Directorate of Research and Extension (Fisheries)
Fisheries College and Research Institute
Thoothukkudi - 628 008
The Directorate of Research and Extension (Fisheries) was established to intensify the Fisheries Research and Extension activities in Tamil Nadu. Some of the major activities are:
- Coordinating all research in Fisheries Sciences of Fisheries College and Research Institute and Outstations.
- Availing funding support from agencies such as: ICAR, UGC, DST, DOD, Ministry of Environment and Forests, TNSCS and T, etc.
- Executing all extension programmes and activities in close consultation and co-operation with the Dean, Fisheries College and Research Institute.
- Supervising and controlling the extension education activities of the Fisheries College and Outstation Fisheries Units for the instant transfer of technologies.
- Publishing extension bulletins, circulars, new articles, press releases which summarize important research findings for the benefit of the farming community.
- Taking responsibility for transfer of need - based appropriate technology for the benefit of the farmers.
- Identifying field problems related to management of fisheries in different fisheries research stations of TANUVAS and designing the integrated approach for solving the field problems.
Ornamental fish culture and self-employment by women and men
The Directorate have guided a number of successful trainees to start ornamental fish farming in
Tamil Nadu viz. M/s.Redlin Aqua Farm, Sawyerpuram and Chennai, M/s.Saravana Aqua Farm, Sawyerpuram, M/s.Tuty Aqua Farm, Thoothukkudi, M/s.A-Z Aquarium, M/s.Angel Aquarifarm, Thanjavur and several small home based aqua farms at various rural area of Tamil Nadu.
Integrated fish farming
The fisheries scientists of FC & RI have developed a simple and economically viable system of integrated fish culture and chicken farming without the use of any supplementary feed and fertilizer. This type of farming system has been shown to produce on an annual basis 4.5 to 5 t fish, 70,000 eggs and about 1,000 kg of chicken housing 500 to 600 birds per hectare of pond area. An economically viable system of integrating fish culture with duck farming has also been evolved. By this technique, it has been proved to obtain around 3.7t fish around 18,000 eggs and 5,000 kg duck mat (live weight) from a hectare of pond area in one year without resorting to any supplementary fish feeding and inorganic fertilizer application.
New technology developed for earthworm culture
The Directorate of Fisheries Research and Extension developed a technology for the earthworm production using dry neem leaves for raising the exotic worm Eisenia fetida in captivity and the technology is being adopted by ornamental fish culturists in Thoothukkudi, Tirunelveli and Madurai districts. This vermiculture technology is serving as an alternative for the tubificid worms.
Conservation of Endangered Marina Fauna of the Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu
The Institute is investigating on the biodiversity of corals and distribution of endangered fauna of Gulf of Mannar. Awareness is being created on the need for conservation and management of the marine ecosystem. Conservation of endangered fauna such as corals, holothurians, turtles, dolphins and dugong are being taught to fisher folk and to coastal people through awareness programmes.
Research assessment of ornamental reef fisheries of Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India
Sixty three marine ornamental finfishes have been identified from Gulf of Mannar coming under 13 families. From the catch data collected for different species of ornamental finfishes, Odonus niger, contributed 5432 kg followed by Scarus gibbus (2250 kg) along Tuticorin coast. The biodiversity estimate for 63 marine ornamental species of Gulf of Mannar at three major fish landing centers revealed that species diversity and evenness was more in Vallinokkam coat followed by Mandapam coast.
Fisheries service through Outstation Fisheries Units
Outstation fisheries units of TANUVAS functioning at Thanjavur, Dharmapuri, Kattupakkam, Parakkai and Chennai of TANUVAS are catering to the needs of fish and shrimp aquaculturists by extending technical guidance for sustainable aquaculture practices.
Dr. J.Daniel Jameson, Director of Research and Extension (Fisheries)