survey report by student of marine

INTRODUTION :

The students of Marine zoology were brought for the zoological survey to Karachi fish harbour and WWF wetland center , under the guidance of teachers we have observed fish landing areas auction palnts and fish processing plants.We have collected details and information by Sir Farhan (Deputy diretor) of Karachi fish harbour.
We have also visited wetland center (sandspit) and collected specimens of fiddler crabs from the semi arid muddy land.

Karachi Fish Harbour

It is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Karachi Fish Harbour is in West Karachi near the main port. Karachi Fish Harbour handles about 90% of fish and seafood catch in Pakistan and 95% of fish and seafood exports from Pakistan.

It is relatively well supplied with facilities, with two large auction halls which whilst not ideal could be made presentable at little cost, a smaller improved auction hall for export fish, a landing area for fish intended for fishmeal, one 40 tonne flake ice machine (most ice used is block ice and bought in by truck from outside the harbour area), an unloading wharf next to the market hall and export processing factories. Boatbuilding facilities and a slipway are on the creek side of the harbour.

Marine Fisheries Department

Marine Fisheries Department an attached department of Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Livestock Wing) was established in 1951. It is the executive fishery agency of the federal Government, with primary responsibilities for ensuring management and development of fishery resources in the interest of the nation.

Aims & Objectives
Exploitation and management of fisheries and other living resources in the exclusive economic zone of Pakistan To conduct exploratory fishing surveys and biological research on various aspects of fisheries
Study of occurrence, life history and distribution of commercially important fish species
Management and improvement fishing fleet
Introduction of newer fishing techniques and improvement of traditional methods
Training of fishermen in various disciplines including modern fishing techniques, engine maintenance, fish processing and quality control
Liaison with various national and international agencies
Collection, analysis, interpretation and publication of fisheries statistical data
Advice to federal and provincial governments in matters relating to fisheries
Provide quality control service for export and domestic consumption of fish.

Fisheries Resources & Potentials

The commercially important fisheries resources compose of some 250 demersal fish, 50 small pelagic, 15 medium-sized pelagic and 20 large pelagic fish. In addition, there are 15 commercial species of shrimp, 12 of squid/cuttlefish/octopus, and 5 of lobster. The influence of the Indus River system on the marine fisheries of the Sindh coast is substantial, as this river system has historically transported enormous quantities of nutrients and sediments onto the continental shelf.

Arrangement of Fisheries Research and Training Vessel

For sustainable fisheries management and conservation of the marine resources, the assessment of available resources needs to be monitored periodically for changes in its characteristic; particularly the effect of fishing effort is very important. Marine Fisheries Department used to have fisheries research vessel for resources survey and exploratory fishing, which have now been decommissioned. Therefore, there is a dire need to procure a new vessel for this purpose. A multi-functional marine research & fishery-training vessel of 40 m overall length is being provided by Government of Japan along with technical expertise, which will be used for stock assessment, exploratory survey and training of fishermen.

The Department has three divisions

(1)Research & stock assessment; has three units
(2)Planning & Development
(3)Fishing technology & Training

Training section has own separate two-storied building, which is equipped with modern training equipments. The building also possesses lecture halls, workshops, laboratories and a dormitory. So far Centre is providing short-term training courses on various fields of fisheries

Biological Museum

The department also possess a biological museum where a large number of duly identified specimens of marine fauna have been housed for ready reference and comparison for marine scientist, students and others stakeholders of fisheries.

Specimens include:

Family: DIDONTIDAE
Porcupine fish, Box fish, Tetradon
Family: MOLIDAE
Mola
Cow mouse (Ray), Tricanthus, Guitar shark, Tiger shark (skull), Mako shark (Taw)
Fmily: PORTUNIDAE (portunis pelagicus)
Family: XANTHEDAE (Pilmnus logicornis)
Scylla serrata, ocypodan, Metapograpsus,
Family: GRAPSIDAE (Box crab, Moon crab)
Family: NEMIPTERIDAE
Nemipterus japonicus (Japan thread fin fish)
Priacanthus boops (Long fin Bull eye, baka)

MUSEUM - Zoological Survey Department

Natural History Museum,Fish Harbour, West Wharf,Adjacent Marine Fisheries Department

Zoological Survey Department (ZSD) is an attached Department of Ministry of Environment. It is headed by a Director and is responsible to undertake faunastic surveys Throughout the country. It also responsible to maintain standard zoological collections From different parts of the country and to impart education and awareness among the Masses.

Identification and Cataloging of Reserve Material at Zoological Museum, Karachi Three taxonomists are busy for identification and cataloging of carbs, Molluse and Echinoderms in Zoological Museum Karachi. All the identified material is properly catalogued and fed in the computer to prepare database of the Museum collection. Publications.

We have observed following specimens:

PISCES:
Hammer headed shark (sphyrna), Arabian Sea

SNAKES:
Hydrophis (ornatus), offshore Karachi coast,55 sp present in the world & 14 in sindh & balauchistan.It is neurotoxic and myotoxic.
Krait n cobra (5-10m length)

TURTLE:
Lepidochelys olivacea
Chelonian mydas

MOLLUSKS
Nautilus (St.Meartin Island)
Cyprae (California, shallow water and Portuguese bund)
C.tigris
Oliva (Florida), unio, cyclophorus
Gastropods Shark (jaw) Shark (skeleton)
Mammals
Markhor
Sind ibex
Capra folconeri
Dama duma (fellow deer)
Wild cat (felis)
SUPER STAR ENTERPRISES

Here we met Mam Asifa Kanwal ,she told us about the organoleptic test (to check the freshness), different microbiological tests and grading of cuttle fish and prawn.
Prawn is washed by C.P water and go through a different chambers which is partitioned then it is wheighing ang grade according to their size.
Loligo (cuttle fish) is transported to Japan.

WWF, WETLAND CENTER


Wetland Centre next to Sandspit beach (semi-arid mangrove backwaters), outside the Karachi city limits

The Wetland Centre is located at Sandspit, West of Karachi, in the middle of mangrove forests. It is 35 minutes drive away from the city. The beach opposite to the Centre adds attraction to it, as Green turtles come to the Sandspit beach for nesting every year.

(Olive ridley turtle) (Green turtle)

The migratory birds from Central Asia also use the surrounding area of the Centre for staging and feeding. More than 125 species of birds have been recorded here. Dalmatian Pelicans and Flamingoes, Gulls, Tern, and are few of them.

To fulfill the needs of conservation of the wetlands of Pakistan and environmental education, WWF - Pakistan decided to establish a centre in 1996 with funding provided by the Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) through World Wide Fund for Nature International. The Wetland Centre at Sandspit was officially inaugurated on February 13, 2001.
The Department has three divisions,
(1)Research & stock assessment; has three units,
· The Deep-sea fishing,
· Hydrological Research and
· Biological Research units)
(2)Planning & Development
(3)Fishing technology & Training

Active conservation projects in Pakistan

Conservation of the Indus River Dolphin

This project aims to conserve Pakistan's wetlands, many of which have already been lost due to increasing human pressure, irrigation, and drainage WWF Pakistan and WWF International both identified freshwater ecosystems.

Conservation of Mangroves

Pakistan's mangroves are the sixth-largest in the world. Due to overexploitation mainly for fuel and fodder, they are disappearing very fast.