DNA bar coding of indigenous fish species underway

Lucknow, Nov 8 (UNI) National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow has undertaken an ambitious and advanced programme of developing DNA bar coding of indigenous fish species.

The project will greatly help in the identification of fish species, patenting of marine fauna and specialised research thereon.

NBFGR has been recognised as a nodal organization under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi for undertaking advanced research programmes on exotic fish and quarantine.

Bureau Director W S Lakra informed that the DNA bar coding of about 50 fish species had already been developed and research was on for other several varieties.

Dr Lakra was addressing the nine-day 'Symposium and Training Programme on Fish Biotechnology', which was inaugurated yesterday.

Leading Australian marine scientist Dr R D Ward -- who is also Co-Chairman, Global Programme, DNA Bar Coding of Fish -- emphasised its importance towards the documentation, characterisation and conservation of aquatic bio-diversity.

Further, Dr Lakra informed regarding the recent development of vital diagnostic tools such as monoclonal antibiotics, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA finger printing and gene probes etc.

He stressed the need for developing such diagnostic tools for all the major fish diseases, that cause huge economic losses to farmers.

Lucknow Biotechnology Park Director P K Seth said fish were good indicators of water quality. ''Marine biotechnology has tremendous potential towards improving production of food and ornamental fish, besides production of pharmaceuticals from fish.

National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) Director Rakesh Tuli emphasised the need to undertake intensive research on production of transgenic fish with respect to improvement of economically important traits and production of stress-resistant fish.

Fish and aquatic fauna constitute nearly 20 per cent -- at Rs 7,200 crore -- of India's total agricultural exports annually.

The annual fish production currently stands at 64 lakh tonnes, Dr S Ayyappan, Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR had told UNI in an earlier interview.

The per capita consumption of fish in India is 9 kgs/per year compared to 12 kgs/per year globally. The country stands second in aqua-culture and third overall in fish production in the world.

''India is home to about 2,400 fish species. Fisheries can play a vital role in maintaining the 'food and nutritional' security of the country,'' Dr Ayyappan, who is also the Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, observed.

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