Introduction:

Location :

Port Okha is a coastal town in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat state in India.Geographically it is location in between 22⁰ 28’0 N 69⁰ 4’0’ E. It is a peninsular place, situated on a narrow strip of land and surrounded by sea on three sides;Gulf of Kutch on north-east side and Arabian Sea on west side. It has a sandy beach on Arabian Sea coast.It has a sea port on the lee side. Historically it was the first port on west coast of India. Indian Navy, Indian Coastguard, Indian Customs, Gujarat marine police and Marine Police Academy have their operational command centre at Okha.

Historical Importance:

Port Okha is linked to Dwarka situated some 32 km south, which is one of the foremost “Chardhams” place and is one of the “Sapta Puri – Dwarawati” in the country. Bet Dwarka is an inhabited island at mouth of Gulf of Kutch situated 3 km (2 mi) off the coast of Okha.

Resources:

     12 kilometers wide belt of Arabian Sea right from Okha, Dwarka, Salaya and Alang till Jodiya is full of mysterious sea life. The southern Gulf between Okha to Navlakhi of Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts is the Marine National Park (110 sq. km.) & Marine Sanctuary (270 sq. km. from Okha to Jodhya), comprising (MNP&S) areas of 7,000 ha off Okha in the west and 4,000 ha off Jamnagar to the east.

    The MNPS supports considerable species diversity. One study reported a total of 1,127 species of flora and fauna in the MPA (The Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park and Sanctuary: A Case Study by Nilanjana Biswas). These include molluscs (including auspicious, divine and sacred conch shells “Shankh” species Turbinella pyrum/Xancus pyrum- Varity Obsetusa), turtles and marine mammals: dolphins, whales etc. There are many species of fishes, commercially important prawn, crabs, sea snakes, sea horse, Sea anemones, Jelly Fishes, Starfishes, octopus, oysters, hard and soft corals, sponges, brown, green and red algae, etc. The floral property and richness of this place is next to none in the world.

    Port Okha is spread over in 5 Km² area. The main occupation is fishing and allied business here. There are 20 coastal villages near buy Okha and Dwarka among these Okha and Dwarka are two major and important marine fish landing centers of the State. In Okha, approximately 500 to 600 local boats and 2500 to 3000 migratory boats (OBM and IBM) from different coastal districts of Gujarat are engaged in fishing. In which approximately 25000 to 30000 fisherman are involved and directly employed in fishing activities. The major catches comprised of Sciaenida (Croaker/Dhoma), Pampus Sp. (Promfret), Trichiurus sp. (Ribbon fish), Polynemidae (threadfin/Dara), Sciaenidea (jew fish/Ghol: Protonibea diacanthus), Perch, Scromberoides, Tuna, Mullets, Shrimps, Lobster, Crabs etc.

   The huge marine Saltworks situated nearby is good source of Artemia which is widely used in hatchery and other microorganisms like Dunaliella containing β-carotenoids are valuable and worth exploring for experimentation.

     Fisheries Research Station located on the northern side of Okha Township on seashore is very crucial because of geographical location and the site is very rich in marine flora and fauna diversity.

Establishment History of Fisheries Research Station-Okha:

     This research station initially established during 1969 by Ministry of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat, was named as “Marine Biological Research Station” (MBRS) basically. The main objective was to carry out survey of pelagic and demersal fishery resources along with effect of industrial effluents on the biota of the affected area and research.

    On 29th February 1992 (afternoon) this MBRS was transferred and handed over to Gujarat Agricultural University, Sardar Krushi Nagar, Datiwada.  Than after, MBRS is named and recognized as “Fisheries Research Station” (FRS), which has started functioning from 1st March 1992. Most of the research and extension activities and infrastructure were transferred to GAU except mechanized boats and resource survey scheme.

     As a result of bifurcation of Gujarat Agricultural University in to four different Agricultural Universities in 2004, this FRS is functioning under Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh.

Sr. No.	Designation of Approved post or position	Class	Number of approved post/position	Filled Post	Vacant post	Remarks
A	Fisheries Research Non-Plan Scheme B.H.:7401
1	Research Officer	1	1	-	-	Vacant from 01/12/2022
2	Assistant Research Officer	2	3	1	2	M. P. Patel is working
3	Superintendent of Fisheries	2	1	0	1	-
4	Senior Research Assistant	3	5	1	4	M. K. Bhalala is working
5	Photographer-cum-cameraman	3	1	0	1	Retired, Vacant from 01/11/18
6	Senior clerk	3	1	0	1	-
7	Junior clerk	3	2	1	1	J. R. Valvi Joined on 10/08/2021 and S. R. Patel Resigned
8	Electrician	3	1	0	1	-
9	Laboratory assistant	3	1	0	1	T. V. Kandoria transferred
10	Field man	3	2	0	2	M. H. Murim is transferred, working on pull.
11	Peon	4	1	0	1	Retired, Vacant from 01/01/19
12	Sweeper	4	1	0	1	Retired, Vacant
13	Total		20	03	17
B	Establishment Of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Plan Scheme B.H.:12417
14	Instructor (fisheries)	3	02	0	2	The Scheme is under COF, KU, Veraval and so now inactive.
15	Total		02	0	2

Research projects and schemes – ongoing  :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs of Different activities and Products:

Kappaphycus alvarezii	Raft in the sea
Fully matured seaweed	Mass scale seaweed cultivation

 

Seaweed Sargassum spp. collection and Drying

 

Liquid seaweed Fertilizer produced from seaweed Sargassum spp.

 

Seaweed Greeting Cards

 

Seaweed Herbarium Sheets
Dried and stuffed Crab	Dried and stuffed Lobster

Sl. No.	Scheme & Budget head	Details of the project and objectives
1	Non Plan: B.H.: 18025-04   Effect of Optically Active Substances on diversity in Phytoplankton Community Structure off Gujarat.	Long term measurements of bio-optical and physico-chemical parameters. To create seasonal libraries for local phytoplankton community structure. Understanding the impact of hydrography on ecology and distribution of Phytoplankton community structure. Understanding the impact of active substances, such as CDOM and TSM, on estimation of Phytoplankton concentration from satellite. Capacity building for ecological studies at College of Fisheries &/or Okha Research Centre (JAU), Veraval
2	Plan Scheme: B. H.: 18025-04     Ocean state forecastvalidation and research (off Okha and Veraval coast of Gujarat).	To establish a coastal observatory-wave rider buoy to start with (Data generated from this rider buoy will provide scientific information about oceanic forecast.) To validate the sea state forecast for Rupen/Okha coasts, Gujarat. To disseminate sea-state forecast to sea-farers and coastal population via various models and create awareness about the same. To conduct user interaction and awareness meetings. To help improve existing models and provide logistic in strengthening existing array of observations for both.
Brief Achievements:- Approx. 3000 mobile numbers of fishermen community were taken and registered with INCOIS & Reliance foundation (Transmission partner of OSF). AText message and voice message transmitted to users on daily basis. The message showing one day prior forecast of waves (wave direction & wave height) wind (wind velocity & wind direction) for 0 to 20 km and 20-50 km from shore of Okha at about 15:00 hrs. is being transmitted in Gujarati language to registered mobile user fishermen on daily basis. The message for Potential Fishing Zone showing location (latitude & longitude), distance from Okha shore and depth of location where fish catch is supposed to be in large amount is being transmitted in Gujarati language to registered mobile user fisherman on regular basis.

Wave rider buoy deployed in sea	Forecast by SMS

Infrastructure and major equipment available:

The Fisheries Research Station at Okha is having two different adjoining campus.

The main office campus:is speeded over in approx. 17000 Sq. Mtr. area in which office, library, Training hall/conference room, museum, laboratory, hatchery, store, water storage tanks/ponds and pumping, rearing ponds, filters etc. are available in the main office campus.

There are totally 43 quarters (A: category-10, B: category- 12, C: category- 16, D: category–4 and E: catogery-1) are available with FRS, Okha, out of which 09 quarters (E: catogory-1 quarter, A: category- 4 quarters and C: category- 4 quarters) located in the main office campus.

The second campus-Staff residential quarter campus:is spreader over in approx. 8400 Sq. Mt. area and having totally 34 quarters (A: category- 6 quarters, B: category- 12 quarters, C: category-12 quarters and D: category – 4 quarters) also located in this main office campus. Out of these 34 quarters, 30 quarters ( A: category – 6, B: category- 12 and C: category -12 quarters) are allotted to IG/ Director (Research), Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Government of India, Ministry Of Home Affairs, New Delhi for National Academy for Coastal Security (NACS) on 7^th Feb. 2018 on temporary basis.

Infrastructure
Office Campus View	Staff Quarter Campus View
Office Building	Library

Laboratory
Pollution analysis Lab	Pollution analysis Lab
Processing Lab	Processing Lab
Museum

List of Recommendations / Scientific Information :

Recommendation for scientific community: (2019)

• Total 19 copepod species were recorded from coastal areas of Okha mandal. Eight species of calanoid copepods mainly Eucalanus elongatus, Calanus minor and Paracalanus parvus; five species of harpacticoid copepods mainly Longipedia weberi, Microsetella norvegica and six species of cyclopoid copepods mainly Oncea venusta and Oithana similis were recorded. Higher copepod diversity was found in Okha area followed by Mithapur and Dwarka. Higher diversity was found in monsoon season followed by winter and least in summer. Macrosetella gracilis and Oithanabrevi cornis were found culture potential.
• The highest % agar yield 17.98 + 1.87 was observed in Gracilaria corticata among the Rhodophyceae species available at Okha coast. The highest gel strength (63.46 + 2.66 g/cm2) of agar was observed in Gracilaria verucosa among Rhodophyceae species available at Okha coast. Among the phaeophycean species available at Okha coast, highest (40.21 + 1.95) % alginic acid content was observed in Sargassum wightii.
• From the seaweed available at Okha coast, the highest in vitro antioxidant potential was observed in Sargassumjohnstoniiwith the value of1.72 + 0.22 DPPH (2,2, Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazy) activity Eq. mM Ascorbic acid/g FW.
• The brackish water shrimp growing farmers are recommended to stock Littopenaeus vannameishrimp seeds @ 25 pc/m2 to obtain better survival, growth and economical return. (2018)

• Litopenaeus vannamei Shrimp Seed	Litopenaeus vannamei Adult Shrimp

• The fisherman/suppliers are recommended to give 20 % Aloe vera gel extract dip treatment for 30 minutes before chill storage of Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) for better quality up to 15 days shelf-life. (2018)

Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta)	Aloe vera used for treatment