66 MARCH 2024 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG as an ornamental fish in various countries. Producing these fish in ponds is relatively cheaper than fishing in a river. The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides is destroying the natural breeding grounds of many native fishes. Since 1999, farmers have made good money by raising small native fish in ponds, and these species are less expensive to produce than different types of carp. Various districts of the country, including Rajshahi, Natore, Sirajganj, and Sylhet, receive fish fry from farmers. Native breeds, according to them, are more resistant to disease than foreign ones (Islam, 2022). Costal and marine. BFRI staff have studied shrimp seed resources in coastal areas of Bangladesh and the impact of wild seed collection on coastal biodiversity, as well as socio-economic impacts and limitations of shrimp farming. A semi-intensive shrimp culture technique in a biosecure system was developed to prevent the risk of viral disease outbreaks and farmers are willingly adopting this technology. Further, a short (65–70 days) but improved extensive shrimp culture protocol was developed. Marginal and midlevel farmers can easily produce 1000–1200 kg/ha of shrimp using this method without supplemental aeration. Recent success has been made in producing crablets (Scylla olivacea) in BFRI’s Brackishwater Station and green back mullet (Chelon subviridis) and brackishwater catfish (Mystus gulio) induced breeding and seed production technologies were also established. Recently, artificial propagation of spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) and white grunter (Pomadasys hasta) have been achieved for promoting coastal aquaculture (Ahmmed et al. 2023). Live gene bank. A live gene bank for fish species is considered as a new concept, but the first live gene bank was established in 1962 at the Fish Culture Institute in Szarvas, Hungary. It started with the culture of common carp and was followed by 25 other species, each with a population of 30–100 individuals (Gorda et al. 1995). BFRI established a “live gene bank” in 2020 to preserve small native fishes (Islam 2022). The main purpose of this gene bank is to study the life history, characteristics and reproductive behavior of endangered and endemic fish species in Bangladesh. Proper identification of vulnerable areas based on previous studies and secondary data from local fishermen is a useful tool for site selection and collection of endangered fish species for live gene banks. As of this writing, 102 species have been added (Islam, 2022). Seaweed. Ten economically important seaweed species are found along the coast of Bangladesh (Sarker et al. 2021). Seaweed is currently cultured in coastal areas using nets and long lines. Important species on the Bay of Bengal coast include Hypnea pannosa, Caulerpa racemose, Enteromorpha sp., Gelidiella tenuissima, Halymenia discoidea, Gelidium pusillum, and Sargassum sp. (BFRI 2019, Figure 1). Pearls. Pearls are one of the most attractive objects of adoration and are referred to as the queen of jewels. In addition, pearls are also used as medicines around the world for a variety of illnesses. In Bangladesh, the popularity of pearl farming is increasing. The Freshwater Station has produced both rice and image pearls in the native mussel (Lamellidens marginalis). A maximum of 12 pearls were produced in a single mussel, with average sizes of 3-5 mm and colors including pink, white, ash and orange. Recently, these scientists succeeded in producing round and regular shaped pearls through nuclei operations, but the size of pearls in our native mussel is tiny. Economic viability will require larger pearls. The Institute recently imported a different pearl producing mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii, to produce bigger pearls (BFRI 2019). Vaccines. BFRI created a vaccine to stop the mass death of Vietnamese Koi fish raised in captivity. Causative agents (Nada virus and Rhabdo virus) responsible for recent mass mortality of shing (Heteropneustes fossilis) in the Mymensingh area have been identified. Research continues for production of vaccines to prevent these diseases. Disease outbreaks in Vietnamese koi and tilapia have also been identified as due to Streptococcus agalactiae (BFRI 2019). Genetically Improved Strains The F4 generation of BFRI Rohu, produced through family selection, exhibited 20 percent higher growth than the original stock. Named “BFRI Subarno Rui,” the strain was released on 10th June 2021. The base population was produced by a diallele cross between FIGURE 4. Linkages of BFRI FIGURE 3. Dissemination processes of BFRI innovations for growing aquaculture and fisheries.
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