Brackish Water Aquaculture Research Articles

Prevention of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon using boiled mangrove leaf extract Sonneratia alba in laboratory scale

This study aimed to prevent White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) disease in tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon using the boiled extract of Sonneratia alba mangrove leaves. The experiment was conducted in the wet laboratory of The Research Institute for Brackish Water Aquaculture And Fisheries Extension using a plastic container of 50 L volume filled with 30 L of seawater at a salinity of 28 ppt. 30 tiger prawns/container in size 1-2.0 g each shrimp used as test animals. Prevention of WSSV disease is done by injecting the extract of Sonneratia alba from boiling fresh leaves (1 kg in 5 L of water cooked to 2.5 L) and dry mangrove leaves (300 g in 5 L of water cooked to 2.5 L). The treatments tried were: A) 1% water boiled of fresh leaves; B) 4% water boiled of fresh leaves; C) 7% water boiled of fresh leaves; D) 10% water boiled of fresh leaves; E) 1% water boiled of dry leaves; F) 4% water boiled of dry leaves; G) 7% water boiled of dry leaves; H) 10% water boiled of dry leaves; I) Positive control (shrimp injected with WSSV without mangrove extract), and J) Negative control (without WSSV and mangrove extract) which was repeated three times. Each concentration of mangrove extract was mixed with WSSV antigen solution in a ratio of 2: 1 and injected as much as 100 microliters for each shrimp. Water change was carried out every two days at 20%. Feeding is done 2 times a day as much as 10-20% of the total biomass per day. Shrimp reared for 10 days. The parameters observed included the mortality of tiger shrimp which were observed every day. Shrimp immune parameters including THC, DHC, Pro-PO, and WSSV infection were observed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The results showed that the mortality rate of tiger shrimp in treatments that did not use mangrove extracts was higher than others. as well as the mortality rate of shrimp in the treatment using boiled fresh leaf extracts was higher than those using boiled dry leaf extract at the same concentration. The WSSV concentration used in this experiment was thought to be high so that there was no visible effect of injury in the incidence of shrimp mortality at the end of the study.

Analysis of the Brackish Water Aquaculture Development in Indonesia

Brackishwater aquaculture is one of the fisheries activities that can be a driving force for the country's economy with its ability to generate profits and reduce unemployment in coastal areas of Indonesia. The development of brackishwater aquaculture can be used as a barometer in fisheries development efforts. This study aims to analyze the development of aquaculture in each province in Indonesia. This research was conducted from August 2020 to July 2021. The type of data used is secondary data obtained from the Directorate General of Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Data analysis used the quantitative descriptive method. The results of this study indicate that the development of brackishwater aquaculture viewed from the aspect of labors, land area, production, and productivity tended to be low during 2004 to 2016 but there were significant changes in provinces that were not centers of aquaculture activities (Maluku, Riau Islands, DKI Jakarta, and North Maluku) this indicates a positive situation that the province is trying to carry out aquaculture activities by facing the existing risks.

Sustainable aquaculture to ensure coexistence: Perceptions of aquaculture farmers in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Aquaculture has been reported as a global major driver for deforestation and land-use related changes in mangroves, which form one of the main components of blue carbon ecosystems. Indonesia, which houses rich and extensive mangrove forests, should consider mangrove conservation as an urgent task; however, the increasing economic pressures from aquaculture and tourism are resulting in deforestation. East Kalimantan is one of the frontier regions that is facing this balancing activity of protecting the ecosystem while maintaining the economy. Indonesia has adopted an economic policy of becoming a major producer of aquaculture products in the world, and this objective could become a threat to blue carbon ecosystems including the country's mangroves. Various ecological pressures have been caused by land-use change activities, tourism, and urbanization, as well as unsustainable aquaculture practices; specifically, brackish water aquaculture, which is often practiced for a few years before being abandoned. While regulations and guidelines regarding sustainable aquaculture practices have been established on a de jure basis, their effective implementation still encounters certain obstacles because of various environmental and social limitations. To address these de facto challenges, it is essential to increase local communities' awareness regarding mangrove status and relevant aquaculture policies, because these are critical for identifying the underlying challenges of sustainable aquaculture practices. This study conducted an empirical survey to identify and gather basic data on local residents' awareness and perceptions regarding mangrove conservation-related policies and activities necessary for sustainable aquaculture. Consequently, we identified some key relevant actions by farmers and highlighted certain elements of aquaculture policies to ensure the environmental sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem. Furthermore, residents' participation in mangrove conservation could influence their awareness regarding mangrove ecosystems. Tourism-related activities can enable the tourism sector's partial integration into mangrove ecosystem conservation activities. While doing so, aquaculture farmers' local contexts, characteristics, and criteria should be reflected to implement relevant policies effectively.

Restoration of Old Genus Name <i>Penaeus</i> Based on Molecular Phylogenetic Affiliations Using Complete Mitochondrial Genome

Genus Penaeus sensu lato has been focus of intense scientific research for several decades owing to the high market demand of this group. Twenty eight species of shrimps, were grouped in this genus until Perez Farfante and Kensely raising the former six subgenera in this genus to generic status. Being a most valuable group, this decision made considerable concern among the end users. Recently research group from ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture made a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis and confirmed the monophyletic origin of genus Penaeus . In the present article we provide a summary of the revisionary work, and currently accepted binomial to encourage practitioners to use the modern up-to-date classification.

Analysis of Competitiveness in the Field of Brackish Water Aquaculture in Indonesia

This study was conducted from August 2020 to July 2021. Competitiveness can be interpreted as the ability of a region to make it excel in producing a commodity more than any other region. The competitiveness, especially in the field of brackish water aquaculture can be known through several indicators, i.e. human resources, infrastructure, production and science and technology. This study aims as an effort to realizing fisheries development in Indonesia by knowing the competitiveness profile of brackish water aquaculture in Indonesia through qualitative descriptive analysis method. The research procedure was conducted in several stages, the first of which was the collection of secondary data at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The second stage is to analyze the primary data in the form of expert opinions or competent people in their fields. Then the last stage is to analyze the data that has been obtained during the research. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the competitiveness profile of brackish water aquaculture in Indonesia was outperformed by south Sulawesi province with a final value of 17.03, while the region with the lowest competitiveness value was Riau Islands Province with a final value of 0.05.

Regional Government Policy In Supporting The Minapolitan ProgramAs An Effort To Develop Fishery Cultivation In The Coastal Area OfThe Tapanuli Tengah Regency North Sumatra Province

This research was conducted on September 7-29, 2020 in Tapanuli Tengah Regency North Sumatra Province. The purpose of this study was to determine the current minapolitan conditions in the coastal area of Tapanuli Tengah Regency North Sumatra Province, analyzing the development of the Minapolitan program that has been implemented as an effort to develop aquaculture business in the coastal area of Tapanuli Tengah Regency, and the next objective to analyze local government policies in supporting the Minapolitan program as an effort to develop fisheries cultivation in the coastal areas of Tapanuli Tengah Regency. The research method used by the author is a survey method. The results of the study was explained that the Minapolitan condition continues to run and is one of the priority programs of the local government in advancing the marine and fisheries sector in Tapanuli Tengah Regency until now. The development of the Minapolitan program that has been implemented has been effective since 2014 and is still ongoing today. And the result of the third research is that there are three sectors of aquaculture that participate as a form of direct support from the Regional Government in the success of the Minapolitan program in the coastal area of Tapanuli Tengah Regency. Among other things the first is the development of freshwater fish cultivation, secondly the development of brackish water aquaculture business, and third namely the development of seawater aquaculture business.

Co-Infection of Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in the Wild Crustaceans of Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, India.

The present study was intended to screen the wild crustaceans for co-infection with Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, India. We screened a total of 607 shrimp and 110 crab samples using a specific polymerase chain reaction, and out of them, 82 shrimps (13.5%) and 5 (4.5%) crabs were found positive for co-infection of IHHNV and WSSV. A higher rate of co-infection was observed in Penaeus monodon and Scylla serrata than other shrimp and crab species. The nucleotide sequences of IHHNV and WSSV obtained from crab in this present study exhibited very high sequence identity with their counterparts retrieved from various countries. Histopathological analysis of the infected shrimp gill sections further confirmed the eosinophilic intra-nuclear cowdry type A inclusion bodies and basophilic intra-nuclear inclusion bodies characteristics of IHHNV and WSSV infections, respectively. The present study serves as the first report on co-infection of WSSV and IHHNV in Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, India and accentuates the critical need for continuous monitoring of wild crustaceans and appropriate biosecurity measures for brackishwater aquaculture.

Reproductive performance, salinity tolerance, growth and production performance of a cryptic species Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus

Kuruma shrimp Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus is a high-value penaeid shrimp in Japanese live fish markets owing to its characteristic colour and flavour. Although this species was believed to be the single species of subgenus Marsupenaeus, the existence of two morphotypes (Form I and Form II) have been confirmed recently. Recent studies classified the native stock from Indian coast as Form II. Four different experiments were carried out to study the reproductive performance, larval survival, salinity tolerance and growout performance of P. japonicus Form II. The reproductive performance experiment was conducted using two treatment groups comprising female shrimp differentiated by the maturity stages (T1–Early maturing and T2–Immature). Female shrimp were unilaterally eyestalk ablated to accelerate the reproductive maturation. Although no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in fecundity, spawning frequency, number of nauplii and hatching percentage between the treatments, early maturing shrimp had significantly lower (p < 0.05) latency period than the immature group (T1–14 ± 1.37 days vs., T2–25 ± 2.20 days). Additionally, larvae produced from the early maturing group (T1) had significantly higher (p < 0.05) survival rate (37.7 ± 2.7%) at PL (post larvae) stage compared to the immature group (T2–26.82 ± 2.38%). In the salinity tolerance study, PL reared at low salinities (5, 10 g/L) demonstrated similar (p > 0.05) mean body weight (BW) and survival (1.31–1.39 g, 63.3%) compared to shrimp reared at 25 g/L (1.46 g, 79.9%) at the end of 60 days. The 167 days farming trial at stocking density of 50 PL/m2 resulted in productivity of 0.55 kg/m2, with a mean BW of 20.48 ± 0.68 g and 55% survival. Low salinity production performance observed in this study indicates that the native P. japonicus Form II may be physiologically distinct from the other forms/stock elsewhere. The study also concludes the suitability of the species for brackishwater aquaculture.

Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) megalopa stage seed feed enrichment with beta carotene

This study aimed to increase the nutritional value of natural rotifer and Artemia feed by adding beta carotene sourced from carrots. This research was conducted in May 2020 at the hatchery unit of the Brackish Water Aquaculture Fishery Centre (BPBAP) Takalar. The research design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The experimental animals used were small blue swimming crab larvae (Portunus pelagicus) in the megalopa stage, which were stocked with a density of 5 individuals/L, and kept until they entered the crab stage. The expected output of this research is natural feed enrichment technology for rotifers and Artemia using beta carotene from carrots. The results showed that providing the right frequency of feed after enriching with beta carotene could increase the survival and growth of small blue swimming crab larvae. The optimum feeding frequency for megalopa stage blue swimming crab larvae was 3 times/day.

Blue revolution in India: Status and future perspectives

Fisheries and aquaculture development in India witnessed impressive growth in recent years. The country is rich in aquatic genetic resources distributed from deep sea to the cold Himalayan rivers sharing about 10% of the global aquatic biodiversity. The capture fisheries production in the country has more or less stabilised but the growth in inland aquaculture has been tremendous during the past three decades. Freshwater aquaculture contributes to about 85-90% of the farmed fish. In 2018-19, India was the second largest producer of fish in the world with a total production of 13.4 million t comprising 3.7 million t from marine and 9.7 million t from inland sector. The technological advances enabled the country to significantly enhance production and productivity particularly in the fresh and brackishwater aquaculture sectors. Recent progress in cage culture in reservoirs and mariculture in the sea offer new avenues for aquaculture diversification and development. Major constraints in capture fisheries production are depleted stocks due to habitat degradation, overexploitation, poor governance, climate change, in addition to harvest and post-harvest losses. The key problems in culture fisheries include low average productivity due to low adoption of technology, disease prevalence, non-availability of quality seed and cost effective feed for desired species. Cutting edge translational research and technology upscaling and dissemination along with improved governance, fisher and farmer centric fisheries policy support and large scale capacity building in both aquaculture and marine fisheries sectors are the key strategies for achieving the targets of blue revolution in the country. This comprehensive review of the Indian fisheries and aquaculture provides latest information on resources, sectoral production, technology intervention and policy formulations along with recommendations as well as future perspectives.

Innovative Aquaculture for the Poor to Adjust to Environmental Change in Coastal Bangladesh? Barriers and Options for Progress

More so than wealthier, less nature-dependent social groups, the poor in tropical coastal regions suffer from adverse environmental change and need new income options. With high levels of saltwater intrusion into coastal lands, innovative brackish water aquaculture (BWA) including integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) are crucial adaptation options to the expanding marine waters. This article examines how poor Bangladeshi coastal residents view BWA, and what is needed to make BWA a viable and sustainable livelihood for the coastal poor. In sites that are affected by major salinity intrusion, we used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 120 households. We examine three questions: (1) What kind of aquaculture is currently being undertaken in brackish/saline/coastal waters? (2) Do poor coastal residents see BWA (and, by implication the hitherto fairly unknown IMTA) as a viable and sustainable livelihood? (3) What is needed to make BWA a feasible and promising livelihood in Bangladesh? Our results show both information and perception biases obstruct in particular coastal poor women and men from engaging with innovative BWA. Their knowledge on ecosystem-based aquaculture was scarce and their views of aquaculture were related mainly to previous experiences with shrimp monoculture and its polarizing socio-economic effects. We propose some strategic fields of action to develop innovative BWA that also benefits coastal Bangladesh’s poorest people.

Socio economic assessment of brackish water aquaculture business in Aceh Tamiang Regency

Brackish water aquaculture is an essential business in Aceh Tamiang Regency. Data and information about the brackish water business collected from selected villages in four regencies from April until August 2020. In 2019, the brackish water farmers run their business 91.1% as the traditional type of aquaculture, 2.0% as semi-intensive, and 6.9% as intensive practices. The traditional brackish water farm is depending on “toke” as the source of funding. Meanwhile, the last two types of businesses grew with rent and sharing system. The brackish water activities only give limited benefits to the local community because they highly depend on other regions for seed, feed, pesticides, and labor, and the local institution supports the brackish water business not yet created. This research recommends: the village’s government should develop and implement the regulation for the involvement of local people in business activities; the brackish water institution should be created in the location especially for water management, control water pollution, and sources of various information regarding brackish water business. The Village Business Agency (Badan Usaha Milik Gampong) should improve its capabilities and play a role in the village’s brackish water business.

The effect of ethanolic extracts Ulva lactuca on growth performance and survival rate of milk fish (Chanos chanos)

Ulva lactuca is an algae that is a source of protein for fish and can increase resistance to disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ethanolic extracts Ulva lactuca on growth and survival rate of milkfish (Chanos chanos). This research was conducted at Brackish Water Aquaculture Development Center, Ujung Batee, Aceh, Indonesia on April-March 2019. Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 4 replication, namely A (0 ppm), B (100 ppm), C (200 ppm), D (300 ppm), E (400 ppm), F (500 ppm). The parameters measured were absolute weight growth, absolute length growth, specific growth rate, survival rate and water quality. The ANOVA test results showed that the Ulva lactuca extract had a significant effect (P<0.05) on absolute weight growth, absolute length growth and specific growth rate but had no effect (P>0.05) on the survival rate of milkfish (Chanos chanos). The concentration of 500 ppm extract Ulva lactuca (treatment F) produced the highest on absolute weight growth (1.52 g), absolute length growth (1.96 mm), specific growth rate (0.30 %/day), and survival rate (96%).

The Substitution of soybean meal by fermented tofu dregs in the milkfish (Chanos chanos) diet

This study aims to investigate the effect of fermented tofu dregs as feed raw material to substitute soybean flour in the milkfish (Chanos chanos) formulated feed. The research was conducted from April to May 2019 at the Ujung Batee Brackish Water Aquaculture Center, Mesjid Raya District, Aceh Besar Indonesia. A total of 200 milkfish (Chanos chanos) fry from 1-2 cm total length were randomly put in a volume of 25 liters per container. Fish were fed at 3 % body weight daily to apparent satiation twice a day (9:00 and 16:00) for 40 days. A completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications was used with different fermented dregs tofu substitution rate ie, 0% (A), 5% (B), 10% (C), 15% (D) and 20% (E). ANOVA test results showed that the substitution of soybean flour with different doses of fermented dregs flour showed significant different (P<0.05) in absolute weight gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate, feed conversion rate and feed utilization rate. However there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the survival rate of the fish in all the treatments. It is concluded that the recommended concentration of fermented dregs tofu added into milkfish (Chanos chanos) diet was 10%.

Study of salinity infiltration in soil due to vannamei shrimp farming in the adjoining area of Contai, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India and its immediate economic effect

Brackish water aquaculture (presently vannamei shrimp farming) has been increasing rapidly due to gain of higher profits than traditional agriculture or fishery in the coastal areas and it has been playing important roles on the socio-economic development of Contai under Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. It provides quick economic benefits with earning of foreign currency and simultaneously alleviates poverty through employment-generation, creates scope of engagement for the rural and marginal villagers. Although vannamei shrimp farming has contributed a positive impact on the socio-economic scenario of the area, nevertheless has always been subjected to lots of negative environmental consequences as well as thousands of questions regarding crop-productivity, future food-security and challenges towards sustainable development. Substantial leakage, seepage, and overflow of saline water into the nearest agricultural lands has been diminishing the fertility and crop-productivity. As a result, areas of agricultural land are being reduced and land-conversion to shrimp farms is increasing the rise. The rapid increase of farming area has direct and indirect effect especially on agriculture. Moreover, due to continued shrimp farming in the same plots the soil properties of those ponds along with species composition have been changing and those lands are badly becoming barren. As an immediate effect, yield of shrimp as well as income from this sector is reducing with each year.

The performance of Chlorella vulgaris growth on mass-scale cultivation

Phytoplankton have many benefits, including as a primary producer, natural food, bioindicator, and water pollution treatment. For this reason, their availability needs to be managed, one of which is through cultivation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mass scale cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris. The research was conducted at the Technical Implementation Unit of Freshwater and Brackish Water Aquaculture, Situbondo, using a descriptive method. The data were analyzed statistically using MS. Excel 2016 software, and a multiple linear regression test was carried out to determine the effect of water quality parameters on the growth of C. vulgaris using the SPSS 16.0 application. The cultivation process started from strain preparation, water preparation, tank and culture media preparation, inoculation, fertilization, and then harvesting. The initial density of C. vulgaris used was 145x104 Cell. mL-1 in tank 1 and 188x104 Cell. mL-1 in tank 2. The results showed that the cell density value of C. vulgaris increased every day until it entered the exponential phase, namely on the 4th day of the culture activity, which was 507 x 104 in tank 1 and 536 x 104 Cell. mL-1 in tank 2. Furthermore, the value of water quality parameters that affected the growth of C. vulgaris in tank 1 and tank 2 was dissolved oxygen of 4.82-6.97 mg. L-1, pH 8.2-9.1, transparency of 20-45 cm, temperature was 26.8-28.2 oC, nitrate of 0.10-0.50 mg. L-1, phosphate of 0.75-2 mg. L-1, and salinity of 30-39 ppt.

Potential Sources of Ammonium-Nitrogen in the Coastal Groundwater Determined from a Combined Analysis of Nitrogen Isotope, Biological and Geological Parameters, and Land Use

The origin of ammonium-nitrogen in Indonesian coastal groundwater has not been intensively examined, meanwhile the elevated concentration remains a concern. This research aims at tracing the potential sources of ammonium-nitrogen in the groundwater of Indramayu, Indonesia where groundwater is vital for livelihood. From results, a combined examination of nitrogen isotope, coliform bacteria, land-use, and geology confirmed the natural and anthropogenic origins of ammonium-nitrogen in the groundwater. In the brackish-water aquaculture region, groundwater has δ15NNH4 values from +1.8 to +4.8‰ signifying that ammonium-nitrogen is derived from mineralization of organic nitrogen to ammonium. Furthermore, ammonium has a significantly positive relationship with sodium indicating the exchangeable ammonium is mobilized to groundwater via cation exchange. Meanwhile ammonium-nitrogen from anthropogenic waste was detected in agricultural and residential region. The groundwater has more varied δ15NNH4 values, from −2.9 to +16.1‰, which implies attenuation of ammonium-nitrogen from several sources namely manure, mineral fertilizer, sewage, and pit latrines. Also, the presence of E. coli confirms the indication of human and animal waste contamination. However, since ammonium has no relationship with sodium, cation exchange is not feasible and ammonium-nitrogen flows into the groundwater from anthropogenic sources along with liquid wastes.

White Spot Syndrome Virus Benefits from Endosomal Trafficking, Substantially Facilitated by a Valosin-Containing Protein, To Escape Autophagic Elimination and Propagate in the Crustacean Cherax quadricarinatus.

As the most severely lethal viral pathogen for crustaceans in both brackish water and freshwater, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has a mechanism of infection that remains largely unknown, which profoundly limits the control of WSSV disease. By using a hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) stem cell culture from the red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus suitable for WSSV propagation in vitro, the intracellular trafficking of live WSSV, in which the acidic-pH-dependent endosomal environment was a prerequisite for WSSV fusion, was determined for the first time via live-cell imaging. When the acidic pH within the endosome was alkalized by chemicals, the intracellular WSSV virions were detained in dysfunctional endosomes, resulting in appreciable blocking of the viral infection. Furthermore, disrupted valosin-containing protein (C. quadricarinatus VCP [CqVCP]) activity resulted in considerable aggregation of endocytic WSSV virions in the disordered endosomes, which subsequently recruited autophagosomes, likely by binding to CqGABARAP via CqVCP, to eliminate the aggregated virions within the dysfunctional endosomes. Importantly, both autophagic sorting and the degradation of intracellular WSSV virions were clearly enhanced in Hpt cells with increased autophagic activity, demonstrating that autophagy played a defensive role against WSSV infection. Intriguingly, most of the endocytic WSSV virions were directed to the endosomal delivery system facilitated by CqVCP activity so that they avoided autophagy degradation and successfully delivered the viral genome into Hpt cell nuclei, which was followed by the propagation of progeny virions. These findings will benefit anti-WSSV target design against the most severe viral disease currently affecting farmed crustaceans.IMPORTANCE White spot disease is currently the most devastating viral disease in farmed crustaceans, such as shrimp and crayfish, and has resulted in a severe ecological problem for both brackish water and freshwater aquaculture areas worldwide. Efficient antiviral control of WSSV disease is still lacking due to our limited knowledge of its pathogenesis. Importantly, research on the WSSV infection mechanism is also quite meaningful for the elucidation of viral pathogenesis and virus-host coevolution, as WSSV is one of the largest animal viruses, in terms of genome size, that infects only crustaceans. Here, we found that most of the endocytic WSSV virions were directed to the endosomal delivery system, strongly facilitated by CqVCP, so that they avoided autophagic degradation and successfully delivered the viral genome into the Hpt cell nucleus for propagation. Our data point to a virus-sorting model that might also explain the escape of other enveloped DNA viruses.

Identification of Suitable Aquaculture Sites Using Large-Scale Land Use and Land Cover Maps Factoring the Prevailing Regulatory Frameworks: A Case Study from India

Identification of a suitable site is a crucial step for the sustainability of an aquaculture venture. This study shows a framework for identifying areas suitable for freshwater and brackishwater aquaculture in India while integrating the governing regulations. Land use and land cover (LULC) maps at 1:10,000 scale derived from high-resolution imagery were used as base maps, along with allied layers. Site selection criteria were identified through review. Multi-criteria evaluation technique was used to select the technically suitable sites. Coastal regulation zone and coastal aquaculture authority guidelines, which form the regulatory framework governing brackishwater aquaculture in India, were spatially applied on the technically suitable sites to locate sites complying with regulations. The analysis was carried out using layers in the vector geographical information system format. The study was done in one coastal block each from two coastal states along the east coast of India, viz. Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The study identified areas suitable for brackishwater aquaculture in the selected blocks of Odisha (Ersama block: 86 ha) and Tamil Nadu (Pattukottai block: 343 ha). Areas suitable for freshwater aquaculture in Ersama and Pattukottai were 4286 ha and 6265 ha, respectively, while the areas suitable for freshwater aquaculture with interventions, in the respective blocks, were 487 ha and 2467 ha. In context of scarce land availability for aquaculture and stringent laws governing it, we demonstrate utility of large-scale LULC maps for identifying sites suitable for freshwater and brackishwater aquaculture, through a multi-criteria approach.

The role of mangrove ecotourism towards the environmental sustainability in Bangka Regency

The exploitation of natural resources becomes an undeniable reality to fulfil the need and to improve economic growth. Excessive exploitation has threatened environmental sustainability. Creating ecotourism related to sustainability, education, economy and participative movement of society becomes solution to tackle the issue. The study aims to analyse the role of mangrove ecotourism towards environmental sustainability. Qualitative descriptive with interactive analyses was used as the method of the study. Observation and in-depth interviews were employed as the data collection technique. The study discovered that ecotourism mangrove played a vital role in ensuring environmental sustainability. It showed that tourism awareness groups built the tourist attraction by utilizing the 40 ha of mangrove forest. It implied that the livelihoods of society had altered from tin mining into the brackish water aquaculture. This had decreased the number of natural resource exploitation of tin mining