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Marketing of fish seed

Until recently, the state fisheries institutions were the major channels for the
collection/production and distribution of fish seed. Due to increased adoption of
composite fish culture technique throughout India, severe shortages of fish seed supply
have been felt, and to satisfy this growing demand the Government took immediate steps
to increase the production of fish seed. Many state and private hatcheries were
established during this period and extension services were put into action to promote
induced breeding at farm level. As a result, many small and big seed producers emerged
and consequently fish seed marketing became operational. Within a few years this trade
has grown to a considerable size. There are two general patterns - the more or less
organized one through fish seed syndicates and cooperatives and the other which is
highly localised in operation. Collection of seed from scattered seed production centres
and ensuring redistribution of the collection to fish farmers in remote villages is the
responsibility of the organized sector, while a localised marketing system distributes fish
seed to nearby villages through local agents. T

Transport of live fish

For safe delivery of live fry, fingerlings and brood fish to destinations, two
systems are presently in use: the open system for short distance and the closed system for
short and long distance transport.

Conditioning and preparation for transport

After netting, the fry and fingerlings are transferred to a conditioning hapa and
kept for about 6 h with continuous and vigorous splashing of water from all sides of the
hapa. Conditioning time depends on the distance to be covered and the anticipated time
of confinement during transport. During this period they pass their remaining excreta and
the gut becomes almost empty. The optimum temperature for conditioning carps is
around 26–29°C. In the case of brood fish the application of supplementary feed should
be stopped 2 days before the proposed date for transportation. Handling during netting
and transport should not be allowed. Conditioning of brood fish in hapas is not required.
Risk of outbreak of diseases becomes high due to the stress created during transport and
hence the use of antibiotics is recommended.

Open system of transport

This is the traditional system of transport where fish seed materials are
transported in open containers. These containers were earlier in the form of earthen
hundies which have now been replaced by aluminium vessels of about 25–40 1 capacity.
Water is filled up to two-thirds of the total capacity of the vessel to transport about 1
000–5 000 early fry (12–15 mm) depending on the anticipated period of transport. Such
vessels are normally carried manually or by train. When they are carried manually, a
rhythmic jerky movement is created which keeps the water well aerated. Dead ones are
periodically removed with the help of a piece of cloth and the water is changed partially
Dr.C.V.Narasimha Murthy, JBDC, KAVALI, B.Sc., Zoology Notes 2010.
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but frequently during long distance transport. In the case of fingerlings or advanced fry
transport, the mouth of the container is always kept covered with cotton or nylon
mosquito netting material. Plastic pools and canvas bags with varying degrees of capacity
are also used for transport of fry/fingerlings and brood fish under open transport system.
These are mounted over bicycle, motor van, tractor trailer, etc., and used for short
distance transport.

Relatively bigger truck mounted open tanks are also in use with or without
facilities for mechanical aeration and/or water circulation. Such tanks are used in
organised fish seed marketing sector. Such a system offers safe transport of live fish upto
a distance of about 500 km with mortality as low as 5%.

Closed system of transport

For transporting live fish and fish seed over exceedingly long distances and from
one country to another, closed system of transport is most suitable. In this system of
transport live fish/seed materials are packed in closed containers with oxygen under
pressure with airtight seals. Polythelene or vinyl chloride or other plastic bags of various
capacities ranging from 15–35 1 are in use. The water for such use should be clean and
preferably from a tube well.
for 12 h journey in 16–18 1 capacity plastic bags
After putting the required number of fish seed in the plastic bag containing water, oxygen
is pumped into the water until it is saturated. The bag is then partially blown up with
oxygen and tied with a leak proof knot.

These plastic bags are individually packed in cardboard, metal or wooden boxes
to prevent any damage to the bags during transport. Biscuit or oil cannisters of 18 1
capacity are widely used for such purpose. It must always be kept in mind that the live
fish packets should not be exposed to temperature over 30°C. Best results are obtained
when it is kept between 20–28°C.

A simplified method suited to rural condition has been developed for fish seed
transport in a closed system where instead of oxygen, a cycle pump is used to pump
atmospheric air into the plastic bags containing fry in 6 1 of water.

A bio-gas-plant type of live fish carrier has also been designed by Patro (1968)
which consists of an outer lower circular chamber of about 1.2 m diameter opening at the
top to which is fitted the upper inverted one of slightly smaller dimension. The top of the
inner chamber is closed and, provided with a valve and air vent. The outer lower chamber
serves as a storage tank which is filled with water along with the fish to be transported
while the inner chamber serves as an oxygen reservoir under pressure. It can transport
100 kg of fish at a time safely up to 5 h, thereafter refilling of oxygen becomes essential

Dr.C.V.Narasimha Murthy, JBDC, KAVALI, B.Sc., Zoology Notes 2010.

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