AstroSat view of the newly discovered X-ray transient MAXI~J1803--298 in the Hard-intermediate state

We perform comprehensive temporal and spectral analysis of the newly discovered X-ray transient MAXI~J1803--298 using an AstroSat target of opportunity observation on May 11, 2021 during its outburst. The source was found to be in the hard intermediate state. We detect type C quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) at the frequencies of $\sim5.4$ Hz and $\sim6.3$ Hz along with a sub-harmonic at $\sim2.8$ Hz in the $3-15$ keV band. The frequency and fractional rms amplitude of the QPO in the $15-30$ keV band are found to be higher than those in the $3-15$ keV band. We find soft lags of $\sim3.8$ ms and $\sim6.8$ ms for the respective QPOs at $\sim5.4$ Hz and $\sim6.3$ Hz, whereas soft lag of $\sim4.7$ ms is found at the sub-harmonic frequency. The increase in the soft lags at the QPO frequencies with energy is also observed in other black hole transients and is attributed to the inclination dependence of the lags. The rms-energy spectra indicate the power-law component to be more variable than the disk and the reflection components. We find a broad iron line with an equivalent width of $\sim0.17-0.19$ keV and a reflection hump above $\sim12$ keV in the energy spectrum. Based on the X-ray spectroscopy and considering the distance to the source as 8 kpc, the estimated mass ($\sim8.5-16$ M$_\odot$) and spin ($a\gtrsim0.7$) of the black hole suggest that the source is likely to be a stellar mass Kerr black hole X-ray binary.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ). 17 pages and 9 figure

Economic analysis of trout feed production in Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Present study is an attempt to understand the economics of trout feed production in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Trout feed production is capital intensive business which requires high initial capital investment. The results revealed that major fixed investment required in trout feed production was feed mill itself which accounted about 71.44 percent of the total investment. The cost and return analysis showed that the variable cost accounts 59.16 percent whereas fixed cost accounted 40.84 percent of the total cost respectively. Among the variable cost raw material was found out to be single most important factor which accounted about 56.37 percent of the total cost which was about 95.28 percent of the total variable cost. The average cost of production of trout feed was Rs.84.33/kg which ranged from Rs.78.45/kg in Kokarnag trout feed mill to Rs.90.2/kg in Manasbal trout feed mill but government has fixed selling price at Rs.73/Kg for the feed to maintain reasonable price level for private trout farmers. The availability and high price of raw material were found to be major constraints faced by feed producers. Economics analysis revealed that both the feed mills are operating at suboptimal level and there is need to utilize the feed mill to its full potential and export the surplus production to neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh and other Himalayan states like Sikkim and Arunachal which will help the state fisheries department to generate extra income which can be used in other developmental activities

Enforcement of Minimum Legal Size on Fishers in Kerala, India: An Economic Appraisal

The implementation of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) as a tool for managing fisheries and addressing the menace of juvenile fishing was first implemented by the state of Kerala in India in 2015. Since sustainability and profits offer a dramatic trade-off, the study has been conceptualized on the hypothesis that MLS has negatively affected the income of fishers. Primary data from 210 respondents across mechanized, motorized, and non-motorized fishing sectors were collected from six districts of Kerala to analyze and assess the change in income of fishers after the adoption of minimum legal size. The income of fishers who adopted MLS were found to be reduced in all the sectors viz. purse and ring seiners, single day trawlers, motorized gillnetters, and non-motorized crafts with 4.04, 2.31, 2.14, and 1.48 per cent reduction in income respectively. The benefit-cost analysis between compliers and non-compliers of MLS revealed that the adoption of minimum legal size has not significantly affected the fishers, as they could fetch higher price for their catch which negated the loss of income due to MLS adoption. These results highlight the necessity of implementing management measures like MLS to achieve sustainability and better management of marine capture fisheries

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Not AvailableMaharashtra ranks fifth in total marine fish landing in India, and the significant share contributed by pelagic resources (38 %), followed by demersal (28.7 %), crustaceans (24.8 %), and mollusks (9 %). The marine fish landings of Maharashtra during 2020 were 398511 tons, having an annual growth rate of -10.61%. (Fisheries Dept. report 2021), mainly because of the loss of fishing days and lack of fishing labour due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The constraint analysis through rank-based quotient (RBQ) is done to analyse the various problems stakeholders face during marketing in the Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. RBQ analysis revealed that the high transportation cost, uncertain catch, non-availability of high-grade fish catch, marketing cost (transportation/labour etc.), poor infrastructure facilities at the market yard, non -availability of insulated boxes are the significant constraints faced by the actors involved in the marketing. The policymakers should consider the challenges faced by the marketers of this region to encourage fish marketing by building organized markets.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIn India, fisheries is an economic activity contributing 17.07% of the total agricultural exports during the year 2016-17 with annual earnings of US$ 5.78 billion (` 37,870 crores). Frozen shrimp contributes maximum share of about 66% by value and 39% by quantity. The present study has examined the geographical penetration, composition and unit value realisation of frozen shrimp exports from India. It also estimates the competitiveness index, comparative advantage and market diversification of Indian frozen shrimp exports in the world exports market. India’s total fishery exports has risen from 0.3 million tons to 0.95 million tons during the period 1995-96 to 2015-16 with a compound growth rate of 6.46%. India has lost its market share in Japan but has gained in South East Asia and European Union market during the period 1995-96 to 2014-15. India’s frozen shrimp exports to major export destinations like Japan, USA and EU have been getting diversified over the period.Not Availabl

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