54 DECEMBER 2015 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG and habitat degradation, pollution, impoundments and introduction of non-native fish species, particularly common carp Cyprinus carpio. The major problem is to determine the impact of each perturbation and to detect the vulnerable phases of the pengba life cycle, essential to fully understand the causes of the decline of this species. Progress in pengba culture over the past few years has been erratic. During the past two decades, a few eco-hatcheries have been developed for carp seed production. Millions of carp spawn, including pengba, are being produced by each of these hatcheries every season but growth and survival has been far from satisfactory. Conservation is a global-scale problem that needs financial support, proper institutional support, careful studies, correct methods and ongoing activity. Conservation and management programs must be considered on a species-by-species basis in a broad ecosystem context. Conservation of species is related to the conservation of ecosystems and their communities. Molecular markers are a powerful new tool to determine historical and extant genetic diversity among populations and to define strategies for species recovery and stock enhancement programs. Molecular markers have confirmed the impact of stocking programs on the loss of genetic diversity. These markers have also highlighted the negative impact of extensive stocking programs on dilution of gene pools. This information should be used to both restrict and direct stock enhancement programs of pengba more effectively. Information on genetic variability can be used to define populations that are at risk and which populations are most suitable for correctly planned restocking programs. The tools should also be used to show when mixing of stocks should be avoided because of loss of genetic and phenotypic adaptations. This viewpoint should be taken into consideration in all aquaculture programs established for fish conservation purposes, including that for pengba. An integrated approach based on an interdisciplinary network is needed. The regional authorities for nature conservation and responsible political leaders should also be given due importance during the implementation of rehabilitation measures. The establishment of a network for studies on pengba is essential for successful conservation of the species in India. A conservation action plan may be developed with the following strategies for more effective conservation of pengba: • An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and rehabilitation program including artificial stocking. • Studies and development of breeding environments in nature: a risk based approach to fish conservation. • Sufficient funds should be made available to allow urgent research projects, detailed field surveys and related management actions to proceed. • Improvement in induced breeding and seed production of pengba that will minimize reliance on other Indian major and exotic carps. • Improved grow-out technology and improvements in feeding and health management. • Use of molecular markers to define strategies for species recovery and stock enhancement through selective breeding programs. • Overall improvement in farming systems by promoting education and extension programs. • Campaign for public awareness and their motivation to support conservation measures. Conclusion Manipur state in India has already drawn up a strategic plan for doubling freshwater aquaculture production through an increase in productivity and area. Because pengba forms an important component of carp culture in the state, it can be expected that there will be a major increase in its production in the state. Commercialscale seed production of pengba can be achieved in captivity through induced breeding using pituitary gland extract, Ovaprim, Ovatide and Wova-FH (Table 1). Because the breeding protocol for seed production is simple and cost-effective, it can be taken up by small and marginal farmers. This technique would be useful in conservation and commercial aquaculture of this endemic carp throughout the country. In this context, the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata, India is taking up various plans for production enhancement of candidate fish species in wetlands. Notes B.K. Behera, D.K. Meena*, Pronob Das, N.S. Singh, and S. Pakrashi Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata, India, 700120 * Corresponding author email: dkmeenafnb@gmail.com References Basudha, C. and W. Vishwanath. 2002. Nutritional evaluation of chicken gut and snail meat in diets of Osteobrama belangeri (Val.). Indian Journal of Fisheries 49:211-215. Behera, B. K., P. Das, N.S. Singhand and A.K. Sahu. 2010. Captive breeding of an endemic medium carp Pengba, O. belangeri (Val.) with Wova-FH in Manipur. Journal of Aquaculture 18:23-29. Progress in pengba culture over the past few years has been erratic. During the past two decades, a few eco-hatcheries have been developed for carp seed production. Millions of carp spawn, including pengba, are being produced by each of these hatcheries every season but growth and survival has been far from satisfactory. Conservation is a global-scale problem that needs financial support, proper institutional support, careful studies, correct methods and ongoing activity. Conservation and management programs must be considered on a species-by-species basis in a broad ecosystem context. Conservation of species is related to the conservation of ecosystems and their communities.
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