Role of engineers in the sustainable development of aquaculture industry

During the last century, fishery sector made a significant development, mainly, with the advent of knowledge in fishery science. However, the progress is still not upto the mark and not comparable to that of developed countries. Even India lags much behind China in terms of yield and total production. In the fifties scientists and planners realized the importance of engineering intervention for the development of the agriculture sector of the country. Similarly, in the eighties the need of engineering intervention for the development of the fishery sector of the country was felt. Engineering knowledge can help in the site selection, planning and design of an aquacultural farm including its components such as sluice gates, dykes, canals and other structures. The hatchery and its components also require proper engineering design. In addition, engineering intervention can help in different culture techniques and management of fish and prawn farms and hatcheries, design and operation of fishing crafts and gear for harvesting, preseration, processing, transport and marketing of fish and fishery products. Apart from this, knowledge of fishery engineering can be useful in aquaculture system and management practices, aeration systems, filtration systems, water management, breeding and hatchery systems, fishing gear and crafts, remote sensing and GIS applications in aquaculture, fish and feed processing and aquatic ecosystem and environment management. Engineering intervention needed for sustainability of fish production of the country is briefly presented in this paper.