientist S-2 Department of Ocean Develop­ bers to secure their participa­ was awarded Ph.D. Degree by ment at New Delhi, 7 October. tion in the planning of the pro­ the Madurai Kamaraj University gramme. The meeting helped to for his thesis entitled 'Studies Nineth meeting of the steering identify the felt needs of the on Microbial Diseases of Some committee for Island Develop­ local people and streamline the Commercially Important Fresh­ ment Authority at New Delhi, 12. programmes accordingly. water Fishes with special refe­ October. rence to Aeromonas and Pseudo- mons.' Visitors ICAR Director's Conference Tuticorin and Divisional meetings at New Shri P.K. Mishra, I.A.S., Chair­ Delhi, 3T October & I November. man, paradip Port Trust, Para- dip. International Symposium on Aquaculture Research Needs for Shri Peter Thomson, Assistant the year 2000 at New Delhi, Director of Fisheries, Maldives. 15-18 November. Dr Koos Vijverberg, Limnolo- gical Institute, Oosterzee, Ne­ Meeting of the ICAR Scienti­ therlands. fic Panel for Fisheries at New Delhi, 24 November. Students from 37 colleges vi­ sited the research centre. Meeting of the working group on fisheries at Department of Karwar Shri Arun Shivnath Ninawe Ocean Development, New Delhi, Students of St Peter's College, 12 December. Kolanchery Shri Arun Shivnath Ninawe, Senior Research Fellow at the National Workshop on Sea Veraval Post-graduate Education and Re­ Farming for mainland and is­ Dr M.R. Nair, Director, CI FT, search Programme in Maricul- ture has been awarded Ph.D. by lands of India at Bombay, 20 Cochin. the Cochin University of Science December. Shri Farugul Hug and Zakaria and Technology for his studies Mamoom, CFTC Fellows, Bangla­ on certain nitrogen cycle bacte­ Dr P.S.B.R. James, Director, desh. ria in the prawn culture fields Dr M.M. Thomas, Shri D.B.S. Se- of Kerala. Shri Ninawe worked hara and Smt Krishna Srinath, Senior batch of D.F.Sc. Stu­ under the guidance of Dr R. Paul Scientists participated in the In­ dents, CIFE, Bombay. Raj, Scientist, CMFRI. ternational Conference on Ap­ propriate Agricultural Technolo­ Minicpy ICAR Senior Fellowship Awarded gies for Farm Women organised Karnataka Legislative Com­ by ICAR and International Rice mittee-on 'Papers Laid on the Smt Mary K. Manisseri and Research Institute at New Delhi, Table' under the Chairmanship Smt Krishna Srinath, Scientists 30 November-4 December. of Shri Jose Fernandez, M.L.A. S-G have been selected for the award of ICAR Senior Fellow­ Shri P. Singh, Deputy Secre­ ship for the year 1988. Dr M.M. Thomas, Officer-in- tary, Ministry of Law and Jus­ cha rge, KVK attended the mon­ tice, New Delhi. Engagements thly T & V Workshop of the Prof Mrithyunjay Banerjee, Agricultural Extension Program­ M.L.A. with eight other M.L.A.s Dr P.S.B.R. James, Director, me of Kerala Agricultural Uni­ of West Bengal. attended the following meetings: versity.

8 PGPM Shri Yaomi Sasa as Field As­ Transfers sistant (T-1) at Bombay, 29 De­ Nine Junior Research Fellows cember. Shri A. Prosper, Junior Tech­ of Seventh batch of M.Sc. Mari- nical Assistant (T-2) from Mal-

culture completed their course. Shri K. Dhanaraju, Technical van to Tuticorin. '-: Assistant T-1-3 as Technical As­ Ten Junior Research Fellows sistant T-11-3 at Kakinada, 30 Shri S. Mohideen Meeras, De­ of Nineth Batch joined M.Sc. December. ckhand Senior (T-2) from Co­ programme in Mariculture. chin to Mandapam Camp. Shri N. Ravindranathan, S.S.G. Ill as Senior Gesterner Operator Shri A.K. Unnikrishnan„ Cook Appointments 17 December. (T-2) from Cochin to Visakha« patnam. Kum P.K. Seetha as Field As­ Shri T.K. Antony S.S.G.I. (Lift sistant (T-1) at Cochin, 7 No­ Operator) at Cochin, 11 Octo­ Shri K.C. Gopaian, T-1 (Cook) vember. ber. from Cochin to Vizhinjam.

Shri C. Purandhara as Field Shri S. Mohanan as S.S.G. I Shri R. Ananda Jyothi, S.S.G.I. Assistant (Tr1) at Mangalore, 2 (Lift Operator) at 'Cochin, 17 (Peon) from Tuticorin to Ma­ November. October. dras.

Shri Bijoy Krishna Barman as Smt R.M. Sarasamma as S.S. Field Assistant (T-1) at Visakha- G.I. (Messenger) at Cochin, 2 Retirements patnam, 1 November. November.

Dr M.D.K. Kuthalingam, Sci­ Shri S. Hemasundra as Field Shri N.K. Harshan as S.S.G.I. entist S-3 on superannuation, 30 Assistant (T-1) at Visakhapat- (Messenger) at Cochin, 28 Nov­ November. nam, 2 November. ember.

Shri V. Ramachandran, S.S. Shri V. Rajendran, T-4 as Te­ Shri A. Kajendran, Senior Clerk G. Ill (Lab Attendant) on su­ chnical Officer (T-6) at Cochin, as Assistant (Ad hos) at Manda* perannuation, 31 October 24 December. oam Camp, 4 November.

Shri P.K. Mahadevan Filial, Shri K. Santiprasad, Junior Shri S.M. Seeni, S.S.G.I 11 (Lab T-4 as Technical Officer (T-6) at Clerk (ad-hoc) at Mandapam, Attendant) on superannuation, Madras, 30 December. 23 December. 30 November.