MUSHROOM

Types Suitable for cultivation

At present 3 mushrooms are being cultivated in India. These are : the white mushroom (Agaricus
bisporus), the paddy-straw mushroom (Volvariella vovvacea) and the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-
caju). Of these, A. bisporus is the most popular and economically sound to grow and is extensively
cultivated throughout the world. However, due to its low temperature requirement, its cultivation is
restricted to the cool climatic areas and to the winter in the plains of Northen India. In summer, the tropical
paddy-straw mushroom is suitable for growing in most parts of India. Even then it is less attractive
commercially owing to very low yield per unit weight of the substrate and an extremely short shelf-life.
But, as a kitchen-garden crop it is preferred because it is very delicious and nutritous.
Oyster mushroom can grow at moderate temperature ranging from 22 0 to 280C. therefore, it is suitable for
most of the places of India. It is a familiar item in the menu of most hotels in Bangalore where it is being
grown commercially.
In north India, the climate conditions prevailing during different seasons can be exploited for growing
mushroom throughout the year. To this a year-wise production schedule is suggested :

Mid-November to Mid-March : Agaricus bisporus

February to Mid-April : Pleurotus sajor-caju
Mid-June to Mid-September : Volvariella volvacea
September to November : Pleurotus sajor-caju
CULTIVATION

1. Selection of Strains
For successful mushroom production, it is necessary for each grower to produce as economically and
efficiently as possible the highest quality of mushrooms. This can be accomplished among other
requirements, by selecting the best strains which should be high yielding , visually attractive, having
desirable flavour, and resistance to adverse climate and pests and diseases. Presently, there are many
strains of white, cream and brown varieties in cultivation. The brown variety is the natural mushroom and
considered to be the most vigorous form. It tolerates and adverse conditions better than the white variety.
A snow white mushroom first appeared amongst a bed of mushroom in the USA and ever since the
variety has dominated the mushroom industry throughout the world, although it has a very high limited
shelf-life. Where growing conditions tend to be on the dry side and humidity cannot be correctly controlled
the brown mushroom should be grown. New superior strains are through selection, hybridization and
induced mutations continually introduced by mushroom research laboratories and spawn makers. In
India, S 11, S 649 and S791 are the good strains available. These strains were originally introduced from
reowned commercial spawn makers, Somycel and darlington. Now these strains are well adapted in the
Indian climate and are very popular with the growers.

2. Maintenance of Strains.
Three methods are known by which strains can be propagate. these are multispore culture, tissue culture
and mycelium transfer. By periodic subculturing of the mycelium on a suitable agar medium, the span
strains can be kept for many years in a fairly good state. However, the frequent subculturing of the strain
may result in its degeneration. Maintenence of strain by multisporous culture is only possible if new
multispore cultures are compared with the original strain before the original multisporous culture would
show much genetic variation. In the tissue culture, small pieces of fruit bodies are cut under sterile
conditions and inoculated on a nutrient medium. Mycelium growing out of these tissue can provide the
starting point for subsequent spawn production. However, it is commonly observed that tissue cultures
often give lower yields than the original cultures. Of these 3 methods, mycelium transfer is most reliable
but it is essential that the performance of the mycelium is continually checked in order to detect any
degeneration-like slow-growing matted mycelium or fluffy mycelium with abnormal growth rate.

Spawn
The propogating material used by the mushroom growers for planting beds is called spawn. The spawn is
equivalent to vegetative seed of higher plant. Quality of spawn is basic for the successful mushroom
cultivation.
At present, the pure culture spawn has been the basis of modern spawn production units all over the
world. The manufacture of the pure culture spawn is done under scientifically controlled conditions which
demand a standard of hygiene as in a hospital operation theatre. Equipment and substrate used for
spawn are autoclaved and filtered air is passed during the inocluation ensures complete freedom from
contamination.
(a) Manure spawn
Both composted horse-dung or synthetic compost may be used. The composted manure is thoroughly
washed to remove such substance in compost which retard growth. The excess water is squeezed out
and moisture content adjusted to 60%. The manure is packed in half-litre milk bottles or heat-resistant
polypropylene bags os suitable size. The bottles or bags plugged with non-absorbant cotton-wool and
sterlized in an autoculave at 1210C for 2 hr or on 2 consecutive days for an hour each. They are then
inoculated with a large bit of agar-containing mycelium and incubated at 22 0-240C in a dark place. the
spawn can be used to inoculate fresh bottles or bags to obtain the second generation spawn.
(b) Grain spawn
Ten kilograms of wheat grains are boiled for 15 min in 15 litres of water and then allowed to soak for
another 15 min without heating. the excess water is drained off and the grains are colled in sieves. Turn
the grains several times with a spoon for quick cooling. The colled grains, are mixed with calcium
carbonate. the gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) and 30 g fo calcium carbonate. The gypsum prevents the grains
from sticking together and calcium carbonate is necessary to correct the pH. the prepared grains are filled
into half-litre milk bottles or polypropylene bags (at the rate of 150-200 g per bottle or bag) and autocalved
for 2 hr at 1210C. After sterlization, the material should have a pH value of 6.5 to 6.7. the bottles are
inoculated with grains spawn or with bits of agar medium colonized with mycelium and incubated at 22 0-
240C in a dark place. the mycelium completely permeates the grains in about 2 weeks. Other grains like
sorghum and pearlmillet can also be used for spawn making.
(c)Perlite spawn
This was developed by Lemke (1971). Perlite is a mineral which expands at temperature more than
10000C. The ingredients, of the spawn are : Perlite (1,450 g), wheat-bran (1,650 g), gypsum (200 g),
calcium carbonate (50 g), and water (665 cc). The gredients are mixed, filled in bottles and sterlized.
Thereafter, the process is the same as for grain spawn. Perlite spawn is easy to disperse and can be
produced at a cheaper cost. This spawn can be stored for a long time.

4. Compost
The white-button mushroom is grown on a select substrate which provides adequate levels of nutrients to
support the crop so that it can successfully complete with other microorganisms. Traditionally, partially-
decomposed horse-manure has been the principal medium for providing the required nutrients in artificial
cultivation of the mushroom and it is only in recent times that other materials have also been used
successfully.
(a) Materials and their functions
(i) Base materials. These includes wheat straw, maize cobs and other similar cellulosic plant wastes with
or without horse-manure. Conventionally wheat straw either alone or mixed with horse-manure is the
most widely used base material. When wheat straw is not available, straws of the other cereals, like rice
of barely may be used. the chief function is to provide cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in bulk. These
materials also provide proper physical structure to the mixture to ensure the necessary aeration for the
build up of microbial population and the subsequent spawn growth in the compost. Rice and barley straws
are quite soft and decompose quickly, leaving only a little fibre for imparting a proper physical structure to
the compost. Therefore the types and quantity of supplement should be discretely utilized at the proper
time.
(ii) Supplements. These are for activating fermentation and can be categorised as :
Animal dungs. These include horse- and chicken-manure, the extremely variable manures in composition.
Nitrogen cantent may vary from 1 to almost 5% . In addition to nutrients, they contribute greatly to the final
bulk density of the compost. cow manure is not considered suitable.
Carbohydrate nutrients. From molasses, wet brewers' grain and malt sprouts, carbohydrates are readily
available.
Concentration meals. These materials are usually used for animal feeds and include wheat or rice bran,
dried brewer's grain, the seed meals of cotton, soya, castor and linseed. In these, both nitrogen and
carbohydrate are available rather slowly. Nitrogen content may vary from 3-12%. The oil and mineral
content of some of these may be significance in mushroom nutrition.
Nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen in chemical fertilizers (ammonium sulphate, calcium ammonium nitrate and
urea) is rapidly released for the quick growth of microbial population.
Materials to correct mineral deficiencies. These are muriate of potash and calcium superphosphate.
Materials to correct greasiness. Gypsum and calcium carbonate serve to precipitate suspended colloidal
materials and neutralize greasiness. 
The choice of materials within each category is largely determined by cost-factors and their availability
locally. Compost prepared from horse-dung mixed with straw are termed as 'natural', whereas they are
called synthetic if the base material is used is mainly straw without bulk animal-manure.

(b)Wheat straw
Straw protected from rain is preferred. One year old straw which is no longer bright yellow and shiny, can
be used only if it is tough. Full-length straw must be chopped to smaller size, about 8-10cm length, or else
the heap would be less compact. Such a heap would not be able to retain moisture and termentation
would be slower. The reverse, if the straw is too short, the heap would be compact and with very little air
space inside allowing anaerobic fermentation. Straw, as is sold in the market for cattle feed is quite
suitable. Composting is a microbial process requiring biological changes in all parts of the straw tissues
and for this, it is essential that the straw tissue be accessible to the appropriate bacteria and fungal
enzymes. Microbial action starts as soon as the straw is wetted and stacked in a heap. If the straw is
short, fragile and damp, all parts of it will become exposed to microorganisms in a short time ans
composting will start early and proceed fairly uniformly. If the straw is long, tough and dry, cut ends and
few broken points may start microbial activity, leaving other parts untouched until later, to result in uneven
composting. To include speed and uniformly, it needs much more mechanical breakage and wetting
treatment at the beginning of the preparation.
Horse-manure
Stable manure with wheat, barley and hay-bedding must be collected regularly from the stables at
intervals not more than a fortnight. Manure that has been collected over a long period of time will not
ferment properly. It should be an even mixture of droppings and straw well-soaked in urine. Care should
be taken that there is no admixture of manure of other animals, garbage or other trash. There should not
be excess water because very wet manure cannot be stored satisfactory.

Composting theory
Composting for mushroom cultivation has 3 basic purposes :
(i) it transforms the horse-manure and straw into the substrate more suitable for the growth of Agaricus
bisporus mycelium than for the many microorganisms whose presence in such a substratum cannot be
avoided; 
(ii) to create a favourable medium for the unfavourable microbial flora which does not inhibit the growth of
A. bisporus. Protein in the countless dead bacteria and other microorganisms is a vital item in mushroom
nutrition; and
(iii) its fermentation temperature is high enough to eliminate most harmful pests and diseases.
Composting is accomplished by pilling up wetted inputs in the heap. When this is done properly the
temperature inside the heap begins to rise due to the aerobic fermentation brought about by bacteria and
other microorganisms. It is not unusual to reach a temperature of 70 0-740C, in the center of the heap on
the third of composting. Because of the high temperatures which build up in composting heaps,
thermophillic and the thermotolerant organisms quickly dominate over the mesophiles. In the early stages,
the natural mesophile flora subside but the population of the thermophiles and thermotolerants increases.
Bacterial population dominates and their rapid increase in numbers coincides with maximum heat
generation--consequently, the temperature build up. This is followed by a relatively prolonged stage
dominated by thermophiles mainly thermophilic actinomycetes. As the fermenting organisms require both
water and oxygen, the heap is watered frequently and aerated by 'turning'. If there is unsufficient
moisture, the microorganisms require cannot function properly. If there is an excess of moisture much
oxygen is excluded and anaerobic fermentation sets in resulting in a soggy and stinking compost. In such
a compost mushroom spawn will not grow.
During composting, ammonia gas is liberated and some of it is lost to atmosphere, but some is consumed
by bacteria to produce nitrogenous intermediates which are eventually converted into protein by another
kind of bacteria. Composting more than necessary results in loss of valuable nitrogen and cellulose.

(e) Formulations
There is no standard pattern in the compost fromulations. However, 3 basic formulations for preparing
compost are in use. The horsedung compost is all horse-manure. Synthetic compost is mainly a
combination of straw, carbohydrate source (wheat bran), chicken litter and chemical fertilizer. The main
objective of computing the formulation being to achieve some of the balance between carbon and
nitrogen. The nitrogen level of compost at stacking is adjusted to 1.5% of the dry matter and the carbon-
nitrogen ratio at the same time is 25-30 : 1. the compost should have 2.0-2.3% N at the completion of the
process, which corresponds to 17:1, C-N ratio.
There are so many variations in compost formulations. The basis of primarily the cost of availability of the
ingredients and suitable supplements in the particular growing states. Some recommended formulae are :
(i) Natural compost
Basic formula (IARI)

  (in kg)
Horsedung 1,000
Wheat straw (chopped) 350
Urea 3
Gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate) 30-40

Urea can be replaced with 100 to 110 kg of poultry manure Hayes and Randle (1969) recommended :

  (in kg)
Horsedung 1,016
Chicken manure 101.6
Molasses 38.1
Cotton-seed meal 15.24
Gypsum 15

Synthetic compost Formulated at IARI, New Delhi

  (in kg)
Wheat straw (chopped) 1,000
Wheat bran 80
Urea 10
Ammonium sulphate or calcium ammoinum nitrate 10
Gypsum 40-50

Optional supplements. Molasses 40 kg or 20 kg molasses + 20 kg cotton seed or groundnut+seed meal;

chicken manure 100-150 kg. Molasses should be diluted 20 times with water. Oilseed-meal cakes may be
added during the first turning. Poultry-manure is added at the beginning of composting.
Formulated by schisler (1974)

  (in kg)
Hay or Wheat straw 68
Corn cobs (crushed) 68
Brewer's grain 13.6
Poultry manure 11.33
Urea 1.18
Potash 1.63
Gypsum 4.5

Formulated by Takahashi (1975) in Japan

  (in kg)
Rice straw 1,000
Urea 5
Calcium cyanide 10
Ammonium sulphate 13
Calcium carbonate 25
Calcium superphosphate 30

Formulated by Shin et al. (1971) in Korea

  (in kg)
Rice straw 1,000
Chicken manure 100
Urea 12-15
Gypsum 20
Formulated by Ho (1978) in Taiwan
  (in kg)
Rice straw 1,000
Ammonium sulphate 18
Urea 4.50
Calcium superphosphate 18
Calcium carbonate 27

(f) Advantages of synthetic compost

Synthetic compost is comparable with natural compost because it is capable of producing perfectly
normal yields, sometimes even superior yields because of better aeration within the bed. However, horse-
manure compost because it is cheaper is still the most-favoured substrate with the growing units in
Europe and America. The main drawback in horse-manure is that its quality varies and this results in
inconsistent yields. The natural compost is not pasteurized as per requirements, will tend to build up
temperature within the bed which is detrimental to spawn run; also pests and diseases become active in
such a compost. With the scarcity of horsedung, the synthetic compost is bocoming increasingly popular
in many mushroom-growing countries, especially in the far-East. Synthetic compost is more uniform in
quality and texture and supports better spawn run, since the bed is bettet aerated. However, such a
compost tends to dry up rather quickly when the atmosphere turns dry. The actual time of composting a
synthetic compost is about a week longer than that required for composting horse-manure in the normal
way by the long method.

(g) Method of composting

There are two methods for preparing mushroom compost, the long and short method. The 'long method'
is considered primitive and unsuitable for commercial cultivation. The 'short method' is quick and a
definite advance over the earlier technology. However, the 'long method' is still relevant for the growers in
India who cannot afford the expensive technology required for the short method.
Composting yard. The compost should be prepared near the growing site, on clean concrete or pucca
floor at a higher level to prevent the run-off water collecting near the heap. Composting is usually done in
the open, but it has to be protected from rain, by covering it with polythylene sheet. It can also be carried
out in a shed with open sides to shelter it from rain.

(h) Composting procedure by long method 

(i) Wetting the straw. The first step in the composting process is to wet straw. Fresh dry straw resists
water absorption, and unless it is persuaded to absorp water, it will not soften; and unless it softens it will
not take more water later. In practice, the straw is spread thinly over the entire floor of the composting
yard. It is then gradually wetted by sprinkling water, gently, till the straw takes no more water. The straw is
then turned for even wetting. Again water is sprinkled till it can absorb no more. At this stage, the water
content is 75% and for the composts this point is reached when the compost is just saturated and before
any run-off occurs. One ton of dry straw will requirealmost 5,000 litres of water to bring it into saturation.
(ii) Mixing and heaping. After the straw is wetted, the supplements excluding the gypsum are uniformally
scattered over the straw and mixed. Some growers prefer to mix half the supplements at the beginning of
composting, and the remaining half after the first turn. It is not known whether this practice is in any way
beneficial. After mixing, the mixture is finally stacked in a heap. A heap one meter high, one meter wide
and of indefinite length has been found to be suitable for Delhi during September-October. The straw can
be stacked manually or with a stack mould. The straw should be firmly but not compactly compressed into
the mould. The dimensions of the heap can be adjusted according to the size of straw and air
temperature. The principle is that longer the straw, bigger the heap. If composting is done in the cooler
months when the temperature ranges between 100 and 180C, a small heap would be unable to retain heat
and moisture and the composting would be unsatisfactory. During the hot weather generally and in
particular in tropical and sub-tropical regions, the temperature difference between inside of the compost
and the surrounding air is too small to produce chimney-effect necessary for compost ventilation. Core
ventilation does not take place. as a rule undesirable acid zones occur inside the compost. In such cases,
relatively narrow heaps would be more suitable.
(iii) Turning schedule. It is important to ensure that the heap attains sufficiently high temperatures (70 0-
750C) to bring about the correct composting, otherwise the compost will lack the necessary nutritive value
so essential for a good crop. Care must also be taken to see that overcomposting does not take place.
Open the heap and make it a number of times and for this purpose, the time schedule is suggested is :

Day zero Wet, mix the stack the heap

4th day First turning
8th day Second turning
12th day Third turning
16th day Fourth turning
20th day Final turning and filling of the trays

Nitrogeneous supplements and carbohydrates are mixed on day zero. Gypsum is usually mixed at the
third and forth turning in quantities. During the final turning, 40 ml Malathion diluted in 20 litres of water is
sprinkled. any other available insecticide, like DDT, BHC or Lindane can also be used. The above
schedule has been worked out on the basis of author's experience and can be altered if the conditions
within the heap so require. The guiding principle is that the heap should be opened when the temperature
within rises no further. For horsedung manure, the final turning is given is given on day rather than on day
20.
(i) Composting by short method
The method which was developed by Sinden and Hauser (1950) constitutes a general advance in
controlled composting. The short method consists of two phases : phase I and phase II. The procedure
for phase I is similar to the initial stages of the long method except, thatturnings are given sooner, the first
on day 3, the second on day 6 and the third day on 9 or 10 when gypsum is added. The compost is now
ready for the phase II or the peak heating.This is recognised as the microbial-composting stage and is an
integral part of the total composting process. One aspect of the phase II is to promote such conditions in
which the pasteurization of the compost. BY heating the compost and the surrounding air, for a brief
periodof temperatures of about 600C, virtually all important parasites and pathogens can be eliminated.
The culture of mushroom is gaining popularity in the Philippines.
Mushroom is a delicacy and is really accepted as vegetable. Its present
cultivation in this country is limited, perhaps due to insufficiency of
planting materials and the limited local knowledge about its culture.

Mushroom growing requires little space and time and farmers can make
use of their rice straws following harvesting. Mushroom can be grown the
whole year round provided a good storage of rice straw is prepared.

This article illustrates the fundamental techniques involved in the culture

of banana or rice straw type of mushroom, Volvariolla volvacoa. The
vegetable and Legume Crops Section of the Bureau of Plant Industry is
now producing mushroom spawn in abundance.

Materials and Methods – I

Dry rice straws and banana leaves are the most common types of
bleeding materials. However, other materials like cotton wastes, jute
sacks, corn stalks, water hyacinth, sugar baggasse and abaca waste
materials may also be used for bedding materials.

Sufficient water supply and soaking tank or any similar container are
used. Plastic sheet of gauge No.6, empty cement bags and sacks are
used to cover the beds.

Procedures

1. Gather long, clean and well dried rice straws and banana leaves,
preferably those that are still standing in the field. Avoid using old
and contaminated bedding materials.

1. Bundle the bedding materials 6-8 inches in diameter. If rice

straws are used, arrange butt ends together.
2. Cut the bundle materials 1.5 to 2 ft. long.
3. Soak the bundled materials in water for at least 3 hours but not
more than 10 hours until enough moisture is absorbed by the
materials.
4. Foundation as support for the bed.
5. Set the soaked-bundled materials, closely knit the together,
evenly and compactly.
 6. Water the bed well with the urea or ammonium sulfate at rate of
1-2 tbsp. per gallon of water. Add sugar at the rate of 33 grams
per gallon of water to improve the yield of mushrooms.
7. Press the layer to level of surface. Stop watering when the water
starts to drip off the bed.
8. Insert thumb-size spawns around the bed, four (4) inches from
along the side and four (4) inches apart from each other. Never
plant spawn at the middle of the bed.
9. Set the second layer of straw on the top of the first layer. Put the
butt ends together in two opposite direction. Water and press
down. Follow the same procedure until a six-layer bed is attained.
10. Cover the entire bed with plastic sheet gauges No. 6 or
cement bags or sacks for seven days after which it is removed.

Harvesting

The growth of mushrooms on the bed come in flushes. With adequate

maintenance and care, the first flush usually comes and flushes from 13
to 15 days following seeding. When a flush is on watering must be
avoided. Watering is resumed when the flush is over. Harvesting is done
in the following manner:

1. Harvest the whole mushroom including the stump. Don?t leave

any stump in the bed as this would rot and in rotting the adjacent
mushroom may be affected.
2. As much as possible care must be taken not to disturb the small
buttons.
3. Mushrooms in the button stage of growth are more succulent,
hence they are better preferred than the fully opened ones.
4. Harvested mushroom may be placed in trays or in kaings.

Care in the Mushroom Bed

1. When the bed is made, it may be well to cover it with plastic

sheet, gunny sack or any suitable materials to protect it from the
drying effect of the wind and to keep it humid.
2. After the removal of the plastic sheet don?t water the bed as the
bed is still wet.
3. Watering should be done only in amounts, which would keep the
surface moist and its environs humid.
4. Watering may be done using a sprinkler, passing same over the
bed and along the sides. Avoid soaking the bed as this condition
 is equally harmful to the proper development of the mushrooms
as insufficient watering.
5. When the mushroom buttons start to form, water must be
stopped until the flush is over.
6. Resume watering when the flush is over to coax another flush to
come.
Measurement of productivity
Several methods are used in measurement of productivity or rate of production. (see separate
Practicals Handout on the topic).
Harvest method: This is the simplest and measuring the productivity of a water body such as
fish pond by hervest at the end of the season. The productivity given is secondary productivity
and indicates net productivity and also quite often fish production given is in net weight giving
productivity value.
8.1 Oxygen measurement method:
Primary productivity can be measured from the amount of oxygen consumed by a volume of
water in a fixed period of time; water for which productivity is to be determined is enclosed in
sealed white and dark bottles (bottle painted dark so light would not enter). Do (dissolved
oxygen) measurement of water is made at the beginning of the immersion period. The two
bottles are then immersed in the water body concerned at the level from which the water is
taken. The phytoplankton and other elements in the water produce oxygen in the water bottle,
but some oxygen disappears due to respiration. The latter is measured from the readings of
dark bottle, where only respiration takes place. Thus from the oxygen produced by
photosynthesis of enclosed organism (representing a sample of the water body) can be known.
However this oxygen production indicates net primary productivity only. From the DO difference
in dark botfle oxygen consumed by the enclosed organisms can be obtained and when this
respiration value is added to the oxygen production in the white bottle, a value forgross primary
productivity is obtained.
8.2 Diel method:
Estimates of primary productivity can also be made from diel changes in oxygen, considering
the day as the light bottle and night as the dark bottle. The increase in DO in the day time is net
primary production and the decrease in the night is half the diel respiration. This can be added
on to the day-time gain to obtain daily gross photosynthesis. This volume should normally be
corrected for the loss or gain in oxygen due to concentration gradient over the day.
8.3 C14 method:
The most accurate method for determining productivity is the method of using radioactive
carbon (C14) added as carbonate. Labelled carbonate is added into a bottle containing water
with the phytoplankton and other organisms and after a short period of time the plankton is
separated, dried and planchetted and the radioactive carbon fixed can be measured from the
radioactive counts made. The productivity measured thus is net primary productivity as the
carbon fixed in the tissues only are measured here.
In selecting a water body for aquaculture measurement of primary productivity and estimation of
potential yield would be of great assistance in planning the culture activity. This would be
specially done while evaluating water bodies (natural or man-made) for stocking(in extensive
culture) and also for cage and enclosure culture.
 Description 

the planet's 4th largest continent, includes (12)

South America, 

independent countries and (3) major territories; the Falkland

Islands, Galapagos Islands and French Guiana. 

It contains the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela;

the largest river (by volume), the Amazon River; the longest
mountain range, the Andes; the driest place on earth, the Atacama
Desert; the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest; the highest
capital city, La Paz, Bolivia; the highest commercially navigable
lake in the world, Lake Titicaca; and, excluding research stations in
Antarctica, the world's southernmost permanently inhabited
community, Puerto Toro, Chile. 

Details 

 
 Continent Size:

17,819,000 sq km 
6,879,000 sq miles 

 Percent of Earth's Land:  

12% 

 
 Population:

379,500,000 (2009 estimate) 

 
 Highest Point:

Cerro Aconcagua - Andes Mountains, Argentina - 22,833 ft

(6,959m) 
 Lowest Point: 
Peninsula Valdes - Argentina coastline -151 ft (-40m) below sea
level 
Subject: ars net syllabus

                                 III. FISHERIES SCIENCES

                             Part A : (GENERAL KNOWLEDGE)
Fisheries resources of world and India; Importance of commercial fishery in
India and its impact
on rural economy; Fisheries and aquaculture related developmental
programmes in India;
Domestic and export marketing of fish and fishery products, trends, channels,
mechanisms, trade
and non-trade barriers; Contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to the food,
income, GDP and
livelihood securities; Common property resource management in fisheries and
aquaculture;
Protection of national biodiversity; Principles of fish genetics – Mendelian
genetics, laws of
inheritance, linkage and mutation; Fish biotechnology – structure of DNA and
its replication,
DNA repair, genetic code and protein synthesis, transgenics and their
implications; Common fish
diseases; Feeding behavior of fish, fish food organisms - phytoplankton and
zooplankton, feed
management in aquaculture; Institutional finance in fisheries; Fisheries
extension methods and
approaches.
                                              Part B:
                                  09. FISHERIES SCIENCE
Global commercial fisheries resources, production trends; Taxonomy and
biology of
commercially important fish, food and feeding habits, age and growth,
mortality, maximum
sustainable yield; Monitoring, control and vessel surveillance systems;
Aquaculture production
at global and national level, major cultivable organisms and their taxonomy,
biology and
behavior; Hatchery technology and growout systems; Aquaculture engineering
and farm design;
Water and soil quality management; Non-food aquaculture - culture and
breeding of ornamental
fishes of commercial importance, seaweed and pearl culture; Aquatic
environment management
– role of probiotics, bioremediation, pollution and its control; Aquatic
microbiology – diseases
caused by bacteria, virus and fungi, isolation and identification of causative
agents, treatment and
control; Fish immunology; Fisheries management; Fishing practices; Fishery
economics and
marketing; Technology transfer; Climate change and its impact on fisheries and
livelihood; Fish
Genetics - physical basis of heredity; Mendelian principles – scope and
limitations, genetic
variation - causes and measurement, gametogenesis and mechanisms of sex
determination;
biotechnology - DNA structure and organization of chromosomes in eukaryotes,
prokaryotes and
viruses, cell organelles, DNA replication; Fish nutrition and biochemistry -
nutrients, digestive
enzymes, digestibility, types of feed, feeding rate, energetics, feed and feeding
equipment,
growth and reproductive hormones, glycolytic and Kreb’s cycle.
                                                                                                   5
               10. FISH HARVEST AND POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY
Craft and gear technology in fisheries; Fish catching methods; Code of Conduct
for Responsible
Fisheries; Fish processing technology – fish handling, grading, chilling,
freezing, canning and
packaging; Machinery for handling and processing; Principles and methods of
fish preservation,
sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for maintenance of quality; Quality
management of fish
and fishery products; Transportation and marketing; Microbial contamination
of fish and
methods of prevention; Fish biochemistry – major and minor constituents of
fish – proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids and fatty acid profiles, vitamins and minerals, post
-mortem changes in
fish; National and international organizations for food standards; Processing
engineering,
refrigeration cycle, cold store, processing unit construction and management;
Water budgeting;
Waste management.
What is the state of fishery resources?
The source document for this Digest states:

Capture fisheries by area (part A)

Capture fisheries by region (part B)

State of marine stocks

The global state of exploitation of the world marine fishery resources has

tended to vary, with some trends in the observed exploitation categories (Figure
20). While the proportion of underexploited or moderately
exploited stocks declined linearly from 40 percent in the mid-1970s to 20
percent in 2007, the proportion of fully exploited stocks remained steady at
about 50 percent. The proportion of overexploited, depleted or recovering
stocks appears to have stabilized at between 25 and 30 percent since the mid-
1990s (Figure 21). The overall examination of the state of stocks and groups of
stocks for which information is available confirms that the proportions of
overexploited, depleted and recovering stocks have remained relatively stable in
the last 10–15 years, after the noticeable increasing trends observed in the
1970s and 1980s. It is estimated that, in 2007, about one-fifth of the stock
groups monitored by FAO were underexploited (2 percent) or moderately
exploited (18 percent) and could perhaps produce more. Slightly more than half
of the stocks (52 percent) were fully exploited and, therefore, producing catches
at or close to their maximumsustainable limits, with no room for further
expansion. The other 28 percent were either overexploited (19 percent),
depleted (8 percent) or recovering from depletion (1 percent) and, thus, yielding
less than their maximum potential owing to excess fishing pressure in the past,
with no possibilities in the short or medium term of further expansion and with
an increased risk of further declines and a need for rebuilding.
Most of the stocks of the top ten species, which account in total for about 30
percent of the world marine capture fisheries production in terms of quantity
(Figure 6 on page 12), are fully exploited or overexploited and, therefore, cannot
be expected to produce major increases in catches. This is the case
for: anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), with two main stocks in the Southeast
Pacific that are fully exploited and overexploited; Alaska pollock(Theragra
chalcogramma), which is fully exploited in the North Pacific; blue
whiting(Micromesistius poutassou), which is fully exploited in the Northeast
Atlantic; Atlanticherring (Clupea harengus), with several stocks that are fully
exploited, some that are depleted and some that are underexploited because of
market conditions; Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus), which is fully
exploited in the Northeast Pacific; Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi),
which is fully exploited and overexploited in the Southeast Pacific; and
yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), which is fully exploited in the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans and probably moderately to fully exploited in the Indian Ocean.
Some stocks of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) are fully exploited while
some are still reported as moderately exploited, particularly in the Pacific and
Indian Oceans, where they could offer some limited possibilities for further
expansion of fisheries production. However, this may not be desirable as it is
nearly impossible to increase skipjack catches without negatively affecting
bigeye and yellowfin tunas. Some limited possibilities for expansion are also
offered by a few stocks of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), which are
moderately exploited in the Eastern Pacific, while other stocks are already fully
exploited. The largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) is considered
overexploited in the main fishing area in the Northwest Pacific, but its state of
exploitation is unknown elsewhere.

The percentage of stocks fully exploited, overexploited or depleted varies greatly

by area. The major fishing areas with the highest proportions (71−80 percent)
of fully exploited stocks are the Northeast Atlantic, Western Indian Ocean and
Northwest Pacific. The proportion of overexploited, depleted and recovering
stocks varies between 20 and 52 percent in all areas except in the Northwest
Pacific, Western Central Pacific and Eastern Central Pacific, where it is 10
percent or less. Relatively high proportions (20 percent or more) of
underexploited or moderately exploited stocks can be found in the Eastern
Indian Ocean, Western Central Pacific, Eastern Central Pacific, Southwest
Pacific and Southern Ocean, and for some species of tunas.

Four FAO major fishing areas account for more than 10 percent each and
collectively produced about 66 percent of the world marine catches in 2006.
The Northwest Pacific is the most productive, with a total catch of 21.6
million tonnes (26 percent of total marine catches), followed by the Southeast
Pacific, with a total catch of 12.0 million tonnes (15 percent), the Western
Central Pacific with 11.2 million tonnes (14 percent) and the Northeast
Atlantic, with 9.1 million tonnes (11 percent).
In the Northwest Pacific, small pelagics are the most abundant category, with
the Japanese anchovy providing large catches, although there were signs of
decline in 2005 and 2006 as compared with catches of more than 2
million tonnes in 2003. Other important contributors to the total catch are
the largehead hairtail, considered overexploited, and the Alaska pollock and
chub mackerel, both considered fully exploited.Squids, cuttlefish and
octopuses are important species yielding 1.4 million tonnes.

In the Southeast Pacific, total catches have oscillated around 12

million tonnes in the last five years. There has been no major change in the
status of stocks since 2004. The stock of anchoveta has recovered from the
severe El Niño event of 1997–98 and is considered fully exploited in most of the
area. Two other important pelagic stocks, the Chilean jackmackerel and in
particular the South American pilchard, remain in a decadal cycle of natural
low abundance, producing a fraction of the record catches observed between
the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. The stocks of South Pacific hake remain under
heavy fishing pressure with no sign of recovery.

The Western Central Pacific is the most productive fishing area of the tropical
regions, with total catches up about 3 percent on 2004. Tunas and tuna-
like species make up about 24 percent of the total for this fishing area, with
most species assessed as either fully exploited or moderately to fully exploited.
The status of other species groups is highly uncertain. This region is highly
diverse, its fisheries are mostly multispecies, and detailed data for reliable
assessments are usually not available for most stocks. Analysis of survey
information for some countries in the region (Malaysia, the Philippines,
Thailand and Viet Nam) have shown considerable degradation and overfishing
of coastal stocks, most dramatically in the Gulf of Thailand and along the east
coast of Malaysia.

In the Northeast Atlantic, catches of blue whiting have stabilized at about 2

million tonnesper year since 2003, and the stock is considered fully exploited.
Fishing mortality has been reduced in cod, sole and plaice. Cod remains
depleted in the North Sea and in the Faeroes, but other stocks are healthier
and considered fully exploited. Several stocks ofhaddock have shown
spectacular increases in biomass since 2000, fisheries have grown and most
stocks are now considered fully exploited. Saithe stocks have also increased
since 2000. Some sand eel and capelin stocks have become depleted, while
fishing for shrimp seems to have ceased in some areas.

A record high has been reached in total landings in the Eastern Indian Ocean,
with a total of 5.8 million tonnes, a 5-percent increase compared with 2004.
The category “marine fishes non-identified”, representing 50 percent of the total
catches in the area, accounts for most of this increase. “Miscellaneous pelagic
fishes” (including Indian mackerels and various carangids) made up 11 percent
of the catches and “miscellaneous coastal fishes” (croakers, ponyfishes, sea
catfishes, etc.) 10 percent. Tuna catches in 2006 were slightly below the six-
year (2000–05) average of 450 000 tonnes. While catches of most groups show
either a rising trend or are fluctuating slightly with no clear trend, there are
indications that parts of this fishing area could be overfished, with the
situation being aggravated by increasing stress from pollution, sedimentation,
modified river runoffs and intensive coastal aquaculture.

There have been several changes in the status of the stocks in the Southeast
Atlantic since the last full assessment made in 2004. The
important hake resources remain fully exploited to overexploited although
there are signs of some recovery in the deepwater hake stock (Merluccius
paradoxus) off South Africa. The status of the coastal fishes remains fully
exploited or depleted. A significant change concerns the Southern African
pilchard, which was at a very high biomass and estimated to be fully exploited
in 2004, but which now, under unfavourable environmental conditions, has
declined considerably in abundance and is overexploited throughout the
region. In contrast, the status of Southern African anchovy has improved from
fully exploited to fully to moderately exploited, and Whitehead’s
round herring is underexploited to moderately exploited. The condition of Cape
horse mackerel has deteriorated, particularly off Namibia, where it is currently
overexploited. The condition of the Perlemoen abalone stock has deteriorated,
driven heavily by illegal fishing, and it is currently overfished and probably
depleted. 

5. What is the amount of traded fishery

products?
 5.1 What are the general trends in trade?
 5.2 How does this trade affect the economy of various countries?
 5.3 What are the markets for specific types of fish products?

5.1 What are the general trends in trade?

The source document for this Digest states:
Production and exports

Exports by commodity group

Fish trade and commodities

In addition to its contribution to economic activity, employment and in

generating foreign exchange, trade in fish and fishery products plays an
important role in improving food security and contributes to fish products
meeting nutritional needs. Fish and fishery products are highly traded with
more than 37 percent (live weight equivalent) of totalproduction entering
international trade as various food and feed products (Figure 30). A specific
feature of the trade in fish is the wide range of product types and participants.
In 2006, 194 countries reported exports of fish and fishery products. World
exports of fish and fishery products reached US$85.9 billion in 2006. This
represented an increase of 9.6 percent on 2005 and of 62.7 percent on 1996
(Figure 31). Export value expanded at an average annual rate of 5 percent in
the period 1996–2006. In real terms (adjusted for inflation), exports of fish and
fishery products increased by 32.1 percent in the period 2000–06, by 26.6
percent in 1996–2006 and by 103.9 percent between 1986 and 2006. In terms
of quantity (live weight equivalent), exports peaked at 56 million tonnes in
2005, with a growth of 28 percent since 1995 and of 104 percent since 1985.
In 2006, exports decreased by 4 percent to 54 million tonnes. However, this
decrease was due to reduced production and trade in fishmeal. In fact, exports
of fish for human consumption rose a further 5 percent compared with the
previous year and have increased by 57 percent since 1996. Available data for
2007 indicate further strong growth to about US$92 billion. However, some
weakening in demand was registered in late 2007 and early 2008 as turmoil in
the financial sector started to affect consumer confidence in major markets.
This is expected to influence discretionary spending and sales of higher-value
items in the short term. However, the long-term trend for trade in fish is
positive, with a rising share of production from both developed and developing
countries reaching international markets.

The growing exports of the last few years reflect the increase in consumption of
fish and fishery products not only in the EU and the United States of America
but in many other regions of the world, including Asia (with the notable
exception of Japan). Furthermore, progress in processing, packaging, handling
and transportation has enabled more rapid and efficient trade. Rising trade
quantities (except for fishmeal) and values reflect the increasing globalization of
the fisheries value chain, with the outsourcing of processing to other countries.
At the same time, the growth of international and global distribution channels
through large retailers has furthered this development.

In 2006, increased fishery exports coincided with an impressive global trade

expansion, caused mainly by the increase in global economic activity. In its
World Trade Report 2007, WTO indicated that all major regions recorded gross
domestic product (GDP) growth outpacing population growth and that global
GDP growth had accelerated to 3.7 percent, the second-best performance since
200018. According to the UN Comtrade database, real merchandise export
growth grew by 13.4 percent in 2006 compared with 2005, and well above the
average annual rate of 8.7 percent in 1996–2006. An important factor was also
the influence exerted by price movements and exchange rates on trade flows, in
particular as a consequence of the weaker US dollar (which is used to
denominate many commodity prices) and the marked appreciation of several
currencies (especially European ones) against it. Since 2004, prices of various
agricultural commodities (particularly of basic foods) have rebounded after a
prolonged period of decline. They rose sharply in 2006, and some have been
rising at an even faster pace since then. High feed prices have also raised costs
for animal production and resulted in an increase in livestock prices. A series
of long- and short-term factors have contributed to this growth. They include
the tightening in own supplies, the intertwining of global markets, exchange
rates, rising crude oil prices and freight rates. Prices of fishery products
followed the general upward trend of all food prices in the course of 2007 and
early 2008. This is the first time in decades that real prices of fish have been
rising. Prices for species from capture fisheries are increasing more than those
of farmed species because of the larger impact from higher energy prices on
fishing vessel operations than on farmed species. However, aquaculture is also
experiencing higher costs, in particular for feed. For more information on this
issue, see Box 14 (page 160).

Table 8 shows the top ten exporters and importers of fish and fishery products
in 1996 and 2006. Since 2002, China has been the world’s largest exporter of
fish and fishery products. In the last few years, it has further consolidated its
leading position. In 2006, its exports reached US$9.0 billion, and they grew
further to US$9.3 billion in 2007. Despite this, fishery exports represented only
1 percent of its total merchandise exports in 2006 and 2007. China’s fishery
exports have increased remarkably since the early 1990s. This increase is
linked to its growing fishery production, as well as the expansion of its fish-
processing industry, reflecting competitive labour and production costs. In
addition to exports from domestic fisheries production, China also exports
reprocessed imported raw material, adding considerable value in the process.
China has experienced a significant increase in its fishery imports in the past
decade. In 2006, it was the sixth-largest importer with US$4.1 billion, and
imports reached US$4.5 billion in 2007. This growth has been particularly
noticeable since the country’s accession to the WTO in late 2001, as a
consequence of which it lowered import duties, including those on fish and
fishery products. The growth in imports is partly a result of the above-
mentioned imports by China’s processors of raw material for reprocessing and
export. However, it also reflects China’s growing domestic consumption
ofspecies, mainly of high value, that are not available from local sources.

Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,

2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 45-48

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5.2 How does this trade affect the economy of

various countries?
The source document for this Digest states:

In addition to China, other developing countries play a major role in

the fisheryindustry. In 2006, 79 percent of world fishery production took place
in developing countries. Their exports represented 49 percent (US$42.5 billion)
of world exports of fish and fishery products in value terms and 59 percent
(31.6 million tonnes in live weight equivalent) in terms of quantity. An
important share of their exports consisted of fishmeal (35 percent by quantity,
but only 5 percent by value). In 2006, in terms of quantity, developing
countries contributed 70 percent of world non-food fishery exports. Developing
countries have also significantly increased their share of the quantity of fish
exports destined for human consumption, from 43 percent in 1996 to 53
percent in 2006. The fishery industries of developing countries rely heavily on
the markets of developed countries, not only as outlets for their exports, but
also as suppliers of their imports for local consumption (mainly low-priced,
small pelagics as well as high-value fishery species for emerging economies) or
for their processing industries. In 2006, in value terms, 40 percent of the
imports of fish and fishery products by developing countries originated from
developed countries. In fact, owing to the above-mentionedphenomenon of
outsourcing, several developing countries are importing an increasing quantity
of raw material for further processing and re-export to developed countries.
Fishery exports of developing countries are gradually evolving from raw
material for the processing industry in developed countries to value-added
products and also high-value live fish. In 2006, in value terms, 75 percent of
the fishery exports of developing countries were destined for developed
countries. A share of these exports consisted of processed fishery products
prepared using imported fish. Fishmeal was the only product for which exports
from developing countries to other developing countries (58 percent of the total)
were more important than exports to developed countries. This is mainly due to
the significantaquaculture production in many developing countries and the
resulting need for feed.

Exports by developing countries

Fishery net exports (i.e. the total value of their exports less the total value of
their imports) continue to be of vital importance to the economies of many
developing countries (Figure 32). They have increased significantly in recent
decades, growing from US$1.8 billion in 1976 to US$7.2 billion in 1984, to
US$16.7 billion in 1996 and reaching US$24.6 billion in 2006. The low-income
food-deficit countries (LIFDCs) play an active and growing role in the trade in
fish and fishery products. In 1976, their exports accounted for 10 percent of
the total value of fishery exports. This share expanded to 12 percent in 1986,
17 percent in 1996 and 20 percent in 2006, when their fishery exports were
US$17.2billion and their fishery net export revenues were an estimated
US$10.7 billion.

In 2006, world fish imports19 reached a new record high of US$89.6 billion, an

increase of 10 percent on the previous year, and of 57 percent since 1996.
Preliminary data suggest that world imports of fish and fishery products
totalled about US$96 billion in 2007. All major importing markets, except
Japan, further increased the value of their imports of fish and fishery products,
with the EU experiencing a significant 12-percent rise. Japan, the United
States of America and the EU are the major markets, with a total share of 72
percent of the total import value in 2006. In total, developed countries
accounted for 80 percent of imports in terms of value but only 62 percent in
terms of quantity (live weight equivalent), indicating the higher unit value of
products imported by developed countries. With stagnant domestic fishery
production and growing demand, developed markets have to rely on imports
and/or on aquaculture to cover a growing share of internal consumption. This
is also the main reason why import tariffs in developed countries are so low
and, albeit with a few exceptions (such as for some value-added products), do
not represent any significant barrier to increased trade. As a result, in recent
decades, fishery products from developing countries have been able to gain
increased access to developed-country markets without facing prohibitive
custom duties. In 2006, about 50 percent of the import value of developed
countries originated from developing countries. At present, rather than import
tariffs, the principal barrier to increased exports from developing countries
(beyond the physical availability of product) is the lack of ability to adhere to
quality- and safety-related import requirements. Furthermore, they are also
hindered by importing countries’ increasing requirements
that production processes respect animal health, environmental standards and
social concerns.

Not only is the emerging dominance of large retail and restaurant chains in
seafood distribution and sales shifting negotiating power towards the final
stages in the value chain, retailers are also increasingly imposing private- or
market-based standards and labels on developing- country exports. This is
making it more difficult for small-scale fish producers to enter international
markets and distribution channels.

Trade flows (part A)

Trade flows (part B)

Imports and exports for different regions

The maps in Figure 33 indicate trade flows of fish and fisheryproducts by

continent for the period 2004–06. However, the overall picture presented by
these maps is not complete as information is not available for all countries. For
example, about one-third of African countries did not report their trade in
fishery products by country of origin or destination. However, the quantity of
data available is sufficient to establish general trends. The Latin America and
the Caribbean region holds a strong positive net fishery exporter position, as do
the Oceania regions and the developing countries of Asia. Africa has been a net
exporter since 1985, when the factory ships of the Soviet Union and Eastern
Europe either stopped fishing or ceased landing massive quantities of
inexpensive frozen pelagic fish in West Africa. Europe, Japan and North
America are characterized by a fishery trade deficit (Figure 34).

In 2006, 97 countries were net exporters of fish and fisheryproducts. In recent

decades, there has been a tendency towards increased intensity of fishery trade
within regions. Most developed countries trade more with other developed
countries than with developing countries despite a growing share of fish
consumption being covered by imports from developing countries. In 2006,
some 85 percent (in value terms) of fishery exports from developed countries
were destined to other developed countries, and about 50 percent of developed-
country fishery imports originated in other developed countries. Intra-EU trade
is particularly significant, with more than 84 percent of EU exports going to,
and about 45 percent of imports coming from, other EU countries in 2006 and
2007. Trade in fish and fishery products among the more developed economies
consists mainly of demersal species,herring, mackerel and salmon but also
bivalves. In general, a significant share of trade among developed countries is
of farmed origin.

The trade in fish between developing countries represents only 25 percent of

the value of their fishery exports. This trade should increase in the future,
partly as a result of the emergence of more liberal and effectively implemented
regional trade agreements, and partly driven by the demographic, social and
economic trends that are transforming food markets in developing countries.
However, such trade is hampered by the fact that the majority of developing
countries apply, in general terms, much higher import tariffs for all imported
products than do developed countries. This is mostly to generate much-needed
government revenue. Over time, the trade in fish and fish products between
developing countries is likely to improve subsequent to a gradual trade
liberalization and a reduction in import tariffs following the expanding
membership of the WTO and the entry into force of a number of bilateral trade
agreements with strong relevance to the trade in fish. With the accession of
China and Viet Nam to the WTO (in 2001 and 2007, respectively), all the major
fish producing, importing and exporting countries are now members of the
organization, with the exception of the Russian Federation. The latter is a WTO
observer and is involved in access negotiations, with the aim of becoming a full
member within this decade. In addition to the member countries’ individual
commitments on import tariffs, the most important elements of the WTO
agreements for trade in fish are those concerning subsidies, antidumping,
technical barriers to trade (TBT), sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and
dispute resolution.

Some of the major recent issues concerning international trade

in fisheryproducts have been:

 introduction by buyers and international retailers of

private standards for food safety and quality, animal
health, environmental sustainabilityand social purposes;
 continuation of trade disputes related to shrimp and
salmon exports;
 the growing concern of the general public and the retail
sector about overexploitation of certain fish stocks;
 the uptake of ecolabels by major retailers;
 certification of aquaculture in general and of shrimp in
particular;
 the multilateral trade negotiations in the WTO;
 expansion of regional trade areas, and regional and
bilateral trade agreements;
 the negotiations on economic partnership agreements
between the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of
States and the EU;
 global warming and its impact on the fisheries sector;
 rising energy prices and their impact on fisheries;
 rising commodity prices in general and their impact on
producers as well as consumers.
18
 World Trade Organization. 2007. World Trade Report 2007. Geneva. 
19
 Fish import figures differ from export figures because the former are usually
reported in c.i.f. (cost, insurance and freight), whereas exports are reported at
f.o.b. (free on board) values.

Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,

2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 48-54

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5.3 What are the markets for specific types of

fish products?
The source document for this Digest states:

Commodities

In world markets, the trade focus is mainly on high-value species, such as

shrimp, salmon, tuna, gadiformes, 20 bass and bream. However, a number of
high-volume but relatively low-value species are also traded in large quantities
not only nationally and within major producing areas (such as Asia and South
America) but also at the international level. Many of these species are farmed.
With the tremendous growth in aquaculture production of the last few decades,
the absolute and relative contribution of farmed products to international trade
has also grown considerably. Many of the species that have registered the
highest growth rates in the last few years are mostly destined for export. Export
growth rates for species such as catfish and tilapia currently exceed 50 percent
per year. These species are entering new markets where, only a few years ago,
they were practically unknown. This highlights the potential for further growth
in the production, trade and consumption of species and products that
respond to consumers’ needs for moderately-priced white- meat fillets and that,
for the most part, are sold through the supermarket or food service channels.
Many species, such as salmon, tuna and tilapia, trade increasingly in
processed form (fillets or loins). However, trade in many aquaculture products
is not yet well documented as the classification used internationally to record
trade statistics for fish does not distinguish species between wild and those of
farmed origin.
Owing to the high perishability of fish and fishery products, more than 90
percent of the quantity of international trade of fish and fishery products is
conducted in processed form, albeit to varying degrees. In 2006, the share of
live, fresh or chilled fish was 10 percent by quantity, but more than 18 percent
by value. Live and fresh fish are valuable but difficult to trade and transport,
and they are often subject to stringent health regulations and quality
standards. Nonetheless, trade in live fish has increased in recent years as a
result of technological developments, improved logistics and increased demand.
International statistics on trade in live fish also include trade in ornamental
fish, which is high in value terms but almost negligible in terms of quantity
traded.

Exports of frozen fish have increased in the past decade, from 31 percent of the
total quantity of fish exports in 1996 to 39 percent in 2006. Exports of
prepared and preserved fish totalled 9.3 million tonnes (live weight equivalent)
in 2006, representing17 percent of total exports (10 percent in 1996). Exports
of curedfish accounted for 5 percent of total exports in 2006, remaining rather
stable in the last decade. In 2006, exports of non-food fishery products
represented 29 percent of total fish exports in terms of quantity, a large
proportion of which originated from South American countries.
20
 Cod and related species.

Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,

2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 54

The source document for this Digest states:

Shrimp prices in Japan

5.3.1 Shrimp

Shrimp continues to be the largest single commodity in value terms,

accounting for 17 percent of the total value of internationally-
traded fishery products (2006). Despite growing export volumes, its share has
been declining, with average prices showing a downward trend. In value terms,
the major exporting countries are Thailand, China and Viet Nam. In 2007,
shrimp imports were weaker in both the United States of America (the main
shrimp importer) and Japan, whereas the EU consolidated its position as the
leading shrimp market in the world. Apart from the United Kingdom, all major
European countries experienced a stable or increasing trend for shrimp
imports. Prices for cultured shrimp fell owing to softer demand, while prices for
wild shrimp rose in early 2008 (Figure 35). With prices and margins under
pressure, many producers of farmed shrimp are now looking into
diversification and value-addition strategies in order to counter the price
weakness, including cut-backs in output in order to stabilize prices.

Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,

2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 55

The source document for this Digest states:

5.3.2 Salmon

The share of salmon (including trout) in world trade has increased strongly in
recent decades and now stands at 11 percent. This has been driven mainly by
the strong growth in salmon and trout aquaculture in Northern Europe and in
North and South America. Prices have oscillated in line with sudden shifts in
supply, reaching record levels in 2006 but returning to more normal levels in
2007 and 2008. Industry concentration is enabling producers to benefit from
economies of scale, in particular in the use of feed, but also in the handling of
disease, a problem that has affected some of the larger companies. Demand for
farmed salmon is firm, increasing steadily year by year, with new markets
opening up in both developed, transition and developing countries. The
increase in demand for farmed salmon is facilitated by the expansion of
modern retail channels and the steady availability of product throughout the
year.

Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,

2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 55

The source document for this Digest states:

Groundfish prices

5.3.3 Groundfish

Groundfish represented 10 percent of total fish exports (by value) in

2006. Globalization in the groundfish sector is evident with products processed
in China and Viet Nam continuing to supply world markets. China
consolidated its position in the cod and pollock fillet markets. In the United
States of America, groundfish imports fell as exporters preferred the “Euro
area” (given the weak US dollar). Dollar weakness contributed to stable prices
in local currency terms in key European frozen-fillet markets in 2007 (Figure
36). The relatively stable price situation was also helped by steady Alaska
pollock supplies. Hake provisions from some origins (notably Argentina) were
weaker than in 2006, influenced by buoyant regional demand in South
America itself. The groundfish market is characterized by a high degree of
substitution among the different groundfish species as well as with other
species. Increasingly, the market for fillets is being supplied
byfreshwater species, such as tilapia, catfish and Nile perch. Annual
farmedproduction of the first two species exceeds 2 million and 1
million tonnes, respectively. Tilapia has found a ready market in the United
States of America, whereas catfish imports are growing rapidly in the EU, the
Russian Federation, and the United States of America. Despite smaller quotas
for a number of wild traditional groundfish species, the ample supply of ready
substitutes from farmed sources has prevented prices from rising beyond
certain levels.

Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,

2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 55-56

The source document for this Digest states:

Tuna prices

5.3.4 Tuna

The share of tuna in total fish exports in 2006 was 8 percent. Tuna markets
were rather unstable owing to large fluctuations in catch levels, and they
declined in 2007. The main reason for this decline was the increased fuel price,
which made long fishing trips uneconomical for the world tuna fleet. Prices
increased in all main markets (Figure 37), and canned tuna prices soared for
the first time in 20 years. Japan, the largest market for imported tuna, saw
falling quantities in all categories. Import tariffs on tuna remain an important
issue for both importers and exporters, as does the impact of preferential
access for products from specific countries.
Source & ©: FAO Fisheries – The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,
2008  
PART 1:World review of fisheries and aquaculture, Fish trade, p. 56-57

The source document for this Digest states:

Tuna prices

5.3.5 Cephalopods

The share of cephalopods in world trade in fish was 4.2 percent in 2006.
Thailand is the largest exporter of squid and cuttlefish, followed by Spain,
China and Argentina. Morocco is the principal octopus exporter. Spain, Italy
and Japan are the largest importers of this species. Total annual catches of
cephalopods are fairly stable at about 3.6–3.8 million tonnes. Squid prices
plummeted in 2007 as traders in Argentina sold at prices much below those of
the previous season. On the other hand, octopus production and trade
declined in 2007 as a result of limited catches by the Mauritanian fleet.

...
 vivek e s <vivu619@gmail.com>

commercially imp fishery of india

Tintu Bharathan Bharathan <btintubharathan@yahoo.in> Fri, Dec 17, 2010 at 2:11 PM
To: vivu619@gmail.com

----- Forwarded Message ----

From: Tintu Bharathan Bharathan <btintubharathan@yahoo.in>
To: vijibhaskaran@yahoo.in
Sent: Wed, 8 December, 2010 2:07:27 PM
Subject: 

           COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISHERY RESOURCES OF INDIA

Sl.No          Common Name               Vernacular Name (Tamil)      
Scientific Name
      Shark                             Sorrah
1
                                                                     Carcharhinus
      Black tip shark/ Grey shark       Kundan-sorrah
                                                                     limbatus
                                                                     Carcharhinus
                                        Katta-sorrah/ Perunthalai-
      Black tip reef shark/ Black shark
                                                                     melanopterus
                                        sorrah/ Karamudi-sorrah
                                                                     Sphyrna zygaena
      Smooth hammer- head shark         Komban-sorrah
                                                                     Sphyrna lewini
      Scalloped hammerhead shark        Komban-sorrah
                                        Puli-sorrah/ Valluvan sorrah Galeocerdo cuvieri
      Tiger shark
                                                                     Scoliodon
      Spadenose shark                   Pillai-sorrah
                                                                     laticaudus
                                                                     Rhizoprionodon
      Milk shark/ Grey dog shark        Pal sorrah
                                                                     acutus
      Skates & Rays                     Thirukkai
2
                                                                     Rhyncobatus
      Shovel nose ray/ Guitar fish/     Palunga/ Padangan/
                                                                     djiddensis
      White spotted nose ray            Katchu-uluvai/ Paal uluvai
                                                                     Rhinobatus
      Granulated shovel nose ray/
                                        Kalluvai/ Padangan
                                                                     granulatus
      Sharpnose guitar fish
                                                                     Pristis microdon
      Small toothed saw fish            Vezha/ Velaschora
      Green saw fish/ Small tooth saw
                                                                     Pristis pectinata
                                        Velaa meen/ Uluvai
      fish
      Bleeker’s whipray/ White tail     Saman thirukkai/ Savukku
                                                                     Himantura bleekeri
      sting ray                         thirukkai
                                        Valvadi thirukkai/ Surul
                                                                     Rhinoptera javanica
      Javanese cownose ray
                                        thirukkai
                                        Kurivi thirukkai/ Vaval
                                                                     Aetobatus narinari
      Spotted eagle ray
                                        thirukkai
                                  Kombu thirukkai/ Kotuwa
                                                             Manta birostris
  Giant devil ray/ Giant manta
                                  thirukkai
  Anchovy/ White bait             Nethili
3
  Golden anchovy/ Gold-spotted
                                                             Coilia dussumieri
                                  Thogai-meen
  grenadier anchovy
                                  Poruva/ Nedum poruva/
                                                             Thryssa mystax
  Moustached anchovy
                                  Kola
                                                             Thryssa malabarica
  Malabar anchovy                 Poruva
                                                             Thryssa dussumieri
  Dussumier’s anchovy             Semporuva
                                                             Stolephorus indicus
  Indian anchovy                  Nethili
                                                             Stolephorus
  Commerson’s anchovy             Nethili
                                                             commersonnii
                                                             Stolephorus devisi/
  Devis’ anchovy/ Shorthand
                                                             Encrasicholina
                                  Nethili
  anchovy
                                                             devisi
  Sardines & Shads                Chalai, Kavalai
4
                                  Peichalai/ Kavalai/ Neethu
                                                             Sardinella longiceps
  Indian oil sardine
                                  kavalai
                                                             Sardinella gibbosa
  Gold stripe sardinella          Nonalai/ Kavalai
                                                             Sardinella albella
  White sardinella                Choodai/ Thatta kavalai
  Fringescale sardine/ Lesser
                                                             Sardinella fimbriata
                                  Choodai/ Nedum kavalai
  sardine
                                                             Sardinella
  Deepbody sardinella             Usi kavalai
                                                             brachysoma
                                  Motha kendai/
                                                             Dussumieria acuta
  Rainbow sardine
                                  Poondivirinjan/ Thondan
                                                             Hilsa ilisha
  Hilsa shad/ Indian shad         Ullam/ Sevva
                                                             Ilisha elongata
  Elongate ilisha/ Slender ilisha Poovali
                                                             Nematalosa nasus
  Bloch’s gizzard shad            Muddukandai/ Koimeen
  Wolf herring               Mulluvalai
5
                                                        Chirocentrus dorab
  Dorab wolf-herring         Mullu valai/ Valai
                                                        Chirocentrus nudus
  Whitefin wolf herring      Karu valai/ Mullu valai
                                                        Chanos chanos
  Milk fish                  Pal meen/ Pal kendai
  Tuna                       Choorai
6
                                                        Thunnus tonggol
  Longtail tuna              Kara surai/ Kila valai
                                                        Auxis thazard
  Frigate tuna               Elichoorai
                                                        thazard
                                                        Euthynnus affinis
  Kawakawa                   Choorai
                                                        Thunnus albacares
  Yellowfin tuna             Kila valai/ Choorai
                                                        Thunnus obesus
  Big-eye tuna               Kila valai/ Choorai
                                                        Katsuwonus
  Skipjack tuna              Choorai
                                                        pelamis
  Seer fish                  Vanjiram, Mavulasi
7
                                                        Scomberomorus
                             Katta-cheela/ Cheela/
  Indo-pacific king mackerel
                                                        guttatus
                             Naimeen/ Vanjiram
                                                        Scomberomorus
  Narrow-barred Spanish      Ah-ku-lah/ Vanjiram/
                                                        commerson
  mackerel                   Nettaiyan cheela
                                                        Scomberomorus
  Streaked Spanish mackerel  Mavuladi/ Naimeen
                                                        lineolatus
  Mackerel                   Ailai, Kanangeluthi
8
                                                        Rastrelliger
                             Ailai/ Augalai/
  Indian mackerel
                                                        kanagurta
                             Kanangeluthi/ Kumla
                                                        Rastrelliger faughni
  Faughn’s mackerel          Ailai / Augalai
                                                        Rastrelliger
  Short bodied mackerel      Ailai/ Kanangeluthi/ Kumla
                                                        brachysoma
  Carangids                  Parai
9
                                      Kilisai/ Parai/ Semaparai/
   Torpedo scad/ Hardtail scad/       Komaraparai/ Pulli parai/
                                                                 Megalaspis cordyla
   Horse mackerel                     Thenga parai/ Vengadai
                                      parai
   Indian scad/ Russell’s scad/
                                                                 Decapterus russelli
                                      Paarai/ Kilichai
   Naked breast trevally
                                                                 Caranx
   Bigeye trevally/ Dusky trevally    Usi parai/ Parai
                                                                 sexfasciatus
                                                                 Carangoides
   Malabar trevally                   Thol Parai
                                                                 malabaricus
                                      Vaththava parai/ Manchal
                                                                 Caranx ignobilis
   Giant trevally/ Yellowfin trevally
                                      killu parai
                                                                 Carangoides ferdau
   Blue trevally                      Tanga parah
                                                                 Alepes djedaba
   Shrimp scad                        Kilisai/ Komaraparai
                                                                 Atule mate
   Yellowtail scad                    Parai
                                                                 Atropus atropos
   Cleftbelly trevally                Kunni-parah
                                                                 Seriolina
                                      Ponnarameen/ Mosala
   Blackbanded trevally/ Butter fish
                                                                 nigrofasciata
                                      parai
   Silverbellies/ Ponyfish            Karal
10
                                      Sudumbu karal/ Kuthippu
                                                                 Gazza minuta
   Tooth pony
                                      karal
                                                                 Leiognathus
                                      Karai/ Kalikaral/ Kaaral/
   Common ponyfish
                                                                 equulus
                                      Soorokoonam-kare
                                                                 Leiognathus bindus
   Orangefin ponyfish                 Karal/ Theevetti karal
                                                                 Leiognathus
   Splendid ponyfish                  Karal/ Kulli-karai
                                                                 splendens
                                                                 Leiognathus
   Dussumier’s ponyfish               Veri-karai/ Karal
                                                                 dussumieri
   Lizard fish                        Thumbili
11
   Brush tooth lizard fish            Uluvai/ Thumbili           Saurida
                                                               undosquamis
                                                               Saurida tumbil
   Greater lizard fish              Thumbili
                                                               Synodus indicus
   Indian lizard fish               Thumbili
                                                               Synodus variegatus
   Variegated lizard fish           Thumbili
   Catfish                          Keluthi, Keliru
12
                                    Keluthi/ Mondai keliru/
                                                               Arius thalassinus
   Giant seacatfish
                                    Mandal keliru/ Venkeliru
   Blacktip sea cat- fish/
                                                               Arius dussumieri
                                    Mondai keliru
   Dussumier’s cat fish
   Small-eye catfish/ White catfish
                                                               Arius jella
                                    Vellai-keliru/ Keluthi
   Blackfin sea catfish
   Spotted catfish/ Sea catfish/
                                                               Arius maculatus
                                    Keliru/Keluthi
   Sea barbel
                                                               Osteogeniosus
   Soldier catfish                  Ponkeluthi
                                                               militaris
                                                               Clarias batrachus
   Walking catfish                  Keluthi
                                                               Silurus
                                                               wynaadensis/
   Freshwater catfish/ Malabar
                                                               Pterocryptis
   silurus
                                                               wynaadensis
   Giant river catfish/ Short-nosed Pona-keluthi/ Nedunthalai
                                                               Mystus seenghala
   catfish                          kelutti/ Naddu-keluthi
                                    Walagh/ Vazhai/ Valaiathi-
                                                               Wallago attu
   Shark catfish
                                    valai
                                                               Heteropneustes
   Stinging catfish                 Thaylee/ Thailimeen
                                                               fossilis
   Eel                              Vlangu
13
                                                               Congresox
                                    Kotah/ Kulivi pambu/
   Indian pike conger
                                                               talabonoides
                                    Vlangu
                                                               Conger cinereus
   Indian conger eel                Vlangu
   Indonesian shortfin eel/ Shortfin Vellanagoo/ Serum pambu/
                                                                Anguilla bicolor
   eel/ Freshwater eel               Vlangu
   Flying fish                       Para kola, Kola
14
                                                                Cheilopogon
                                     Paravai kola/ Para kola/
   Margined flying fish
                                                                cyanopterus
                                     Kola
                                                                Cheilopogon
                                     Paravai kola/ Para kola/
   Spot-fin flying fish
                                                                furcatus
                                     Kola
                                     Paravai kola/ Para kola/
                                                                Exocoetus volitans
   Two-winged flying fish
                                     Kola
   Full beak/ Gar fish               Mural
15
   Flat needle fish/ Barred long-
                                                                Ablennes hians
                                     Mural
   tom
                                                                Tylosurus
   Hound needle fish/ Forktail
                                                                crocodilus
                                     Pahmum kola/ Mural
   alligator gar
                                                                crocodilus
   Half beak                         Usi Kola, Mural
16
                                                                Hemirhamphus
   Barred half-beak                  Usi kola/ Mural
                                                                marginatus
                                                                Hemirhamphus far
   Blackbarred half beak             Usi kola/ Mural
                                                                Rhynchorhamphus
   Long-billed half beak/ Malabar
                                     Usi kola/ Mural
                                                                georgii
   half beak
   Sail fish/ Marlin                 Thalapaththu, Kopparan
17
                                                                Istiophorus
   Indo-Pacific sail fish            Mayilmeen/ Thalapaththu
                                                                platypterus
                                                                Makaira indica
   Black marlin                      Kopparaikulla/ Kopparan
                                                                Makaira mazara
   Blue marlin                       Kopparaikulla
   Barracuda                         Seela, Ooli
18
   Pick-handle barracuda/ Banded
                                                                Sphyraena jello
                                     Seela/ Kara ooli/ Thiriyan
   barracuda
                                                              Sphyraena
   Great barracuda                Seela/ Ooli/ Thiriyan
                                                              barracuda
   Mullet                         Madavai
19
                                                              Mugil cephalus
   Flathead mullet/ Grey mullet   Madavai/ Kasmeen
                                  Manalai/ Sarya/Madavai/
                                                              Valamugil seheli
   Bluespot mullet
                                  Madavakendai
                                                              Liza parsia
   Gold-spot mullet               Madavai/ Avelameen
   Threadfin                      Kala, Ma-kala
20
                                                              Eleutheronema
   Four-finger threadfin/ Indian
                                  Kala/ Ma-kala
                                                              tetradactylum
   salmon
                                                              Polynemus
   Seven-finger threadfin         Kala/ Ma-kala
                                                              heptadactylus
                                                              Polynemus indicus
   Indian threadfin               Kala
   Sea perch                      Selanthan, Koduva
21
                                                              Ambassis ambassis
   Commerson’s glassy perchlet    Selanthan
   Giant sea perch/ Barramundi/
                                                              Lates calcarifer
                                  Koduva/ Painee meen
   Sea bass
   Tiger perch                    Keechan, Keeli
22
   Jarbua terapon/ Crescent tiger Keechan/ Kovakeechan/
                                                              Terapon jarbua
   perch                          Keeli
                                                              Terapon puta
   Small-scaled terapon           Pootankeeli/ Keechan
   Snapper                        Seppili, Noolani
23
                                  Karuvalai/ Parithi velameen Lutjanus johnii
   John’s snapper
                                                              Lutjanus gibbus
   Humpback red snapper           Sankara meen
                                                              Lutjanus rivulatus
   Blubberlip snapper             Cuttu-pirium/ Karuvalai
                                                              Lutjanus
   Malabar red snapper            Seppili/ Noolani
                                                              malabaricus
                                                                Lutjanus lutjanus
   Bigeye snapper                  Seppili/ Noolani
                                   Seppili/ Vekkattai/ Thokkal/ Lutjanus
   Mangrove red snapper
                                                                argentimaculatus
                                   Pullikarayan/ Noolani
   Grouper/ Reef Cod               Kalava
24
                                                                Epinephelus
   Thorny cheek grouper/ Six-
                                   Kalava
                                                                diacanthus
   barred reef cod
                                                                Epinephelus
   Malabar grouper/ Malabar reef
                                   Kalava
                                                                malabaricus
   cod
                                                                Epinephelus
   Giant grouper                   Kalava
                                                                lanceolatus
                                                                Epinephelus
   Comet grouper/ Banded-cheek
                                   Kollu kalava
                                                                morrhua
   reef cod
                                                                Epinephelus
   Greasy reef cod                 Thala kalava
                                                                tauvina
   Bulleye                         Kakkasi
25
   Moon-tail bulleye/ Dusky-finned
                                                                Priacanthus hamrur
                                   Kakkasi
   bulleye
                                                                Priacanthus
   Glasseye/ Blood-coloured
                                   Kakkasi
                                                                cruentatus
   bulleye
   Emperor bream/Pigface
                                   Vilaimeen
26
   bream
   Spangled emperor/ Starry
                                                                Lethrinus nebulosus
                                   Koranguvela/ Vilaimeen
   emperor bream
                                                                Lethrinus ornatus
   Ornate emperor                  Vilaimeen
   Goat fish                       Navarai
27
                                                                Upeneus vittatus
   Yellowstriped goat fish         Navarai
                                                                Upeneus
   Gold band goat fish             Navarai
                                                                moluccensis
                                                                Upeneus
   Yellow goat fish/ Sulphur goat
                                   Sen navarai/ Kal navarai
                                                                sulphureus
   fish/ Sunrise goat fish
                                                          Parupeneus indicus
   Indian goat fish              Sen navarai/ Kal navarai
   Grunters                      Korukkai, Seraiah
28
                                                          Pomadasys
   Silver grunt                  Korukkai, Seraiah
                                                          argenteus
                                                          Pomadasys
   Saddle grunt                  Korukkai, Seraiah
                                                          maculatum
                                                          Pomadasys hasta
   Lined silver grunt            Kaakka meen
   Ribbon fish                   Valai, Savalai
29
                                                          Lepturacanthus
   Savalani hairtail             Chavalai/ Savalai/ Valai
                                                          savala
                                                          Trichiurus lepturus
   Largehead hairtail            Chavalai/ Savalai/ Valai
   Pomfret                       Vaval
30
                                                          Pampus argenteus
   White pomfret/ Silver pomfret Vellai vaval
                                                          Pampus chinensis
   Chinese silver pomfret        Vellai vaval
                                                          Parastromateus
   Black pomfret                 Karuppu vaval
                                                          niger
   Threadfin bream               Changarah, Kandal
31
                                                          Nemipterus
   Japanese threadfin bream      Changarah/ Kandal
                                                          japonicus
                                                          Nemipterus
   Delagoa threadfin bream/
                                                          bipunctatus /
                                 Changarah/ Kandal
   Bleeker’s threadfin bream
                                                          Nemipterus bleekeri
   Croakers                      Kathalai, Panna
32
                                                          Johnius dussumieri
   Spotted croaker/ Sin croaker  Varikathalai
                                                          Johnius carutta
   Karut croaker                 Pullikathalai
                                                          Johnieops aneus/
   Greyfin croaker               Karun kathali
                                                          Pennahia anea
                                                          Kathala axillaris
   Kathala croaker               Kathalai
                                                          Otolithes ruber
   Tiger- toothed croaker        Kathalai/ Panna
                                                          Otolithes cuvier
   Lesser toothed croaker        Panna
                                                          Protonibea
   Blackspotted croaker/ Spotted Kathalai/ Vellikathalai/
                                                          diacanthus
   croaker                       Kooral
   Mojarras                      Udagam, Velludan
33
   Whipfin silver biddy/ Whipfin Udagam/Velludan/ Oodan/
                                                          Gerres filamentosus
   mojarra                       Poonanthartha
                                 Udagam/Velludan/ Oodan/ Gerres
   Bigeye mojarra
                                                          macrocanthus
                                 Poonanthartha
   White fish                    Guthippu, Sudumbu
34
                                                          Lactarius lactarius
   False trevally/ White fish    Guthippu, Sudumbu
   Flat fishes                   Manangu, Nakkumeen
35
                                 Kotaralu/ Nakkumeen/
                                                          Cynoglossus lingua
   Long tongue sole
                                 Manangu
                                                          Cynoglossus
   Malabar tongue sole           Nakkumeen/ Manangu
                                                          macrostomus
   Carrot tongue sole/ Large
                                                          Cynoglossus dubius
                                 Nakkumeen/ Manangu
   tongue sole
   Indian spiny turbot/ Indian
                                                          Psettodes erumei
                                 Erumai-nakku
   halibut
   Cobias                        Kadavara
36
                                                          Rachycentron
   Black kingfish/ Cobia         Kadavara/ Kadal viral
                                                          canadum
   Trigger fish                  Clathy
37
                                                          Odonus niger
   Red-tooth trigger fish        Clathy/ Karuppu clathy
                                                          Abalistes spp
   Starry trigger fish           Clathy
                                                          Rhinecanthus spp
   Rectangular trigger fish      Clathy
                                                          Balistes spp
   Grey trigger fish             Clathy
   Whitings                    Kelangan
38
                                                           Sillago sihama
   Silver whiting              Kelangan
   Moonfish                    Ambattan para
39
                               Amattikatti/ Ambattan para/
                                                           Mene maculata
   Moon fish
                               Kannadi karak
   Swordfish                   Kadu koppara
40
                                                           Xiphias gladius
   Swordfish                   Kadu koppara
   Fingerfishes/ Moony fishes  Parrandan
41
                                                           Monodactylus
   Moony fish/ Silver bat fish Parrandan/ Moolen
                                                           argenteus
   Carps                       Carp
42
                               Katla/Thoppa meen/ Japan
                                                           Catla catla
   Catla/ Thick lips           kendai/ Koora kendai/
                               Yamaneri kendai/Karavai
                                                           Cirrhinus mrigala
   Mrigal                      Mrigala/ Gudu kendai
                                                           Ctenopharyngodon
   Grass carp                  Pullu kendai
                                                           idella
                                                           Cyprinus carpio
   Common carp                 Carp
                                                           Labeo rohita
   Rohu                        Rogu/ Kennadi kendai
                               Palli kendai/ Sallkendai/
                                                           Puntius carnaticus
   Carnatic carp
                               Sihelle
   Cichlids
43
                               Sethakendai/ Palincha/
                                                           Etroplus suratensis
   Green chromide/ Pearlspot
                               Karassar
   Orange chromide/ Spotted    Sellakasu/ Paradi/ Challai/
                                                           Etroplus maculatus
   etroplus                    Boorakas
                                                             Oreochromis
                                                             mossambica/
   Tilapia                         Tilapia/ Jilabi-meen
                                                             Tilapia mossambica
   Climbing perch                  Sennal
44
                                                             Anabas testudineus
   Climbing perch                  Sennal/ Panaiyerikendai
   Snakeheads/ Murrels             Vraal
45
                                                             Channa marulius
   Giant snakehead                 Aviri/ Puveral/ Iru vraal
   Asiatic snakehead/ Bengal       Parakoravai/ Maniam-
                                                             Channa orientalis
   snakehead                       korovai/ Pothi meen
                                                             Channa punctatus
   Spotted snakehead               Korava
                                                             Channa striatus
   Striped snakehead               Vraal/ Karuppu veral
   Shrimp/ Prawn                   Eral
46
                                                             Penaeus monodon
   Giant tiger prawn               Karuvandu eral
                                                             Penaeus indicus
   Indian white shrimp             Vellai eral/ Naaran
                                                             Penaeus japonicus
   Kuruma shrimp                   Kathamba eral
                                                             Penaeus
   Green tiger prawn/ Flower
                                   Vari eral
                                                             semisulcatus
   shrimp
                                                             Penaeus
   Banana shrimp                   Vella eral
                                                             merguiensis
                                                             Metapenaeus
                                   Chemmakkara eral/
   Flower-tail shrimp/ Pink shrimp
                                                             dobsoni
                                   Poovalan
                                   Kazhanthan/ Kal eral/
                                                             Metapenaeus affinis
   King prawn/ Jinga prawn
                                   Chaya valucha eral
                                                             Metapenaeus
   Brown shrimp/ Speckled shrimp Valucha eral
                                                             monoceros
                                                             Parapenaeopsis
   Kiddi shrimp/ Marine shrimp     Karikadi/ Vandu eral
                                                             stylifera
                                                             Solenocera spp
   Deepsea mud shrimp              Rani karikadi/ Kall eral
                                                               Acetes indicus
   Jawala/ Paste shrimp            Chenna kunni
                                                               Macrobrachium
   Giant river prawn/ Scampi       Aathu eral/ Scampi
                                                               rosenbergii
   Lobsters                        Singi eral, Madakku eral
47
   Green spiny lobster/ Rock
                                                               Panulirus homarus
                                   Thala eral/ Singi eral
   lobster
                                                               Panulirus
   Mud spiny lobster/ Rock lobster Thala eral/ Singi eral
                                                               polyphagus
   Ornate spiny lobster/ Rock
                                                               Panulirus ornatus
                                   Singi eral/ Mani eral
   lobster
   Flathead locust lobster/ Mud    Matta singi eral/ Kal eral/
                                                               Thenus orientalis
   lobster                         Madakku eral
                                                               Puerulus sewelli
   Whip lobster/ Deepsea lobster   Singi eral
   Crab                            Nandu
48
                                   Pachai nandu/ Kazhi nandu Scylla serrata
   Mud crab
                                   Olakkal nandu/ Pulli nandu Portunus pelagicus
   Blue swimming crab
                                   Mukkannu nanadu/ Olakkal Portunus
   Three-spotted swimming crab
                                                               sanguinolentus
                                   nandu
                                                               Charybdis cruciata
   Christ shell crab               Siluvai nandu
   Cephalopods
49
                                                               Loligo duvaucelli
   Indian squid                    Oosi-kanavai
                                   Kadaman / Muttai/ Ottu-
                                                               Sepia spp
   Cuttlefish
                                   kanavai/ Vari-kanavai
                                                               Octopus spp
   Octopus                         Pai kanava
   Bivalves
50
                                   Pachai aali/ Chippi/
                                                               Perna viridis
   Green mussel
                                   Kallukka
                                                               Perna indica
   Brown mussel                    Aali/ Chippi/ Kallukka
                                      Meretrix meretrix
Yellow clam   Matti
                                      Meretrix casta
Yellow clam   Matti
                                      Vellorita cyprinoides
Black clam    Matti
                                      Anadara granosa
Blood clam    Vari matti/ Ratha matti
                                      Paphia malabarica
Textile clam  Matti
                                      Crassostrea
Edible oyster Vella aali
                                      madrasensis
                                      Pinctada spp
Pearl oyster  Muthuchippi
North American Countries

 Antigua and Barbuda

 Bahamas
 Barbados
 Belize
 Canada
 Costa Rica
 Cuba
 Dominica

 Dominican Republic
 El Salvador
 Grenada
 Guatemala
 Haiti
 Honduras
 Jamaica
 Mexico

 Nicaragua
 Panama
 St. Kitts & Nevis
 St. Lucia
 St. Vincent & 
the Grenadines
 Trinidad & Tobago
 United States
North America,
the planet’s 3rd largest continent, includes (23)
countries and dozens of possessions and territories. It
contains all Caribbean and Central America countries,
Canada, Mexico, the United States of America, as well as
Greenland - the world’s largest island. 

Positioned in the planet's northern and western hemispheres,

it's bordered in the north by the Arctic Ocean, in the east by
the Atlantic Ocean, in the southeast by the Caribbean Sea
and Gulf of Mexico, and in the west by the Pacific Ocean. 

Additional North American countries (not shown on this map)

include: 

 Antigua and Barbuda,

 Barbados,
 Dominica,
 Grenada,
 Haiti,
 St. Kitts & Nevis,
 St. Lucia,
 St. Vincent & the Grenadines,
 Trinidad & Tobago
  

Oceanic production

Marine diatoms; an example of planktonicmicroalgae

In a reversal of the pattern on land, in the oceans, almost all primary

production is performed by algae, with a small fraction contributed by vascular
plants and other groups. Algae encompass a diverse range of organisms,
ranging from single floating cells to attached seaweeds. They include
photoautotrophs from a variety of groups. eubacteria are important
photosynthetizers in both oceanic and terrestrial ecosystems, however, no
know archaea is photosynthetic. A number ofeukaryotes are significant
contributors to primary production in the ocean, including green algae,brown
algae and red algae, and a diverse group of unicellular groups. Vascular plants
are also represented in the ocean by groups such as the seagrasses.

Unlike terrestrial ecosystems, the majority of primary production in the ocean

is performed by free-living microscopic organisms called phytoplankton. Larger
autotrophs, such as the seagrasses and macroalgae (seaweeds) are generally
confined to the littoral zone and adjacent shallow waters, where they
can attach to the underlying substrate but still be within the photic zone.
There are exceptions, such as Sargassum, but the vast majority of free-floating
production takes place within microscopic organisms.

The factors limiting primary production in the ocean are also very different
from those on land. The availability of water, obviously, is not an issue (though
its salinity can be). Similarly, temperature, while affecting metabolic rates
(see Q10), ranges less widely in the ocean than on land because theheat
capacity of seawater buffers temperature changes, and the formation of sea
ice insulates it at lower temperatures. However, the availability of light, the
source of energy for photosynthesis, and mineral nutrients, the building blocks
for new growth, play crucial roles in regulating primary production in the
ocean.
[edit] Light

A kelp forest; an example of attached macroalgae

The sunlit zone of the ocean is called the photic zone (or euphotic zone). This is
a relatively thin layer (10–100 m) near the ocean's surface where there is
sufficient light for photosynthesis to occur. For practical purposes, the
thickness of the photic zone is typically defined by the depth at which light
reaches 1% of its surface value. Light is attenuated down the water column by
its absorption orscattering by the water itself, and by dissolved or particulate
material within it (including phytoplankton).

Net photosynthesis in the water column is determined by the interaction

between the photic zone and the mixed layer. Turbulent mixing by wind energy
at the ocean's surface homogenises the water column vertically until the
turbulence dissipates (creating the aforementioned mixed layer). The deeper
the mixed layer, the lower the average amount of light intercepted by
phytoplankton within it. The mixed layer can vary from being shallower than
the photic zone, to being much deeper than the photic zone. When it is much
deeper than the photic zone, this results in phytoplankton spending too much
time in the dark for net growth to occur. The maximum depth of the mixed
layer in which net growth can occur is called the critical depth. As long as
there are adequate nutrients available, net primary production occurs
whenever the mixed layer is shallower than the critical depth.

Both the magnitude of wind mixing and the availability of light at the ocean's
surface are affected across a range of space- and time-scales. The most
characteristic of these is the seasonal cycle(caused by the consequences of the
Earth's axial tilt), although wind magnitudes additionally have strong spatial
components. Consequently, primary production in temperate regions such as
theNorth Atlantic is highly seasonal, varying with both incident light at the
water's surface (reduced in winter) and the degree of mixing (increased in
winter). In tropical regions, such as the gyres in the middle of the
major basins, light may only vary slightly across the year, and mixing may only
occur episodically, such as during large storms or hurricanes.