Fish varieties in NE facing threat from foreign species

Barapani, May 8 (UNI) There is a danger to the indigenous varieties of fishes in the North Eastern states from different species of foreign fishes entering the country via the India-Bangladesh border, said a senior pisciculture official.

''There is a great danger to the country's aqua system from the foreign fish species, illegally brought through the India-Bangladesh border and cultured in the North East and other parts of the country,'' said Dr W S Lakra, Director of Lucknow-based National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR).

''Different foreign varieties, such as the Thai magur, African catfish and Telapia, prey on the indigenous varieties and force them to perish,'' said Dr Lakra, who was here recently to attend a seminar on ''Fish Germplasm Exploration, Cataloguing and Conservation for North East Region: New Initiatives''.

The smuggled fishes spread harmful viruses and parasites among the indigenous varieties through breeding, leading to serious damage to the ecosystem, said the scientist.

'' Two indigenous fish varieties of the North East region are already extinct now, while nine species have been declared most threatened. Other 46 species are endangered and 107 have been listed as being under threat,'' said Dr Lakra.

The director said special emphasis would be laid on fisheries development in the North East region in the 11th Ten Year Plan to make use of the water resources in the region.

The NBFGR has identified the region as one of the hot spots of freshwater biodiversity apart from Uttaranchal and the Gulf of Mannar.

''There is a need of increasing focus on development of fisheries here. A number of initiatives will be taken up during the 11th Ten Year Plan period,'' said Dr Lakra.

UNI SG KK RN 1935