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Ecosystem-based fishery enhancement through pen culture of Indian major carp Labeo catla in a tropical floodplain wetland of North Eastern Region, India, during COVID pandemic

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Abstract

The present study was conducted with the objective of developing ecologically and economically feasible pen culture protocols for Labeo catla as an alternate income source for wetland fishers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yearlings of L. catla (12.33 ± 1.99 cm mean total length and 26.05 ± 6.57 g mean weight) were reared in HDPE pens (500 m2 area each) at three different stocking densities of 3 (SD3), 6 (SD6) and 9 (SD9) no. m−2 in triplicates. Fishes were fed with floating pelleted feed containing 28% crude protein and 5% crude lipid two times daily at 1.5–3% of body weight. During the culture period, fish grew from 26.05 ± 6.57 to 434.61 ± 30.63 g, 306.13 ± 10.68 g and 221.13 ± 14.92 g, respectively, at stocking densities of 3, 6 and 9 no. m−2 respectively. Weight gain percentage and specific growth rate declined with increase in stocking density. Gross fish yield increased with increase in stocking density and was highest at SD9 (657.92 ± 53.55 kg pen−1), while net fish yield increased initially from SD3 to SD6 (594.31 ± 29.72 kg pen−1) and then declined with further increase in stocking density. Important water quality parameters influencing fish growth were measured, and significant difference (p > 0.05) was not observed between treatments (inside pens) and reference site (outside pen at 10-m distance). Weight gain was positively correlated (p < 0.05) to water temperature (r = 0.989) and total phosphorus (r = 0.81). Benefit cost ratio and net return was highest at SD3 (1.61; US $518.88, respectively). Stocking density of 3 no. m−2 can be considered economically feasible for table fish production of L. catla in pens. Post pen culture, monthly income of fishers increased by 10.76−179.11%, with a mean increase of 90.57%, compared to the period of first COVID-19 wave in India. The present findings can provide an impetus for effective utilization of pen enclosures for income generation and livelihood enhancement of small-scale wetland fishers during pandemic.

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Data availability

The data generated in the present study have been submitted to ICAR-CIFRI data repository and can be obtained from the Institute through proper channel and with due permission from competent authority.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the funding support from ICAR under NEH Component. The cooperation of Urpad Beel Meen Palan Co-operative Society, Goalpara, Assam, and Department of Fisheries, Goalpara, Assam, towards the implementation of project activities is greatly acknowledged. The authors acknowledge the support of Manisha Bhor, YP-II, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore for her assistance in preparing GIS maps.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute Regional Centre, Guwahati, Assam, 781006, India

    Simanku Borah, Birendra Kumar Bhattacharjya, Anil Kumar Yadav, Pronob Das & Shyamal Chandra Sukla Das

  2. ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700120, India

    Basanta Kumar Das, Dharmendra Kumar Meena, Pranaya Kumar Parida, Mishal Puthiyottil, Raju Baitha & Uttam Kumar Sarkar

  3. ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute Regional Centre, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211002, India

    Jeetendra Kumar

  4. Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Assam, Goalpara, Assam, 783121, India

    Bhrigumani Dewan

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  1. Simanku Borah
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Contributions

All authors contributed in preparing the manuscript through designing of experiment, pen installation, species selection, fish growth monitoring, data collection, data analysis, water quality monitoring, drafting and revision of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Uttam Kumar Sarkar.

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Procedures and activities performed during the study period involving animals were in agreement with ethical standards of the institution. Sampling methodology and the culture activity was performed after due approval from the Institute Research Committee (IRC) of ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute. L. catla is not listed in the endangered category of IUCN and not banned for catch or culture under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Govt. of India.

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Borah, S., Das, B.K., Bhattacharjya, B.K. et al. Ecosystem-based fishery enhancement through pen culture of Indian major carp Labeo catla in a tropical floodplain wetland of North Eastern Region, India, during COVID pandemic. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 10533–10544 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31740-w

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