FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

Biotechnology applications in the area of brood stock development, germ plasm conservation, disease and health management of aquatic animals, improved feed formulation, traditional animal breeding, shell fish technology, aquatic environmental quality management, pro-biotics, bio-remediation and bio-processing etc. have a high priority in view of increased aquaculture activities in fish and shell fish production. Orissa possesses a rich aquatic biodiversity and vast inland water resources. However, the total fish production of the State has been showing a declining trend in the past 2-3 years (1998- 2000) as compared to earlier periods (1995-1997). A biotechnological focus is essential for useful research and, above all, sustainable aquaculture development in the State.

Identification of genetic diversity of important aquatic species and genetic conservation and management of wild and captive populations will be useful. Though fish production in natural water bodies is dependent on both biological and environmental factors, genetic background plays a particularly significant role on the overall performance of a specific species. Species with high level of genetic diversity have better prospects in aquaculture in terms of higher growth rate, fecundity and resistance to environmental stress and diseases. Small and localized disturbances of the habitat due to man-made activities may lead to reduction or loss of genetic diversity of a particular species. Therefore, it is essential that valuable populations (with highest and unique genetic diversity) are identified and conservation and management measures taken, before they are lost. The modern biotechnological/ molecular genetic tools offer possibilities of assessing genetic diversity at species, population and intermediate levels.

Stock deterioration in hatchery populations due to poor management and inbreeding may result in retarded growth, reduction in reproductive performance, morphological deformities, disease occurrence and mortality of seeds. DNA marker based linkage maps may play an important role in traditional breeding programmes to help improve the quality and performance of a species in commercial aquaculture. Identification of a large number of polymorphic markers would be useful in genetic diversity assessment and management of wild as well as hatchery stocks. Secondly, these makers can be useful tools for tracking parentage and tagging juveniles during breeding programs. Further, integration of these markers into genetic linkage maps would help in identifying and mapping genes underlying commercially important traits such as body growth, disease resistance, fecundity etc. This will, in the long run, result in the production of heavier and healthier fish through marker assisted selection. The following specific measures are proposed:

i) Genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus identification of commercially important fish and shellfish species.

ii) Genetic improvement of carps, catfish and prawns through selective breeding with reference to body growth and disease resistance.


iii) Information dissemination and distribution concerning improved varieties / strains in order to support hatchery management in aquaculture.

iv) Nutritional biotechnology concerning improved feed formulation in aquaculture.