Blue ring Octopus, Hapalochlaena nierstraszi, from the Bay of Bengal along the Chennai Coast

On 12-08-2012, a rare occurrence of Blue ring octopus {Hapalochlaena nierstraszi (Adam 1938)), with a length of 82-165 mm and weight of 5.5-18 g was recorded for the first time at Kasimedu Fisheries Harbour , Chennai. It was caught by Trawl net gear at a depth of 20-30 m in Bay of Bengal along the Chennai Coast. There are about at least ten species of tiny blue-ringed octopus, which, ironically for their size, are the most deadly of ail cephalopods,but only four have been formally named. All these are inhabitants of Asian-pacific waters. These are; Greater Blue-ringed Octopus {Hapalochlaena lunulata), Lesser Blue-ringed Octopus or Southern Blue-ringed Octopus {Hapalochlaena maculosa), Blue-lined Octopus {Hapalochlaena fasciata) and Hapalochlneno nierstraszi. The common names come from the bright blue rings that appear when they are alarmed or attacked

Distribution of bivalve resources in Kandleru Estuary, Krishnapatnam Basin, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh

Kandleru River flowing north of Gudur town confluences with the Bay of Bengal near Krishnapatnam at latitude 14° 15´ N and longitude 80° 18´ E. Krishnapatnam is the southernmost minor port on the 1000 km long coastal line of Andhra Pradesh and it is just 140 km north of the city of Madras by road and about 50 nautical miles by sea

Utilization of gill rakers of lesser devil ray Mobula diabolus - a new fish byproduct

The skin of the rays Dasyatis uarnak and D.jenkinsii are used as an excellent source ofleather. It is expensive due to its high durability.In addition to the skin of the rays, the gill rakers of the lesser devil ray Mobula diabolus is exported in recent years. Hitherto discarded, gill rakers of rays have now gained importance

Occurrence of starry blowfish, Arothron stellatus from Kasimedu Fish Landing Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

The blowfish, locally called as “Pethai” are generally believed to be poisonous. Certain internal organs and sometimes their skin are highly toxic to most animals when eaten, nevertheless the meat of some species is considered a delicacy in Japan (as fugu) and Korea (as bok), when prepared by chefs who know what is safe to eat and in what quantity. Puffer fish is eaten safely worldwide simply by killing and gutting the fish while it is fres

First record of the chimaeroid, Rhinochimaera atlantica at Kasimedu Fisheries Harbour, Chennai

Bumper landings of skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis was observed at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on 28th October 2011, wherein about 42 t were landed by hooks and line

Unusual landings of Blood clam Anadara granosa at Kasimedu Fishing Harbour

The species is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region.Though the true cockles of the genus Cardium are not abundant in Indian waters, the cockle-like ark clam A. granosa forms extensive beds in some areas. The blood clams constitute an important fishery in Kakinada Bay and contributes about 50% of the total molluscan landings there. It is one of the commercially important molluscan resources of India. Though its meat is consumed locally to a limited extent, its demand in the ornamental shell trade is growing. The clam shells are also used in producing lime by burning the whole shells

Unusual landings of cusk eel Monomitopus nigripinnis at Chennai

At Kasimedu Fishing Harbour, Chennai, about 40-50 multiday thangal trawlers operate regularly. Out of this, 3-6 trawlers operated daily for deepsea prawns during the period Feb - April, 2008. Deepsea fishes were landed along with deepsea prawns. An unusually high catch of the cusk eel Monomitopus nigripinnis (Family: Ophidiidae) was recorded during the said period. The deepsea fishing operations were carried out in the south-east direction within a distance of 40-60 km at a depth of 150-200 fathoms. The same species came in 2009 also in low quantities

Sacred Chank, Turbinella (Xancus) pyrum trading at Karaikal Fishing Harbour, Tamil Nadu

The Sacred Chank or ‘Indian conch’, Turbinella pyrum Linnaeus, is a large, thick-shelled gastropod abundant in the shallow waters of Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, between India and Sri Lanka. T. pyrum is commercially exploited from the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay and Chenna

Heavy landing of tranquebar scallop at Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

Scallops belong to family Pectinidae and their shells exhibit an extraordinary diversity of shape and sculpture having high demand in ornamental shell trade industry. They are distinct and unique from other bivalves in that they actively swim by ejecting rapid jet propulsion of water

Occurrence of grooved razor fish Centriscus scutatus Linnaeus, 1758 from Kasimedu Fishing Harbour, Chennai

On regular weekly observation at Chennai Fishing Harbour, during the month of July 2013, occurrence of grooved razor fish, Centriscus scutatus (50 kg) locally called as “Razar meen” belonging to Centricidae family of the order Syngnathiformes landed by trawl was recorded