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Recent Submissions

  • Experimental studies on acclimatization of marine shrimps, Penaeus monodon and Metapenaeus monoceros to freshwater

    Rathacharen, S.; Laxminarayana, A.; Venkatasami, O.; Codabaccus, B. (2005-08-29)
    The adult shrimps, Penaeus monodon and Metapenaeus monoceros were induced to mature and spawn by eyestalk ablation. The larvae of both the species of shrimps were reared up to post larval stage on a diet of the phytoplankton, Chaetoceros calcitrans. The post larvae of M. monoceros were fed with artificial feeds only, whereas the post larvae of P. monodon were fed on small quantities of Artemia sp. in addition to artificial feed. After post larval stage, PL-20, the post-larvae were acclimatized to freshwater. Acclimatization was tried for different periods ranging between 2 and 20 days. The best survival rate was obtained for an acclimatization period of 5 days. Results obtained so far showed that the growth of P. monodon was significantly higher in freshwater. The methodologies of larval rearing, acclimatization and the results obtained on the growth of P. monodon in freshwater and seawater are described.
  • Larval rearing techniques and stock enhancement of silver seabream (Rhabdosargus sarba) in Mauritius

    Baccus, H.; Ramsaha, S.; Rathacharen, S.; Hassea, R.; Auliar, I.; Codabaccus, B. (2005)
    The silver sea bream (Rhabdosargus sarba), has great commercial value in Mauritius. The species is a potential candidate for aquaculture. The sea bream, a winter spawner, was successfully induced to breed in captivity with HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone injection (250 IU/kg body weight) in 1989 at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre. In 1997, the Coastal Fisheries Resources and Environment Conservation Project of Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was launched to enhance the stock of the silver sea bream in the lagoon. This species breeds under hatchery conditions during the spawning season. Annually, the hatchery-produced sea bream fingerlings, of 2.0 to 2.5 cm body length, were released in the coastal areas. The larval rearing method adopted at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre is described.
  • Some results of the study on rearing of mangrove crab Scylla serrata juveniles in the barachois of Mauritius

    Hassea, R.; Codabaccus, B.; Rathacharen, S.; Khadun, S. (2005)
    The mangrove crab, Scylla serrata (Forskal) is a potential candidate for aquaculture development in Mauritius and experimental trials on its culture were carried out from 1997 to 2002. It has a fast growth rate and tolerates a wide range of physico-chemical parameters. The survival rate of Scylla serrata, both under the controlled/hatchery conditions and in the natural eco-habitat is low. In 1997, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the “Coastal Fisheries Resources & Environment Conservation Project” to enhance the stock of crab in the lagoon waters. The quantity of crab juveniles for culture in barachois is dependent on the availability of seed in the lagoon. Hatchery-produced crab juveniles were reared for experimentation/study in pen enclosures in two barachois prior to release in the coastal areas. The bio-indicators, stocking density and feeding regime differed in the two experimental studies. These experiments indicated varying survival and growth rates using different feeding regimes and stocking densities.
  • Tuna Data Collection and Processing in Mauritius

    Munbodh, M.; Norungee, D. (IOTC, 1999)
    IOTC Proceedings no. 2
    The Fisheries division of the Ministry of Fisheries and Cooperatives is involved in research, development, management and protection of fishery resources of Mauritius. It is divided into a Fishery Research and Development Service and a Fisheries Protection Service. The latter section is primarily concerned with the protection of fishery resources and enforcement of Fisheries Act. The Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC), established in 1982, comprises the technical services of the Ministry and is responsible for research and development in the fishery sector. Its activities include resource assessment and management, development of fishing technology, fish quality inspection, studies on the marine environment, establishment of marine parks, and aquaculture research.
  • Introduction of Fish Aggregating Devices in the Southwest Indian Ocean (A Case Study)

    Venkatasami, A. (FAO, 1990)
    SWIOP/SW/49 - IPFC - Symposium on Artificial Reefs and Fish Aggregating Devices (Fads) as Resource Enhancement and Fisheries Management Tools
    During the past decades, several countries of the Southwest Indian Ocean region have attempted setting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) with varying success. Initially, FADs were rapidly lost without being able to produce any results. The gradual improvement in design through the work carried out mainly by SWIOP1 in the region, lead to the development of long lived FADs in Mauritius. The transfer of that technology to other islands such as Reunion, Madagascar, Comores and Rodrigues (Mauritius) gave a new impulse to the activity.
  • Analysis of Tag Recoveries in Mauritius (1988-1993) and Presentation of Codification Procedure in Use

    Cayré, P.; Norungee, D.; Lim Shung, C. (1995)
    Tagging is considered an excellent tool for estimating the importance of interactions and competition between fisheries as well as to study tuna stocks and migrations. The Regional Tuna Project of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) conducted five tagging cruises in the western Indian Ocean, during which 955 fishes were tagged. Out of the total number tagged 15 were recaptured. Tuna tagging in the Indian Ocean was also undertaken by the Indo- Pacific Tuna Programme and by the Japanese National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries. 39 tuna marked by these organisations were recovered in Mauritius. Analysis of data collected from the tag recoveries provide some preliminary estimates of growth rate and migration of tuna. Tagging is the most direct method to estimate growth, stock structure, schooling behaviour and migrations; it also provides essential information for estimating mortality (natural and fishing) and fisheries interactions and thus is pertinent for defining proper management of a stock.
  • Analysis of the Purse Seine Fishery of Mauritius, 1990 - 1994, and Comparison of Catch Rate and Species Composition of Catches of Mauritian Purse Seiners to Those of the French Fleet

    Norungee, D.; Lim Shung, C. (IOTC, 1996)
    The catches made by purse seiners on schools associated with logs constitute more than half of the total catch of the purse-seine fishery of the western Indian Ocean. In the purse-seine fishery on log-associated schools of tuna, either natural logs are spotted by vessels and are marked with radio beacons, or artificial logs are set at sea to concentrate the tuna prior to fishing operations. The first attempt at commercial purse seining was successfully carried out in the Indian Ocean in 1979 by a joint-venture Mauritian vessel using the same technique as the Japanese, who had traditionally fished on schools associated with logs in the Pacific Ocean. They started fishing in the Indian Ocean after experimental purse-seine fishing was conducted by the Japan Marine Fishery Resource Centre (JAMARC) for the purpose of providing similar fishing patterns to those in the Pacific Ocean using artificial logs (payao, or raft).
  • Fish-Aggregating Devices (FADS) as a Tool to Enhance Production of Artisanal Fishermen: Problems and Perspectives

    Sheik Mamode, A.; Venkatasami, A. (1996)
    Although Mauritius has a total land area of 2200 km2 and an EEZ of 1.6 million km2 due to the presence of outer islands, its total production of fish is relatively low. This is due to the fact that the primary productivity of the surrounding sea is one of the lowest in the Indian Ocean, at 0.15 g/m2/day (FAO/IOP, 1978). In the lagoon and reef drop-off of Mauritius, 2,840 artisanal fishermen produced only 1,663 t of fish in 1993. The MSY of this area is estimated at 1,669 t (Samboo & Mauree, 1987). The demand for fish products is on the increase in Mauritius, due to the improving living standards of the population, and to the increasing consciousness of the benefits to health of fish protein; the per capita consumption has increased from 12.5 kg in 1985 to 19 kg in 1994. As the catch from the lagoon can hardly be improved, the development of other fisheries has gained importance. It is in this context that a FAD-associated fishery was introduced in 1985 to tap the migratory pelagic resources of the near offshore waters of the island (Roullot et al., 1988). At present there are 21 FADs in operation around the island, in waters from 400 to 3000 m deep and at 1.5 to 12 nm from the coast.
  • National Report: The Marine Biodiversity of Mauritius

    Bhikajee, M. (2004)
    The coastline of the island of Mauritius is 322 km long and is almost completely surrounded by fringing coral reefs enclosing a lagoon area totaling 243 km. The volcanic nature of the island's origin, the existence of coral reefs and the access to the lagoons of more than 50 rivers and rivulets, determine the diversity of the coastal habitats, flora and fauna. The island has several sandy beaches, protected bays and calm lagoons - factors that have favoured a prosperous tourism industry. Economically, the coastal zone is by far the most valuable segment of the Mauritian territory. Located here are the tourist facilities, secondary residences, ports, fisheries infrastructure and public beaches. Figure 3 gives the changes in coastal land distribution from 1990 - 2000. In this zone billions of rupees are being invested in the form of hotels, infrastructure, water sport facilities, biodiversity conservation, coastal protection and coastal developments in general. Environmental problems which affect the coastal zone are therefore of a very high priority. (Ministry of Environment, 2002)
  • Transhipment of tuna in Mauritius and analysis of the Mauritian purse-seine fishery, 1994-1997.

    Norungee, D.; Munbodh, M. (IOTC, 1998)
    IOTC Proceedings, 7th Expert Consultation on Indian Ocean Tunas
    This paper presents a review of tuna transhipment in Mauritius and of the local purse-seine fishery. Mauritian purse seiners use FADs to concentrate the fish before netting them. Information is presented on catch and effort, species composition, length frequency and spatial distribution of the purse-seine catches.
  • Country report -- Mauritius

    Munbodh, M. (1996)
    IOCT Proceedings , 6th Expert Consultation on Indian Ocean Tunas
    A brief account is given of the current situation regarding the tuna fishery industry in the Mauritius. A handline fishery from 13 motherships exploits the banks of the Mascarenes Ridge and the Chagos Archipelago and a purse seine fishery has developed since 1979 under a joint venture enterprise. Tuna canning operations and tuna transhipment are outlined and details provided of fishing agreements and licensing of fishing vessels. Measures which will expand benefits from tuna resources are listed.