Salient Achievements
The Institute has emerged as a Centre of Excellence for research on fish genetic resource management and has made significant contributions in its mandated research areas, as follows:
- Developed database on fish diversity of India containing information about 2953 finfish species.
- Developed database on Freshwater Fishes of Northeast and Western Ghats, and fish diversity checklists for eight states and three ecosystems (Western Ghats, Gulf of Mannar and Vembanad Lake).
- Developed four online databases- Fish Barcode Information System, Fish Karyome, Fish and Shellfish Microsatellite Database, and Fish Mitogenome Resource.
- Extensively explored different rivers basins and two important hotspots viz. Western Ghats and Northeastern States for documentation of fish diversity.
- Discovered forty three new fish species during explorations of ecologically diverse habitats in India during last 10 years, in collaboration with other partner organizations.
- Developed genomic resources including expressed sequence tags and gene associated markers in Indian catfish, Clarias magur and Tenualosa ilisha.
- Phylogenetic relationships of fishes belonging to important groups and genera studied through molecular markers. Initiation of whole genome sequencing of two commercially important fish species, Labeo rohita and Clarias magur in collaborative mode.
- Molecular markers for 35 finfish species identified. Genomic libraries for 6 fish species constructed for microsatellite identification.
- Produced quality seed of IMCs for supply to state fisheries department and farmers of Uttar Pradesh and adjacent areas.
- Population genetic structure of 26 finfish and shellfish species studied across the native distribution range in Indian waters which would help in management strategies, stock-specific conservation and river ranching programmes.
- Complete mitochondrial DNA sequenced in eight fish species.
- Species-specific DNA profiles of 11 Harmful Algal Blooms species (8 Dinoflagellates and 3 cyanobacteria) from Indian seas developed for their accurate and timely identification.
- DNA Barcoding of over 600 Indian marine and freshwaterfinfish and shellfish species completed. Species-specific molecular signatures of commercially important finfish and shellfish species generated to resolve taxonomic ambiguity and for accurate documentation of species diversity
- Captive breeding protocols developed for 15 ornamental fishes in collaboration with other partner organizations including College of Fisheries, Panangad. Also developed breeding protocols for six endangered fish species for conservation and sustainable utilization.
- Three legal disputes resolved based on the DNA barcoding, viz., forensic identification of pomphret (Pampus chinensis), endangered and wildlife protected whale shark (Rhyncodon typus) and sea cow (Dugong dugong).
- Developed sperm cryopreservation protocols for 30 fish species, which can provide support to captive breeding technology in the propagation assisted rehabilitation of the target species in its natural habitat.
- Ranching of endangered yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma and Malabar labeo, Labeo dussumieri in Vembanad Lake and adjacent rivers in collaboration with RARS, Kumarakom, Kerala resulted in increased landings.
- Developed in vivo and in vitro assay system for evaluation and assessment of genotoxicity of aquatic pollutants in fishes.
- Fluorescence in situ hybridization technique utilized for assessment of genetic diversity in 20 fish species.
- Completed cytogenetic profiling of 70 endangered and endemic freshwater fish species.
- Assessment of impacts of exotic fish species viz. Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, Pangasianodon sutchi and Piaractus brachypomus on indigenous fish biodiversity carried out.
- Developed pluripotent embryonic stem cell lines derived from Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis and Labeo rohita embryos.
- Developed rapid DNA based diagnostic assays utilizing PCR for Gyrodactylus salaris, G. elegans, Dactylogyrus intermedius, Myxobolus cerebralis and M. clarii.
- Promoted a new concept of 'State Fish', which led to declaration of 14 fish species as State Fish by 17 States.
- Coordinating the implementation of DAHDF and NFDB supported National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases in the country, carried out in 14 selected states of aquaculture importance, with involvement of 22 partner organizations.
- Developed diagnostic capability for OIE-listed pathogens of finfishes as well as shellfishes.
- Developed monoclonal antibodies against serum immunoglobulins of Channa striatus, Clarias magur and Catla catla, which have application in sero-surveillance and evaluating efficacy of vaccines.
- Developed cell lines from 16 commercially important food and ornamental fish species, which will have application in disease diagnosis. Also developed macrophage cell lines from catla and rohu which can be used as in vitro models for evaluation of immunomodulators.
- Established National Repository of Fish Cell Lines possessing 50 fish cell lines with financial support of Government of India.
- Contributed to the preparation of several policy documents for conservation and sustainable utilization of fish genetic resources, in collaboration with other institutes/agencies, viz., Guidelines for Germplasm Exchange; National Strategic Plan on Aquatic Exotics and Quarantine; National Exotics and Quarantine Guidelines; Guidelines for Green Certification for Freshwater Ornamental Fishes and Model guidelines for Fish and Shellfish Seed Certification in India.