Biology of Mactra violacea (Gmelin 1791) from Kerala, south-west coast of India

The surf clam Mactra violacea (commonly known as violet trough shell), is distributed all along the sandy beaches of north Kerala. It occurs in the surf zone, upto 75-100 m depth. It is a large clam (upto 80 mm) with high meat content and nutritive value which is collected and consumed by the local people. The biology of the surf clam was studied to understand its growth, edibility and potential for mariculture

Bivalve resources and its exploitation in Malabar

The Malabar region of Kerala (Kozhikode, Kannur, Mahe, Kasargod) has significant bivalve resources contributing to subsistence fisheries of the local population. Clams and oysters form the major resources in the estuaries and backwaters. The clams, Meretrix casta, Meretrix meretrix, Villorita cyprinoides, Paphia malabarica and the edible oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis form the major exploited bivalve resources of commercial significance

Site selection for Mussel Culture

In India, most of the bivalves produced are fished from the natural stocks. At present green mussels are cultivated mainly in the states of Kerala and Karnataka., Production o f bivalves by mariciilture in India is very little compared to the rest o f the world. The major source for collection o f the seeds of the bivalves is through wild collection or through laying of clutch material as in edible oysters

Production and growth of cultchless oyster spat of Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) for single oyster culture

In India, edible oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis) farming is being practised by several farmers in central Kerala employing the rack and ren method in the estuaries and backwaters. However, farmed oysters do not find ready marketability due to the high labour costs involved in handling and shucking. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, Kerala, has developed the hatchery technology for edible oyster spat production, both cultched and cultchless. Nevertheless, these have not been commercialised due to the fact that spat collection from wild is still the most feasible option in oyster farming. The aim of the present study was to produce cultchless spat in the farm site itself and rear it to commercial size for harvesting uniform sized regular, rounded single oysters

Bivalve resources of Moorad Estuary, north Kerala

A bivalve resource survey of Moorad estuary in Badagara District of north Kerala was carried out during February 2004 to assess the bivalve species, their distribution and potential stock. Sampling sites were fixed within five main zones of the Moorad estuary based on the clam fishery activities and local enquiries. The bivalve distribution in a unit area was taken by demarking the area of clam bed with a quadrant. Observations on the area of clam bed, water clarity, depth and temperature were recorded at each site. Surface and bottom water samples were collected and hydrographic parameters like salinity, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen content, productivity, nitrate, phosphate and silicate were recorded. Sediment samples were collected to analyse the grain size and organic content of the clam beds. All samples were analysed within 24 h except sediment samples. Average density of bivalve per square metre area was analysed and the potential stock was estimated for each bivalve species in the estuary

Fishery and biology of Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) in the Moorad estuary, Kerala

Meretrix casta forms an important fishery in the Moorad estuary. The average annual landing for the period 2000-2004 was 426t, the average catch per effort was 573 kg and total effort was 3182. Clams ranging from 28 to 32 mm size contributed to the fishery. M casta is a continuous breeder with two peaks in March-April and August-September. The precentage edibility ranged between 8 and 16. The standing stock biomass in the Moorad estuary was estimated at 2073 t with an average density of 1096 numbers per sq. m. The present status and management options for this important fishery are discussed

Mussel farming initiatives in north Kerala, India: a case of successful adoption of technology, leading to rural livelihood transformation

The Malabar region, extending from Malappuram to Kasargode districts of Northern Kerala, is a well-known mussel fi shery zone of India. Over 7,000 t (80%) of the total green mussel (Perna viridis) catch is exploited annually from this zone. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) developed techniques for mussel culture in 1971 and subsequently fi eld demonstrations in different areas with direct involvement of local rural folk were carried out1. Demonstrations to popularise this technology have led to adoption of this simple farming method particularly in the Malabar region2. The Malabar coast has extensive backwaters and estuaries, which are suitable for mussel farming during the post monsoon months (November to May) when higher saline conditions prevail. Farming activity during this period provides an opportunity for supplementary livelihood and additional income to the coastal rural population

Mussel culture in backwaters of Kasaragod district, Kerala

Mussel culture is increasingly getting Popular in Padanna and Cheruvattur Panchayats In Hosdurg Taluk of Kasaragod district in Kerala, By virtue of the popularisation efforts made by the CMFR Institute. Initially this low cost technology Of farming was transferred to five groups with 15 To 21 farmers at Cheruvattur and Vallyaparamba, Mostly women groups

Management of adhesive capsulitis of shoulder joint with arthroscopic release vs. manipulation under anaesthesia: a comparative study

Background: Shoulder stiffness is a manifestation of various pathologies or clinical scenarios variously described as scapula humeral periarthritis, frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder is characterized by significant restriction of active and passive motion of the shoulder that occurs due to unknown factors. Adhesive capsulitis causes contracted, thickened joint capsule that seemed to be drawn tightly around the humeral head with a relative absence of synovial fluid and chronic inflammatory changes within the subsynovial layer of the capsule. In this study we did a comparison of 30 patients treated with arthroscopic release and manipulation under anesthesia. Methods: There were 30 patients in this study with 15 patients in each group of different age groups. All the patients were studied for a period of one year between July 2021 to July 2022. The functional outcomes were assessed using dash scoring system. Results: in this study of 30 patients with different age groups followed for 12 months and assessed by DASH scoring system. We had excellent results in arthroscopic group with postop dash score standard deviation is 5.87. Conclusions: The arthroscopic capsular release of shoulder joint in adhesive capsulitis was found to have a better functional outcome as compared to the manipulation of shoulder joint under anaesthesia. Currently no treatment protocols are universally effective which needs more and more research and developments for proper treatment strategies. Morbidity with this condition has caused significant loss both economically and psychologically

Length-weight relationships of Meretrix casta in estuaries of north Kerala

The yellow clam Meretrix casta (Chemnitz, 1782) forms significant sustenance level fisheries as it is used for local consumption as well as for the lime industry. Length– weight relationships of M. casta from Chaliyar, Moorad estuaries (Kozhikode district), Kavvai estuary (Kasaragod district) and Mahe estuary, Mahe are reported as they are important inputs in fisheries management decisions