Ricardo G. Hechanova, C.E.
Aquaculture Engineer
Government Implementing Agency:
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND COOPERATION (FISHERY DIVISION)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Executing Agency:
THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO)
Presented in the following discussions are summaries of conditions of fishfarms and brackishwater sites visited and suggestions for improving the engineering of coastal fishfarms in the country, (for existing, underconstruction and proposed farms).
The various problems in relation to the engineering aspects of aquaculture in the eastern and western coasts were identified and suggestions, recommendations and solutions to problems, particulary in the engineering of the fishfarms visited, are presented.
The lack or absence of a proper plan, workable designs, material and work specifications for the farms of India has obviously resulted in waste of money, time and effort. The fishfarms visited were seen to be in need of remodelling if to make them workable and economically viable as a production farm.
The brackishwater sites have big potentials for development into fishfarms if with designs to suit the varied conditions of climate, tidal amplitude, wave and tidal influence, water quality and soil characteristics obtaining in the five site types 1.
1 Chapter D, pages 5 and 6 of Project Document and as Annexure A in this report.
The writer wishes to express his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Office Staff of the Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF), Bangalore, especially to Mr. N.P. Bhakta, the National Project Director for his superb skill in planning the visits. He was a most pleasant company during the entire mission.
The senior local officials who were our hosts in the places visited were most hospitable and cordial and they surely made my stay in the country a pleasant one.
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2. BACKGROUND TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
4. SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS MADE ON EXISTING FISHFARMS AND THE BRACKISHWATER SITES VISITED
5. SUMMARY OF SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE ENGINEERING OF COASTAL FISHFARMS IN THE COUNTRY
Fig. 1 Map of India showing the five site types
Fig. 2 Map of India showing locations of fishfarms and brackishwater sites visited
Fig. 4 A double-tube apparatus for field measurement of hydraulic conductivity
Fig. 5 Seepage meter with submerged plastic bag