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The dynamics of physico-chemical, nutrient, and chlorophyll-a variables were studied in the bloom and non-bloom locations along the off-Gujarat coastal waters to understand the variability in biogeochemistry using multivariate analytical tests. The dissolved oxygen was significantly lower in the bloom stations (3.89 ± 0.44 mgL−1) than in the non-bloom stations (5.50 ± 0.70 mg L−1), due to the biological degradation of organic matter in addition to anaerobic microbial respiration. Nutrients (PO4 and NO3) and Chl-a concentrations were recorded higher in the bloom locations at 0.83 ± 0.21 µmol L−1, 4.47 ± 0.69 µmol L−1, 4.14 ± 1.49 mg m−3, respectively. PO4 and NO3 have shown a significantly higher positive correlation of r = 0.73 and r = 0.69 with Chl-a for bloom data than the non-bloom data. The percentage variance contributed by PC1 and PC2 for both bloom and non-bloom locations were estimated at 52.33%. The variable PO4 explains the highest 24.19% variability in PC1, followed by Chl-a (19.89%). The PO4 triggers the bloom formation and also correlates to the higher concentrations of Chl-a in the bloom locations. The bloom concentration ranges from 9553 to 12,235 trichomes L−1. The bloom intensity has shown a significant positive correlation with Chl-a (r = 0.77), NO3 (r = 0.56), and PO4 (r = 0.30), but a negative correlation was noticed with DO (r = − 0.63) and pH (r = − 0.49). The study also initiates a way forward research investigation on ocean-color technologies to identify and monitor blooms and climate change–driven factors for bloom formation. The occurrence of bloom and its influence on fishery resources and other marine biotas will open many research windows in marine fisheries, oceanography, remote sensing, marine biology, and trophodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports observations of 13 giant freshwater whipray (Urogymnus polylepis) from commercial fish landings along the north‐east coast of India and updates existing records based on field observations and local social media reports. The disc width of the landed specimens ranged from 120 to 223 cm and they weighed 95–300 kg. All 13 specimens observed were mature (nine females and four males) and three females were pregnant, with embryo numbers ranging between 4 and 15. Globally, U. polylepis is listed as 'Endangered', and greater protection measures are needed in India to assist in reversing current population declines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mud spiny lobsters, Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793), were reared at four different stocking sizes and stocking densities in open sea cages to evaluate their effects on growth performance. To evaluate the effect of stocking size on the growth performance, the lobsters were segregated into four different treatment groups according to size and were stocked at a density of 300 animals per cage. To evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, lobsters of 81–100 g were stocked in four different stocking densities, i.e. 16/m2, 24/m2, 32/m2 and 40/m2. The results showed that the growth rate of (60–80 g) size group, was significantly higher compared to the size groups, i.e. 101–120 g and 121–140 g comprising of larger individuals. The final body weight, though significantly higher in 81–100 g as compared to 60–80 g, the growth performance (i.e. weight gain percentage (WG %) and specific growth rate (SGR)) were not significantly different. The density‐dependent influence on growth performance was evident in this study. The WG % and SGR during 90 days’ culture period was significantly higher in 24/m2 compared to other groups. This study provides crucial information about the appropriate stocking density and stocking size of lobsters at the field level, which would help to promote sustainable lobster cage farming by maximizing the production potential of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]