Bait specificity in Hook and line fishery of River Ganga and associated conservation issues

61-72Recent survey in lower 1,110 km stretch of River Ganga regarding ‘hook and line’ fishery revealed that fishers apply their inherited indigenous knowledge for selection of bait to harvest finfish and shellfish from river water. A total number of 26 different types of baits under 07 categories were recorded. Six varieties of fish species and four types of insects are found to be prevalent for catching carnivorous fishes. Five specially modified indigenous types of bait moulded with fish attractants were also documented. Bait-fish species association in hook and line fishery of river Ganga is discussed. Feeding habits of the target fishes was compared with the type of baits employed. Conservation issues associated with hook and line fishery is highlighted along with possible remedial measures. Different varieties of hook & line fishery which are in operation in river Ganga are briefly described. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) associated with hook & line fishery needs to be properly documented and preserved for developing and encouraging ‘sport fishery’ in River Ganga

Bait specificity in Hook and line fishery of River Ganga and associated conservation issues

Recent survey in lower 1,110 km stretch of River Ganga regarding ‘hook and line’ fishery revealed that fishers apply their inherited indigenous knowledge for selection of bait to harvest finfish and shellfish from river water. A total number of 26 different types of baits under 07 categories were recorded. Six varieties of fish species and four types of insects are found to be prevalent for catching carnivorous fishes. Five specially modified indigenous types of bait moulded with fish attractants were also documented. Bait-fish species association in hook and line fishery of river Ganga is discussed. Feeding habits of the target fishes was compared with the type of baits employed. Conservation issues associated with hook and line fishery is highlighted along with possible remedial measures. Different varieties of hook & line fishery which are in operation in river Ganga are briefly described. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) associated with hook & line fishery needs to be properly documented and preserved for developing and encouraging ‘sport fishery’ in River Ganga

STUDY OF EXTERNAL SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS AND GONADO‑ SOMATIC INDEX FOR DETERMINING THE BREEDING SEASON OF ANABAS TESTUDINEUS

The present study attempts to understand the breeding season of Anabas testudineus (Bloch) collected from natural environment of Mohanpur in West Bengal. The fishes were length range of 100 to 160 mm and in the weight range of 15 to 62 gm. The total length of male Anabas was 107.6 ± 6.8 to 132.0 + 8 mm and in female was 109.4 + 5.68 to 154.5 ± 3.41 mm. The weight of the male fish was 13.6 ± 4.15 to 33.75 ± 4.67 gm and in female was 27.6 + 7.16 to 64.0 + 2.5 gm. The length of the testes '.vas found different and which was varying from 12.06 ± 0.95 mm to 22 7 ± 1.70 mm. The weight of the testes was increasing from 0.134 ± 0.04 gm in March to 1.52 + 0.64 gm in June. The length of the ovary in different body size varied from 13.6 ± 2.04 mm to 35.5 ± 2.38 mm. The weight of the ovary increased from 0.81 ± 0.81 in March to 4.72 ± 0.40 gm in June. The Gonado Somatic Index (GnSI) showed increasing with the approach of breeding season i.e. 0.16 + 0.05 to 2.518 ± 0.21. During the spawning period, length and weight of fish, length of the gonad, weight of the gonad and the GnSI were found gradually increasing upto peak breeding season (May and June)