44 research outputs found
Explaining Economic Growth using Futures Trade in Physical Assets
No full textEvery country calculates and publishes the figures related to economic growth periodically. In many cases there is a lot of controversy attached to such figures. Economic growth has both economical and political dimensions. But it is difficult to approve or disapprove the growth figures since such figures are the results of a very difficult and time consuming process with high cost implications. Economic growth is stated commonly by Gross Domestic Product figures, which is the value of all goods and services produced in a country during a given period of time. Increase in goods and services produced will lead to increased economic growth. Further we assume that an increased production of goods will lead to an increase in derivative trade in goods because risk averse producers will use derivatives (commodity derivatives) increasingly to cover up possible risks. Thus theoretically we can conclude that an increase in countries economic growth will lead to an increase in derivative trade in physical commodities. Thus there will be some relationships between derivative trade and economic growth. In this paper we explore such relationships using empirical data with the use of econometric tool OLS regression technique. The analysis was done on three asset classes of futures trade such as agricultural, metals and energy which are taken as independent variables and economic growth as dependent variables. The result shows a valid relation among the variables
Length-weight Relationship of Nine Species of Halfbeaks (Family: Hemiramphidae) from the Indian Coast
No full textA total of 1325 individuals of Halfbeaks of 9 species from the family Hemiramphidae were sampled from commercial gill nets operated from the coastal waters of India between Sep 2021 and Dec 2022. The species identified included Euleptorhamphus viridis (van Hasselt, 1823), Hemiramphus archipelagicus (Collette & Parin, 1978), Hemiramphus far (Forsskål, 1775), Hemiramphus lutkei (Valenciennes, 1847), Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes, 1847), Hyporhamphus quoyi (Valenciennes, 1847), Oxyporhamphus micropterus (Valenciennes, 1847), Rhynchorhamphus georgii (Valenciennes, 1847), and Rhynchorhamphus malabaricus (Collette, 1976). Analysis of their growth patterns in Indian waters Oxyporhamphus micropterus, and Rhynchorhamphus malabaricus show isometric growth (b = 3) pattern, Euleptorhamphus virdis and Hemiramphus lutkei exhibit negative allometric growth (b 3). The b values provide insight into the growth strategy and ecological adaptations of the species and the combined sexes’ b values varied from 2.725 to 3.566. With a range of 0.93 to 0.99, the coefficient of determination (R2) indicates a strong and consistent length-weight relationship. The models fitted the data well, and length is closely related to weight in the species under study. The study provides the first estimate of length-weight relationship (LWR) for Euleptorhamphus virdis, Oxyporhamphus micropterus, and Rhynchorhamphus georgii and a new estimate for other species of halfbeaks. These findings will be useful for research on the biology, ecology, stock assessment and fisheries management of Hemiramphidae species
Mass stranding of Purpleback flying squid in Agatti Island, Lakshadweep
No full textThe “flying squids” of the family
O m m a s t r e p h i d a e ( s u b o r d e r
Oegopsida) make up over 50% of the
global cephalopod species that are
commercially exploited. Among this, the
purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis
oualaniensis (Lesson, 1830) is the
dominant squid in the oceanic waters
of the Arabian Sea and is reported to
have a complicated population structure
(viz. middle-sized, dwarf, and giant forms)
(Jeena et al. 2023). Purpleback flying
squid is referred to by the sobriquet
‘Master of the Arabian Sea’ due to its
abundance, large size, fast growth, and
dominance in the higher trophic niche
and the mean abundance of this species
in the Indian EEZ portion of the Arabian
Sea was estimated to be 4.21 tonnes/
km2 (Mohamed et al. 2018)
Age and growth of bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae), in Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Indian Ocean
No full textStatolith growth increments were analysed in the bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana lineage B, for estimating the age and growth in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GOM), southeast coast of India. The identification of S. lessoniana lineage B was determined by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequence. The statolith increment age analysis indicated that the wild-captured squid population of S. lessoniana in the study area undergoes rapid growth. The age of S. lessoniana in males ranged from 61 (95 mm dorsal mantle length (DML)) to 220 d (390 mm DML), while it was 64 (98 mm DML) to 199 d (340 mm DML) in females. The average daily growth rate in males and females was 1.63 and 1.55 mm DML d−1, respectively. The instantaneous growth rate varied from 0.85 (210 d) to 4.1% (110 d) for males and 0.65 (190 d) to 3.7% (110 d) for females. The age at first maturity was 114 and 120 d for males and females, respectively. Back-calculated hatching dates and the attainment of maturity in females suggested that the reproduction of S. lessoniana is year-round, with two distinct spawning peaks during July–August and February months; accordingly, the hatching dates were spread throughout the year, with the presence of two cohorts. Based on the statolith data, it can be concluded that S. lessoniana lineage B in the GOM has a potential lifespan of up to 7 months. This finding contradicts the previous growth estimates based on length-frequency data, which underestimated the true growth potential of this species
Integrative taxonomic study on needlefishes (Belonidae) unveils two new species within the genus Ablennes from the Indian Ocean
No full textThe needlefish genus Ablennes remains monotypic, characterized by the globally distributed flat needlefish known as Ablennes hians. Their taxonomy has been mired with ambiguities due to the greater-than-average morphological variations observed in samples from different regions. Utilizing integrated taxonomic methods relying on mitochondrial molecular markers, it was revealed that the species initially perceived as a single entity is, in fact, a complex comprising at least three different species. In this context, we introduce two new species: Ablennes joseberchmansis sp. nov. and Ablennes gracalii sp. nov., They are morphologically distinct: in view of the morphometry and meristic characteristics. A. joseberchmansis sp. nov. and A. gracalii sp. nov. display distinct differentiation characteristics from A. hians in terms of dorsal fin, nostril position, dorsal fin origin, vertebrae count, scale counts, head length, eye diameter, interorbital width, maxilla length, dorsal ray height, depth at pelvic origin, lower lobe of the caudal fin, and caudal peduncle depthcaudal peduncle depth. These variations highlight their unique morphological traits and aid in their differentiation within the genus Ablennes. We assessed genetic relationships using a Maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree, revealing three distinct clades of morphological differences in Ablennes specimens from different morphological groups. The genetic variation, as represented by Kimura 2 parameter (K2P) distances, within the three Ablennes species spans from 6.5% to 9.4%. More specifically, we observed a 7.5% genetic difference between A. hians and A. joseberchmansis sp. nov., and a 6.5% distinction between A. hians and A. gracalii sp. nov. The interspecies divergence between the two newly identified species measured at 9.4%. These findings, which showcase the genetic distinctions among the three morphologically distinct Ablennes specimens, provide strong confirmation for the existence of three separate species within the Ablennes genus of needlefish in the Indian Ocean
Size Composition, Condition Cycle and Maturation in Paphia Malabarica (Chemnitz) in Ashtamudi Lake
No full textSize Composition, Condition Cycle and Maturation in Paphia
Malabarica (Chemnitz) in Ashtamudi Lak
Ashtamudi clams fetch more
No full textEco-labelling through sustainable fishing practices
results in premium prices and ecological gains.
Short-neck clam fisheries of Ashtamudi garnered
an eco-label from the Marine Stewardship Council
(MSC), a first in India. Clams function as bio-filters
for Ashtamudi. Understanding the value chain and a
comparison between pre and post management of the
fishery points to the advantages of certification
Occurrence of large mature Diamond-back squid Thysanoteuthis major (Cephalopoda: Thysanoteuthidae) from the southeastern Arabian Sea with remarks on its biology
No full textThis article provides evidence of mature male and female Thysanoteuthis major caught from the southeastern Arabian Sea. The mature individuals had a dorsal mantle length (DML) of 570 to 670 mm. The detailed measurements of the individuals’ morphometric features and indices are presented. Microstructural analysis of statoliths showed that the female individual was 194 days old with a 3.63 mm DML/day growth rate and the male had an age of 158 and 168 days with a growth rate of 3.38 and 3.62 mm DML/day. Two parasite species were found in the female stomach identified as genera cestode Phyllobothrium sp. and nematode Anisakis simplex. The presence of mature individuals provided further evidence that the southeastern Arabian Sea may be a spawning ground for the species
lmpact of body size on bio-accumulation and depuration of microbial loads in the shoft-neck clam Paphia malabarica
No full textlmpact of body size on bio-accumulation and
depuration of microbial loads in the shoft-neck clam
Paphia malabaric
Enhancing production and sustaining the black Clam (Villorita cyprinoides) fishery of Vembanad Lake through scientific stocking/ Re-laying in suitable sites
No full textKerala is the leading producer of black clam, Villorita cyprinoides (Gray,1825). The Vembanad
Lake, the largest estuary on the west coast of India contributes more that 90% to the total black
clam landings with a mean annual production of 40,000 tonnes (2011-2020). This fishery provides
livelihood to over 5000 clam fishers. Aimed at enhancing production and sustaining the clam
fishery, baby clams were re-laid after identifying suitable areas on the northern side of the
Thanneermukkom barrage of Vembanad Lake. Suitable sites for relaying were selected based on
the water quality parameters and sediment characteristics. Approximately 140 tonnes of baby black
clams with a mean length and weight of 15.1mm and 1.7 g were re-laid by the clam fishers in
Keecheri area (lat-long 9⁰ 49’ 765” N, 76⁰ 23’ 675” E to 9⁰ 50’ 951” N, 76⁰ 23’ 406” E) of about
15.38 hectares at a rate of 9.52 tonnes/ha under the technical guidance of CMFRI. Approximately
60 tonnes of baby black clams with mean length and weight of 14.7mm and 1.7 g were also re-laid
in Chakkathukadu area (lat-long 9⁰ 52’ 208” N, 76⁰ 22’ 096” E to 9⁰ 52’ 289” N, 76⁰ 21’ 948” E)
of about 4.8 hectares at a rate of 12.5 tonnes/ha. The growth of the re-laid clams was monitored
periodically. The fishermen started harvesting around 10 tonnes of clams per day from two areas
of the Lake from December 2021 onwards. Fishermen under the Keecheri Ulnadan Matsya
Thozhilali Sahakarana Sangham collect the clams using canoes from different locations and sold
meat @150 per kg in the nearest market. Each fisher collected 450 kg of clams per day. An
estimated production of nearly 1500 tonnes is expected from Keecheri area of Vembanad Lake,
which is a 10-fold increase in the production of black clam from this part of the Lake. This relaying
efforts helped to enhance new stock of V. cyprinoides in virgin areas of Vembanad Lake and
facilitated the rejuvenation of black clam fisher
