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Breakthrough in India’s marine fisheries: ICAR-CMFRI unearths genome secrets of Indian Oil Sardine

In a major breakthrough in Indian marine fisheries research, a team of scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi, has decoded the whole genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps), a popular food fish. This is the first time that the genome of a marine fish species that is important to harvest fisheries in the Indian subcontinent has been decoded. Indian oil sardine is a vital fisheries resource in the Indian subcontinent, contributing substantially, approximately 10-15%, to the total marine fisheries industry in India.

 Milestone in Indian marine fisheries

This development is a milestone in Indian marine fisheries as the decoded genome will be a valuable resource for understanding the biology, ecology and evolution of the oil sardine. This critical genome data could be used to improve the management strategies for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of this fish.The decoded genome is 1.077 Gb in size and contains a total of 46316 protein coding genes. This landmark research accomplishment was achieved through the cutting-edge Next Generation Sequencing technology by a group of researchers led by Dr Sandhya Sukumaran, Principal Scientist at Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the ICAR-CMFRI. This research has been published in the high impact journal Scientific Data of Nature group.

Certification and catch monitoring

This fish is a trans-boundary resource and the whole genome information can also be utilised for certification of the fishery and identification of the origin of catch for monitoring clandestine trade and tracking the movement of this enigmatic fish.

Supports climate study

Small pelagic fishes like the Indian oil sardines can be considered as model organisms to study the climatic as well as fishing impacts on the Indian Ocean resources, as they respond to variations in environmental and oceanographic parameters. The sardines are ecologically important part of the marine ecosystem, as they form an intermediate link in the food web and serve as prey for larger predators. The genome assembly of the sardines is a valuable tool for studying how fish adapt to climate change. Genetic and genomic investigations found that Indian oil sardines exist in two highly distinct stocks, one in the Indian waters and another in the Gulf of Oman. Understanding these genetic differences could help researchers comprehend how environmental and oceanographic conditions impact this species in different regions of the Northern Indian Ocean. 

Beneficial to nutritional research

The researchers have also identified the genes involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the oil sardine, offering insights into the genomic mechanisms behind the high nutritional quality of these sardines. Oil sardines are a good source of these fatty acids, which play a crucial role in maintaining human health. The researchers behind the achievement are of the view that their findings could support scientists in finding critical leads in nutritional research and developing new dietary supplements or fortified foods that are high in PUFAs. Further, it supports studies on synthesizing PUFAs through transgenesis or gene editing techniques in organisms of choice to improve nutritional quality. 

Sea ranching of the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus under the Central Sector Scheme component of

'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY)

A total of 6.8 million green tiger shrimp seeds (PL 35) were sea ranched at Mandapam, Koyilvadi (Palk Bay) on 7th September, 2023 under the Project entitled "Sea ranching of Green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) Post Larvae (PL) in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu" funded by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India under the Central Sector Scheme component of the PMMSY. The shrimp seeds were released by Shri. M. Sivakumar, Assistant Director of Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare, Mandapam, Fishermen Association Leaders in the presence of Dr. K. Vinod, Head, Dr. G. Tamilmani, Principal Investigator of the project, Scientists and staff of Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI. The fishermen thanked the Government of India and ICAR-CMFRI for such an initiative and expressed that this activity will be helpful in replenishing and enhancing the green tiger shrimp stock in the wild. A total of 75.34 million green tiger shrimp seeds were sea ranched in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar since the inception of the Project (February, 2022). The sea ranching programme was coordinated by Dr. B. Johnson, Senior Scientist of the Centre.

Sea ranching of the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus under the Central Sector Scheme component of

'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY)

A total of 1.6 million green tiger shrimp seeds (PL 20) were sea ranched at Maraikayarpattianam (Gulf of Mannar) on 23rd June, 2023 under the Project entitled "Sea ranching of Green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) Post Larvae (PL) in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu" funded by Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India under the Central Sector Scheme component of the PMMSY. The shrimp seeds were released by the staff of Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI in the presence of Dr. G. Tamilmani, Head-in-Charge & Principal Investigator of the project. A total of 58.24 million green tiger shrimp seeds were sea ranched in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar since the initiation of the Project (February, 2022). The sea ranching programme was coordinated by Dr. B. Johnson, Senior Scientist of the Centre.

Hindi Workshop organised at Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI

As a part of the Official Language Implementation, a workshop was organized by Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) on 03.07.2023 on the topic "Common Hindi words used in office premises”. Shri Santhosh Seti, Hindi Teacher, Hindu School, Karwar delivered the lecture. Six Scientists and 14 employees of the station actively participated in the workshop. The programme was chaired by Dr. Prathibha Rohit, Head-in-Charge and Chairman, OLIC of Karwar Regional Station

                Report on the Celebration of World Environment Day-2023

Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of CMFRI celebrated World Environment Day-2023 on 5th June 2023 in the Quarters and office complex of VRC of CMFRI and Peda Jalaripeta fishing village, Visakhapatnam.In the morning hours, a tree plantation drive with staff members and their families in the quarters and office complex of VRC of CMFRI was initiated by Dr S. S. Raju, Principal Scientist and Head (i/c), VRC of CMFRI. Children and staff members actively participated and planted several saplings in the premises.In association with DHAN foundation, an Awareness Workshop cum Plantation drive along with the fisher folk of Peda Jalaripeta fishing village was also conducted between 2.30 to 5.00 pm.

 Dr. Loveson Edward L, Senior Scientist, sensitized the fishermen regarding the marine environment and climate change and how to harness the beneficial effects of climate change. Dr. Pralaya Ranjan Behera, Senior Scientist explained about the climate-smart approach needed to conserve the coastal biodiversity and to cope-up the ever-changing environmental conditions. An interactive discussion followed with fisher folks regarding their perception on climate change and the measures taken by them to overcome the hurdles they are facing due to it. The meeting ended with a few suggestions from fisher folks and ICAR-CMFRI initiatives towards environment-friendly mariculture activities to double the fisher’s income. Tree saplings were distributed to the fisher folks and a few saplings were planted along the fishing villages with the participation of fisher folks. Dr Pralaya and Dr. Leveson co-ordinated the events.