At Ph. D level

Research on the topic “Fisheries and biology of Oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps (Valenciennes) and Indian Mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) from Kochi and Chennai coasts” was undertaken to find out whether any conspicuous changes have taken place in the fishery and biology of Sardinella longiceps and Rastrelliger kanagurta along the southwest and southeast coasts of India.   When the fishery of both the species are considered, the analysis of the landing data along both the coasts has shown increase.  Overall, there has not been any significant differences in the morphometrics, spawning or diet composition of the species between the two locations. Thus, it appears that the oil sardine and Indian mackerel are well adapted in their locations.

At M.Phil level

A mini project of six months duration was carried out as a part of M.Philprogramme.  The title of the project is “Hydrochemical Portrait of Ithikkara River Basin, Kerala, India”

The study dealt with the evaluation of physico-chemical attributes of river water and ground water in and around Ithikkarariver, Kollam district, Kerala for two seasons, viz., December 2005 and March 2006. The water quality parameters dealt include temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, DO, total hardness, Ca, Mg, Cl, salinity, total alkalinity, SO₄, PO₄, NO₃, Na and K.

Participation in sponsored projects

1. “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability of Indian Agriculture to Climate Change”-Marine Fisheries (2007-2013).

A Network Project funded by ICAR, Govt. of India, involving 11 ICAR research institutes.   The impacts, adaptation and vulnerability of marine fisheries to climate change was initiated at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi

Objectives of the project

• To conduct basic, applied and strategic research for quantifying the region

specific vulnerability of Indian marine fisheries to increasing climatic variability and climate change

• To develop adaptation strategies for minimizing their negative impacts; and

• To identify mitigation strategies.

Responsibilities assigned

• The work assigned to me in this project includes preparation of a data base of climatic variables from secondary sources
• Collection of fish samples, mainly pelagic species like oil sardine and Indian Mackerel from fish landing centres in and around Kochi
• Biological analysis of fish samples
• Identification of plankton in the gut contents
• Analysis and Interpretation of the data
• Preparation of reports
• Preparation of scientific publications in national/ international journals

1. b) “Utilization Strategy for Oceanic Squids (Cephalopoda) in Arabian Sea: A value chain approach” (2013-2014)

Objectives of the project

• To establish a new commercial jigging fishery for oceanic squids in the Central Arabian Sea
• Develop protocols for onboard preservation and processing of oceanic squids and to enhance organoleptic characteristics of oceanic squids.
• Develop value-added products from oceanic squids and efficient utilization of squid processing waste by developing by-products such as fish meal and chitosan.
• Determine the techno-economic feasibility of commercial distant water squid jigging operations.
• Develop market intelligence on global oceanic squid markets and products. Develop export and domestic marketing channels through private partnership.

Responsibilities assigned

• The work assigned to me in this project includes assisting in the laboratory work on the biological analysis of squid samples
• Analysis and Interpretation of the data
• Preparation of reports
• Preparation of scientific publications in national/ international journals

1. “Global Understanding and Learning for Local Solutions, Reducing Vulnerability of Marine Dependent Coastal Communities (GULLS)” (2016-2017)

Objectives of the project

The project ‘Global learning for local solutions: Reducing vulnerability of marine-dependent coastal communities’ or GULLS, is an international project within the Belmont Forum and G8 Research Councils Initiative on Multilateral Research Funding.

The project goal is to encourage and assist coastal communities to adapt to climate change and climate variability through a comparative and trans-disciplinary whole-system approach to the characterization, assessment and prediction of the future of coastal-marine resources. It will identify adaptation options and strategies for enhancing coastal resilience at the local level and in doing so will contribute to capacity building and local empowerment. The trade-offs implicit in the need to address food security and conservation goals simultaneously are being assessed. The focus is on regional ‘hotspots’ of climate and social change, defined as fast-warming marine areas and areas experiencing social tensions as a result of change. These areas require most urgent attention and can also be seen as providing natural laboratories for observing change and developing adaptation options and management strategies that can also be applied to other regions. The five marine and coastal hotspot areas selected for study are in the Southern Hemisphere and include south-east Australia, Brazil, India, South Africa (Southern Benguela), and the Mozambique Channel (Western Indian Ocean) and adjacent countries of Mozambique and Madagascar.

Responsibilities assigned

• Socio-ecological study in context to coastal vulnerability and climate change
• Carbon budgeting in coastal regions
• Impact study of marine policies
• Formulation of schedules, data collection and management, analysis and report writing