The Shad Hilsa, Tenualosa Ilisha (Hamilton) : Its Biology and Fishery

Contents: Acknowledgements. Foreword. Preface. General Introduction. 1. Taxonomy. 2. Distribution of Tenualosa Species.  3. Ecology of major rivers and estuaries where the hilsa inhabit. 4. Behaviour and migration. 5. Racial variation. 6. Age and growth. 7. Length and weight relationship and relative condition. 8. Fishery. 9. The morphology, anatomy and histology of the Alimentary Canal in relation to food and feeding habits. 10. Maturity. 11. Spawning. 12. Fecundity. 13. Embryonic and larval development. 14. Artificial breeding and culture of hilsa. 15. Suggestions for retrieving hilsa fisheries. 16. Appendices. 17. Literature cited.

The Indian shad, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton) commonly known as hilsa is undoubtedly one of the most important edible fish of the country and is considered as a typical long distance anadromous fish. It is highly prized and esteemed fish in India as well as other tropical Asian countries. In the present times, there is a massive decline in the availability of this fish in Indian waters. The commercial importance of hilsa and its cultural significance along with its resource potentiality in the Indian sub-continent and other neighbouring countries indicate a vast scope for the research and development of the fishery. However, it seems that the pace of investigations on hilsa, particularly in India, has been slowing down in recent years.

The book provides the trends in catch and landing statistics of hilsa from the Indian subcontinent. The reasons for the decline of hilsa fishery in the country as well as suggestions for retrieving this fishery are also discussed. The book also highlights the progress of artificial breeding as well as culture prospects of this fish in confined water bodies.