Despite growing recognition of fisherwomen’s roles in the fisheries sector, their limited participation in fisheries management and governance remains a concern. A gender analysis of activities in the blue swimming crab (BSC) fishery illustrated how women are involved in all stages of the BSC value chain except at the capture stage. This study explored the different roles and needs, the relationship among actors in terms of gender, economics and power dynamics, as well as gendered roles and relations among stakeholders, and the opportunities and challenges faced by the actors. The fishing families are dependent on patrons for loans for fishing, daily needs and emergencies has created an imbalanced relationship, but it also provides emergency support. The gender analysis was followed by efforts to mainstream gender into the fishery management committee, aiming to improve the fishery management. This paper discusses how women participation in fishery management was encouraged using a transformative approach by organizations and NGOs that facilitated the process by addressing women’s needs as well as increasing the awareness among men, the wider community, and the government-of women’s contributions to the BSC fishery.

Unicorn leatherjacket, Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus, 1758), (Teleostei: Monacanthidae) is a marine demersal fish distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific waters and shared commercial landings along the coast of Indian peninsula from east to west. The present study was conducted to understand the stock structure of A. monoceros from Indian marine waters using truss-network and morphometric based multivariate analysis. Fish were randomly collected from major fish landing centres viz., Gujarat and Kerala along the West coast, and Odisha and Tamil Nadu from the East coast of India, torepresent four zones of the Indian ExclusiveEconomic Zone (EEZ). A total of 17 landmarks were considered to form 28 truss distances, along with 15 morphometric data, to differentiate potential fish stocks of A. monoceros. Principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) andhierarchical clustering based on Euclidean distances of truss measurements were employed to identify stocks along the coastal waters. Univariate ANOVA showed that 22 out of 28 truss distances were significant (p<0.001), while 9 out of 15 morphometric data were significant. The biplot of the first two principal components indicated intermixing of samples from all zones, suggesting absence of discrete stocks. Major body truss measurements of the anterior and caudal peduncle regions contributed significantly to this. LDA functions also showed no evidence of stock separation. The cluster analysis dendrogram depicted that the stocks are distantly located, forming two main clusters among the four fishing locations considered. A uniform management plan is recommended for better harvest of this demersal resource, irrespective of its wide distribution in Indian waters.

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) offers several advantages, such as increased production and water conservation, but they can lead to elevated nitrogenous waste levels due to their intensive nature. This 60-day feeding trial investigated the effects of six hetero-nitrogenous and hetero-caloric diets on genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) fingerlings reared in RAS. Six diets, with decreasing crude protein from 40% to 30% and increasing lipid levels from 7% to 12% were formulated and designated as: T1 (40% CP, 7% lipid), T2 (38% CP, 8% lipid), T3 (36% CP, 9% lipid), T4 (34% CP, 10% lipid), T5 (32% CP, 11% lipid), and T6: 30% CP, 12% lipid). GIFT fingerlings (initial weight 5.05 ± 0.03 g) were stocked evenly into eighteen RAS tanks, maintaining stocking density of 6000 g/m3. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in total ammonia-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) levels in the culture water from T1 to T6. However, phosphorus (PO43-) levels did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05) among the different treatment groups. The gill superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, indicators of oxidative stress, were elevated (p < 0.05) in T5 and T6, while liver CAT activity, crucial for hydrogen peroxide detoxification, also increased significantly (p < 0.05). The T4 group (34% CP, 10% lipid) exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher specific growth rate and lower NH3-N, NO2-N, and NO3-N levels compared to other groups. Therefore, a diet of 34% CP and 10% lipid is recommended for GIFT fingerlings in RAS to promote growth and to minimise nitrogenous waste.

The fisheries sector plays an important role in generating income and employment among the coastal population, especially for women from economically weaker sections of society. Skill development training on hygienic fish and shellfish drying using solar cum-electric backup dryer has the potential to facilitate self-employment, particularly in rural areas where other employment avenues are scarce. A survey was conducted among 50 women beneficiaries who participated in the hands-on training cum demonstration program organized by the ICAR-CIFT, collaboration in and installed solar dryer with KVK Sikkal, Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu and KVK-Madur, Karaikal, Puducherry, where solar dryers were also installed. The economics of operating the 10 kg capacity solar-cum-electric backup dryer were assessed, considering the capital investment. Income from the hygienic drying processes of locally available fishes (mackerel, ribbon fish and anchovy) and shellfish (shrimp), following strict protocols on cleaning, drying, packaging and marketing the dried fish and shellfishes to nearby markets as well as through KVK sale counters, was estimated at `21,093 per household per annum. Since the dryer can be operated by both electric and solar power, it helps save electricity consumption worth `10,125 per annum, depending on the number of sunny days in the region.

Valorization of fish processing waste is critical for enhancing seafood processing and addressing environmental concerns. This study investigated the production of flavourzyme-mediated fish protein hydrolysate (FMPH) from the skin of Priacanthus hamrur (bull’s eye) under optimized conditions. The degree of hydrolysis and yield of FMPH were reported as 19.94 ± 0.23% and 10.52 ± 0.24%, respectively. Proximate analysis of FMPH indicated a high protein content of 91.07 ± 1.32%, low lipid content of 3.25 ± 0.30%, and ash content of 3.29 ± 0.24%. The bulk density and tapped density of FMPH were determined to be 0.29 ± 0.02 g/cm3 and 0.34 ± 0.03 g/cm3, respectively. The Hausner ratio (1.16 ± 0.15) and Compressibility Index (12.82 ± 0.64) of FMPH fell within the typical ranges of 1.12–1.18 and 11–15, respectively, indicating favourable flowability and moderate compressibility. FMPH exhibited exceptional solubility across various pH levels, with the highest solubility of 83.77 ± 0.90% at pH 7.0. The FMPH demonstrated significant water-holding capacity (0.96 ± 0.06 mL/g) and oil-holding capacity (2.51 ± 0.03 mL/g), along with notable foaming and emulsifying properties. Thisstudy demonstrated the feasibility of transforming P. hamrur skin into a high-value hydrolysate with superior functional properties, thereby supporting the sustainable utilization of fish by-products. The results highlight the potential of FMPH for application in nutraceutical, functional food, and biopharmaceutical formulations.

Fish is a vital component of the human diet, offering a rich array of essential nutrients. Among the various species consumed, tuna stands out due to its high protein content. These proteins, when hydrolyzed into peptides, find wide-ranging applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their enhanced bioavailability and functional properties. The present study investigated fortification of cookies with fish-derived peptides obtained from tuna meat (Euthynnus affinis), hydrolyzed using papain to a degree of hydrolysis of 24.07%. Cookies were prepared in five formulations: a control (C0 ) and four peptide-enriched variants (C1 –C4 ), containing 0.431 g to 1.7 g of peptide-derived protein per cookie. Compared to the control, fortified cookies showed significant changes. The diameter of fortified cookies increased from 4.1 to 5.3 cm, while the weight decreased from 20 g to 17.8 g. The spread ratio reduced from 4.0 to 3.65 with increasing peptide levels. Hardness increased from 17.46 to 25.77 N, while the breaking force rose from 3.3 to 4.01 N. Sensory evaluation confirmed that all peptide-enriched cookies were acceptable, with no bitterness detected even at the highest peptide concentration. These findings highlight the potential of tuna-derived peptides as a functional ingredient in bakery products, offering enhanced nutritional and textural properties without compromising sensory appeal.

This study successfully optimized the microwave processing conditions—namely microwave power, temperature, and drying time—for producing high-quality squid jerky with desirable moisture content and overall sensory acceptability. A 23 factorial experimental design was formulated, and a first order response regression model with interaction was developed for identifying the optimum microwave process condition with respect to moisture content and sensory attributes. The optimum microwave processing condition was found to be 530W at 60oC with 50 minutes of drying time. Following process optimization, the nutritional profiling and quality evaluation of squid jerky was done with respect to biochemical and microbiological parameters. The histamine content of the squid jerky was found to be within acceptable limits, ensuring food safety. The findings highlight that the optimized microwave process not only improved the nutritional profile but also enhanced the overall quality of the squid jerky, making it a viable method for producing a shelf-stable product.

Squalene, a triterpenoid compound, possesses potent bioactivities by virtue of its high degree of unsaturation. In the present study, stable squalene microparticles prepared via spray drying-mediated encapsulation were subjected to a detailed nutritional assessment in male Wistar albino rats. Experimental animals were divided into four groups– I, II, III and IV, and were fed encapsulated squalene at the rate of 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The treatment groups fed with encapsulated squalene showed improved weight gain percentage and specific growth rate. Squalene supplementation could also lower cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein levels, suggesting its cardioprotective property. The findings of the study indicate thatencapsulated squalene powder can be effectively used as a dietary supplement for improved growth performance along with lipid-lowering attributes.

Aeromonas spp. are responsible for causing hemorrhagic septicemia resulting in significant mortalities in carp aquaculture. Among the different species, Aeromonas veronii is considered as a significant pathogen and is second only to A. hydrophila in causing severe economic losses to freshwater fish farmers. The present study was carried out to isolate and identify A. veronii from freshwater fishes in Andhra Pradesh, India. In addition, both in vivo and in vitro pathogenicity assays were performed to assess its virulence. A total of 95 A. veronii strains were meticulously isolated from 80 [Labeo rohita (n=40), Catla catla (n=40)] fish samples and subjected to biochemical tests (API 20E system), PCR confirmation (amplification of 16S rRNA gene), and virulence gene profiling. The strains exhibited a genetic diversity ranging from four to eight virulence genes, with a prominent genotype (ahy+, ahp+, enol+, lip+, alt+, hly+) observed in 28% of the isolates. In vivo pathogenicity analysis indicated that 72% of the strains exhibited hemolytic activity, which was strongly associated with the presence of aer+, hly+, and ahyB+ genes. Furthermore, in vivo challenge experiments demonstrated that even Aeromonas strains with as few as four virulence genes (ahy+, enol+, aer+, alt+) were capable of inducing over 90% mortality. These findings strongly imply that the pathogenicity of A. veronii is more significantly influenced by the synergistic effect of virulence genes rather than their total number. The high virulence of A. veronii poses a serious threat to the freshwater aquaculture, underscoring the need for enhanced monitoring and management strategies.

Rohu (Labeo rohita) is regarded as the most preferred carp in India. However, maintaining its freshness during transport is challenging. Chilling is commonly used for short-term preservation, but spoilage bacteria can remain active in ice, compromising fish quality. This study aims to identify specific spoilage bacteria (SSB) in rohu during 14-day period of chilled storage. The 16S rRNA sequencing of isolates from chilled rohu identified Aeromonas jandaei as the dominant bacterial species. Further, A. jandaei spiked rohu samples confirmed it as the SSB. The study findings highlight A. jandaei as SSB in chilled rohu, which can help processors in controlling its growth through better control of temperature, packaging, or use of preservatives.