The Fisheries Research and Training Institute (Urdu: دانش کدہِ تربیت و تحقیقِ ماہی گیری) is a research institution in Lahore, Pakistan. with work centring on inland fisheries and aquaculture in Pakistan. Its role is to promote fisheries and aquaculture in the country. The institute is divided in 7 sections: Aquaculture, Biology and Ecology, Nutrition, Pathology and Disease, Chemistry, Fisheries Management, and Training.The institute is head by the Director Fisheries (R&T), Punjab Lahore and each section is headed by a Deputy Director Fisheries, each of whom is assisted by Assistant Director Fisheries.
This study evaluated the synergistic effects of taurine, lysine, and methionine supplementation in low fish meal (LFM) diets on the growth performance, health status, and liver histopathology of juvenile meagre (Argyrosomus regius). Experimental diets were prepared compared to a high-fish-meal control diet (HFM) and a low-fish-meal basal diet (LFM), which was supplemented with combinations of taurine, lysine, and methionine. Supplementing LFM diets with taurine, lysine, and methionine significantly improved growth performance (P < 0.05). Specifically, the LFM+TLM (taurine + lysine + methionine) diet achieved growth performance statistically comparable to the high fish meal (HFM) control diet (P > 0.05). Hematological analyses revealed that supplementation with taurine, methionine, and lysine significantly increased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels (P < 0.05). Histological examination of liver tissue showed that amino acid supplementation (particularly taurine) reduced liver lipid accumulation and improved liver health (P < 0.05). Moreover, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) excretion was significantly lower in the amino acid-supplemented groups compared to the LFM diet alone (P < 0.05), indicating optimized nitrogen metabolism and enhanced environmental sustainability. Economic analyses demonstrated that supplementation with taurine, lysine, and methionine in LFM diets improved feed conversion efficiency and increased economic profitability. In conclusion, this study indicates that supplementing low-fish meal diets with taurine, lysine, and methionine can significantly enhance growth performance, health status, and feed efficiency. The findings highlight the potential of amino acid supplementation to optimize nitrogen metabolism, improve liver health, and reduce environmental impact, offering a cost-effective and sustainable feeding strategy for meagre aquaculture.
PurposeIn Pakistan, a developing economy with a diverse and complex food supply chain, ensuring food safety is critical to protect public health and foster economic growth. An integrated Food Control System and alignment of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) with the food safety regulatory framework are essential for ensuring food safety and market competitiveness. This paper assesses the state of Pakistan's NQI and Food Control System, highlighting key challenges and proposing targeted solutions.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach was used, combining qualitative insights from expert opinions and policy documents with quantitative data from government reports. The analysis integrated the NQI model with an overarching Food Control System to assess Pakistan's food safety framework. A SWOT analysis was conducted to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, providing actionable recommendations for policymakers.FindingsThe evaluation highlights that the apex organizations for metrology, standards and accreditation are well-established with robust international and regional linkages. The approval of Pakistan National Quality Policy 2021 signifies a significant milestone and sets expectations for enhancing the country's NQI. Our analysis reveals key challenges, including the need for a national food safety strategy, an integrated food safety system and a farm-to-fork continuum in the food supply chain to strengthen the food safety system in Pakistan.Practical implicationsImplementing the recommendations presented in this study can lead to a more efficient and resilient Food Control System in Pakistan.Originality/valueThis study addresses a critical research gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan's NQI for food safety within the framework of an integrated Food Control System. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, guiding the development of a resilient and effective NQI that seamlessly supports the country's Food Control System.
The lack of mass culture techniques for Moina brachiate limits its use as a sustainable live feed in aquaculture. Present study was conducted to culture M. brachiate under indoor conditions at different temperatures and use it as live feed for Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fry. The isolated M. brachiate was cultured in the laboratory for 10 days in glass aquaria under two experimental treatments in which water temperature was maintained either at 28.5 degrees f 1.5 degrees C (T1) or 23.5 degrees f 1.5 degrees C (T2). Chlorella vulgaris was used to feed M. brachiate daily and the feed consumption was regularly monitored. Chemical quality parameters of the water were regularly monitored and kept within suitable range for propagation of Moina. At the end of the culture period, the maximum density of M. brachiate was found in T2 (5.92 individuals/ ml). In T1 (83.05 f 1.39%) a decrease in density of M. brachiate density was observed compared to its initial count. Consumption of C. vulgaris by M. brachiate was significantly high in T2 compared to T1 (90.54 f 3.69% and 69.32 f 11.81% respectively). Cysts of M. brachiate were observed to be formed under drastic environmental conditions with hatching time of 7-8 days under optimum treatment. In the second phase of the experiment, M. brachiate was used to feed H. molitrix fry reared in glass aquaria and resulted in 86.0% survival of fry. The findings demonstrate the significant influence of temperature on M. brachiate propagation and suggest that its culture at 23.5 degrees f 1.5 degrees C water temperature with daily feeding of Chlorella vulgaris, can be a viable live feed option for H. molitrix fry in aquaculture.
Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems requires eco-friendly and low-cost remediation techniques. Present study is based on comparing the phytoremediation potential of four macrophytes for domestic wastewater treatment, uniquely focusing on a wide array of water quality chemical and microbial parameters. Eichhornia crassipes did not show appreciable growth during preliminary phase and was, therefore, excluded from the study. During experimental phase, Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes and Polygonum hydropiperoides were cultivated in domestic wastewater filled in fiber glass tanks under four treatments for 28 days. After 14 days of macrophytes cultivation, the Chemical Oxygen Demand of the water ranged from 66.38 ± 1.72 mgL−1—75.61 ± 16.26 mgL−1 in all treatments, indicating a reduction of 65.28
Present study was conducted to investigate effect of aquaculture activities on characteristics of pond bottom soil. Nine ponds located in Sargodha district, Pakistan were divided into three groups on the basis of pond age; Group 1 (10 years old), Group 2 (2-3 years old) and Group 3 (1 year old). Soil quality parameters were significantly different at surface compared to deeper layers in ponds of Group 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Highest sand (61.74%) and lowest clay content (7.32%) was found in surface soil of 10-year-old ponds. Electrical conductivity of surface soil was 4588.83 mu Scm(-1) in ponds of Group 1 compared to 2316.67 mu Scm(-1) and 2668.00 mu Scm(-1) in Group 2 and Group 3 ponds, respectively. Results led to the inference that continuous use of ponds can lead to development of surface sediment that can interfere with optimum fish production.
