Fisheries Research Centre

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Fisheries Research Centre 
The Assam Agricultural University had initiated fisheries research way back in 1974 through implementation of an ICAR ad-hoc scheme under the Dept. of Entomology (erstwhile Dept. of Zoology) of the Faculty of Agriculture. In 1982 a separate wing for fisheries research was created under the Directorate of Research (Agri.) by establishing the Fisheries Research Unit, presently the Fisheries Research Centre (FRC) at the University headquarters at Jorhat, Assam. As per the decision of the Academic Council of the University, the FRC was transferred to the Directorate of Research (Veterinary) in January 2024.<br><br>
The mandates of the FRC are:<br><br><ul class="list-group">
   <li class="list-group-item">To generate technologies for increasing fish production and conservation of aquatic biodiversity of the state.</li>
   <li class="list-group-item">To disseminate generated technologies to the end users through extension machineries of the University and the Govt. of Assam.</li>
   <li class="list-group-item">To impart fisheries education to bonafide students and entrepreneurs.</li>
   <li class="list-group-item">To provide support services for development of fisheries in the stare.</li>
</ul>
Projects
    • GIZ sponsored project on "Assessment of Agro-ecology-based cropping systems and natural bio-inputs for soil health improvement and product quality enhancement in Assam",
    • sponsored project on "Induced breeding technology of Anabas testudineus",
    • IIT sponsored project on "Design Innovation Centre (DIC) project on Development of automatic fish seed grader cum counter", project cost Rs.6.00 Lakh
    • DIC-IIT, Guwahati sponsored project on "Development of automatic fish seed grader cum counter",
    • Revolving fund of FRC, AAU sponsored project on "Development of Low cost Aquaponics model as a component of integrated poultry fish farming system",
    • NPFR (DoR Vety) sponsored project on "Complimentories of Livestock fish farming system- with particular reference to Goat-fish farming", implemented in 2011. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • RKVY sponsored project on "Advanced breeding of carps through enhancement of environmental temperature by using UV stabilized LDPE film", implemented in 2011. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • RKVY sponsored project on "Technology show casing on integrated three tier poultry-pig-fish farming system", implemented in 2011. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ICAR sponsored project on "AICRP on Integrated Farming System", implemented in 2008. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • DBT/ Ministry of Science &Technology, GoI sponsored project on "DBT’s Bioresource Complex for women", implemented in 2006. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ICAR sponsored project on "Studies on herbicide persistence in water (AICRP on Weeds)", implemented in 2006. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • AACP/ World Bank sponsored project on "Utilization of homestead ponds for culture of small fish species", implemented in 2006. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • AACP, World Bank ( ATMA) sponsored project on "Adaptive trial on Fishery", implemented in 2006. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • DARE/ ICAR sponsored project on "Seed Production of Cat fish (magur) under the project “Seed production in Agricultural crops & Fisheries”.", implemented in 2006. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Farmers participatory small scale aquacultural research and extension in tribal village of Amsoi.", implemented in 1999. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Aquacultural skill development of NGOs in Assam", implemented in 1999. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Intensive culture of carps.", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Production potentialities of modified semi-intensive culture and integrated rice-fish and fish-livestock farming technology", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Low cost technologies for transport of brood fish and fish seed using herbal anesthetics.", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Propagation and intensive rearing of magur and singi under the climatic conditions of Assam", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Formulation of fish feed with reference to situational factors in Assam", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Propagation and culture of some indigenous fish species of Assam", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Pilot project on techno-economic viability of desilting of beels", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ARIASP (World Bank) sponsored project on "Farming system Research", implemented in 1997. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
    • ICAR sponsored project on "Improved technology of synchronous rice fish farming", implemented in 1996. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bibha Chetia Borah)
Achivements

  •   Location specific technology for Semi- intensive culture of composite carp involving modification of species composition and stocking time, fertilization and liming schedule and use of stunted yearling was developed. The yield potential of the technology is above 4000 kg/ha/year.

  •    The
    technology is developed foe the flooded effected ponds of the state, which
    otherwise remain fallow. This involved nutrient management and rearing of cold
    and turbidity tolerant species for short period. This technology has a yield
    potential of about 1500 kg/ha/year.

  • The carp Hatchery- AAU model is an innovative
    model of carp hatchery developed by the Fisheries Research Centre, Assam
    Agricultural University, Jorhat in 1995. This hatchery is suitable for medium
    scale operation with capacity around 20 lakh spawn per operation. Initially
    this carp hatchery was named as BBL-95 carp hatchery. Which was subsequently
    known as AAU Model Hatchery after improvisation and incorporation of an
    additional hatching pool in 2011. The performance of the hatchery has been
    continuously studied by the centre since 1996 for its commercial application
    and is found to be very efficient in terms of operational cost, production,
    management, and overall economics. The hatchery model has been established in
    several part of the state and has been running successfully. 

  • Technology
    for direct integration of fish farming with pig husbandry was developed for
    Assam Condition. Pigsty was designed for facilitating easy drainage of waste
    material to the pond, constructed using locally available material like bamboo
    and thatch with PCC floor. 

  • Technology for direct integration of fish farming with duck raising was developed for Assam Condition. Duck house was designed facilitating construction using locally available material like bamboo and thatch etc.
  • Technology for direct integration of fish
    farming with poultry (both broiler and layer variety) farming was developed for
    Assam Condition. Poultry house was designed facilitating direct use of poultry
    dropping as manure. In addition to low-cost poultry house (constructed with
    bamboo and thatch) concrete structure also recommended for longer life, easy
    operation and overall higher economic return on long run. 

  • Technology
    for three tier integration of fish farming, poultry farming and pig husbandry
    was developed for Assam Condition. Two tier houses for keeping poultry
    (up-stair) and pig (down-stair), was designed usually locally available
    material like bamboo and thatch with PCC floor. This system involves 100%
    ration to the poultry stock, use of poultry waste (dropping and left over feed)
    as 40% supplement to the pig stock and use of pig dropping as manure to the
    pond. This is an excellent example of efficient recycling of farm waste while
    reducing the production cost of commodities and increasing overall farm income. 

  •     The
    technology for integration of fish farming with rice cultivation under
    perennial, synchronous, and enclosure system was developed. Under perennial
    system integration of two crops of rice i.e. Ahu (Winter) and Sali
    (Sumer) and one crop of fish is done throughout the year. The system is
    suitable for very low-lying areas.



    ü Under
    synchronous system     integration of one crop of rice i.e.
    Sali (Summer) and one crop of fish is done during only summer season. The
    system is suitable for medium low-lying area.



    ü Under
    enclosure system     one crop of deep-water paddy (Bao) and
    one crop of fish is integrated during summer season. Enclosure was designed by
    using locally available material for protecting the fish crop. The system is
    suitable for typical deep-water condition. Suitable rice species were also
    identified for different system. 

  •      Suitable
    horticultural/ plantation crops for raising in integration with fish farming
    were identified and economics was projected. Different model was developed
    incorporating different horticulture/ plantation crop on the basis of available
    land and other criteria. 

  • Low-cost technology for management of cross
    breed dairy cattle along with fish pond and fodder crop was developed. This
    technology can yield at least 3500 kg fish besides increasing milk production
    through feeding milch cow with nutrient rich fodder grown on pond embankment
    and adjoining areas.
  • Low-cost prophylactic measures against Epizootic
    Ulcerative Syndrome were developed and treatment of EUS using locally available
    agent like potassium permanganate and copper sulphate is recommended with early
    detection of the disease.
  • OP compounds were found safe for fish and
    consumers when applied in rice-fish system in recommended dose foe control of
    different pest in rice farming.
  • A package of therapeutic measure for prevention
    and treatment of common disease of farmed fish in NE region was developed. 
  • Technology for intensive farming with stocking density and mechanical aeration and
    balanced feeding has been evolved with a production potentiality of 15,000
    kg/ha/year. 
  • Technology for induced breeding of magur was
    developed with suitable modification of simplification to meet the requirement
    of the farmers. Induced breeding and seed production of magur is going on in
    the centre since 2006-07, which benefitted the farming community immensely.
  • Technology for induced breeding and rearing of
    indigenous minor carp Cheni puthi (    Puntius sarana sarana) was developed.
    The technology involves administration of inducing hormone along with
    manipulation of environmental condition followed by incubation of adhesive eggs
    and nursing of spawn under controlled condition. Efficiency of the species as a
    component of composite carp culture was also studied.
  • Technology for induced breeding of singi (Heteropneustes fossilis) was
    developed. This technology involves spawning of singi in plastic through
    hormone injection followed by incubation and hatching in jar hatchery and
    nursing in FRP tank.
  • Two formulae for manufacturing of balanced diet
    of carps from locally available ingredients are developed. One formula was
    transferred to a local entrepreneur who had been commercially manufacturing the
    feed under the trade name     Balichanda. Fisheries Research Centre, AAU,
    Jorhat has been manufacturing another balanced feed for carps since year 2003
    under the trade name of     Sushama. The feed with 28-30% protein component
    has been becoming popular among the fish framers of Assam and other state of
    N.E region. 
  • Twenty-three plants having
    piscicidal/anaesthetic properties were identified based on the indigenous
    traditional knowledge and practices of different tribes/communities of the
    state. Their efficiency as an anaesthetic agent for transportation of fish seed
    and brood fish was also assessed. 
  • Basic factors pertaining to ecology and pond
    management practices, which are responsible for slow growth of aquaculture in
    the state, were identified through an extensive survey at VLEW Eleka level.
  • A silt sampler was developed for collection of
    silt sample from beels for studying soil profile and physico-chemical
    properties of silts.
  • A fountain type pond was developed for
    enhancement of dissolved oxygen content in high- density carp farming.
  • Inbreeding depression has caused major
    impediment in development of pond aquaculture in the state. To redress this
    constraints FRC developed Eco hybrid seed production technology by mating pond
    raised carp females with males from wild or extraneous stock or vice versa.
    This technology exhibited 28% higher survival of juvenile and 14% higher
    growth.
  • Technology for utilization of small homestead
    ponds (100-200 sqm, not suitable for carp culture) available in rural areas for
    culture of small commercially important fish species     viz. Amblypharyngodon
    mola    , Notopterus notopetrus & Mystus vittatus     was developed under World
    Bank funded project. 
  • Successful induced breeding of Mystus
    vittatus         was done by administering synthetic hormone Ovaprim @3ml/kg body
    weight for female and 1 ml/kg body weight in case of male in a single dose.
  • Detail study on the performance of Guppy (Poecilia
    reticulata    ) for biological control of mosquito including its breeding
    behaviour, survival and growth under the agro-climatic condition of Assam has
    been conducted.
  • The indigenous minor carp, Puntius sarana
    was incorporated in composite culture system with carps in place of common
    carp, for its omnivorous and bottom dwelling habit. Performance of     Puntius
    sarana         indicated that this species is a potential candidate for
    composite fish farming with carp.
  • Study was done on the performance in indigenous
    minor carp     Labeo calbasu and Labeo gonius as a component of composite
    carp culture was observed that both the species are compatible to other carp
    components. Incorporation of these species makes the system more economically
    viable as these species fetch higher market prices in comparison to exotic
    carps in the state. 
  • Unavailability of fingerlings during proper time
    of stocking (March-April) is a major constraint for development of aquaculture
    sector in Assam. A project on advance breeding of cultivable carps was
    initiated in 2013 under RKVY with an objective to advance the gonadal maturity
    through enhancing ambient temperature and photoperiod during winter months by
    using poly house made of UV stabilized LDPE film. Gonadal maturation of major
    and minor carps could be advanced by two months. Success in advanced breeding
    during Jan-Feb been achieved in case of minor carps viz.     Labeo gonious and
    Labeo calbasu. 
  • The conventional magur breeding technology has
    been modified to make it more profitable and farmers’ friendly by way of
    refining the dry fertilization method where in the males are kept alive in lieu
    of sacrificing them, feeding plankton and other live feed during larval and
    juvenile stage in lieu of artificial feed.
  • Amazing self-healing capacity of magur (Clarias
    magur    ) has been recorded after careful dissection of the male fish and
    taking out the tests, without giving any treatment. The finding has been
    published in an international journal. This is the first report of its kind.
    Study on regeneration of testes is going on at the centre.
  • Goat dung is an excellent manure for
    agricultural crops. However, its use in aquaculture has not been popular. To
    study the efficacy of goat manure in fish farming a project has been conducted
    under NPFR component of AAU. Under this project, the quantity of goat manure to
    be applied for optimum production and water quality management, number of goats
    to be reared for direct integration etc. were calculated.
  • Fishery based integrated farming model
    incorporating different Live-stock, Horticultural crops, Azolla, Vermicompost
    etc. with high B:C ratio and with higher rate of recycling of bio-waste,
    utilization of available land, water and manpower has been developed and
    demonstrated at FRC farm.
  • Low-cost aquaponics model has been developed for
    incorporation with livestock fish farming system. Nutrient rich water from
    livestock fish farming pond is recycled through a sand gravel media for
    filtration. Horticultural crops are grown in sand gravel media by using
    nutrient from recycled pond water.
  • A low cost induced breeding implement was
    developed to perform induced breeding of Kawoi (Anabas testudineus). The induced
    breeding of Kawoi was successfully conducted and concrete hatchery was
    developed for kawoi spawn production    .