University of Kashmir

1. BY
MALIK AAMIR
UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
16061119001
COLDWATER FISHES OF
KASHMIR
Supervisor
Dr. G.M Shah

2. CONTENT
• INTRODUCTION
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• COLDWATER FISH SPECIES
• S C O P E A N D S I G N I F I C A N C E
• R E F E R E N C E S

3. • Cold water fishes occupy an important place among the
freshwater fishes.
Introduction
• Kashmir valley is bestowed with natural water resources
which possess great potential for the development of
cold water fisheries.

4. • Lakes • Rivers• Streams
• Fishes having the temperature tolerance limit just like
the salmonids i.e. 0oc – 20oc are called Coldwater
Fishes.

5. • Cold water fishes are characterized by:
- Streamlined body
- Mouth modified for sucking or burrowing
- Narrow gill openings

6. Historical Background
• Trout and Salmon are the only exotic game fishes introduced in India.
• According to Mitchell (1918), the first attempt at shipment of trout ova was
in the year 1900 AD, as a present from the Duke of Bedford to the
Maharaja of Kashmir. This whole consignment, however perished on the
way on account of heat.
• The 2nd shipment of trout ova arrived
in excellent condition from Scotland in
1900 AD which included 1800 fry. Out
of this 1000 fry were transferred to
Harwan and rest of 800 fry were reared
in the premises of a private carpet
factory owner.

7. • The Department of Fisheries was created in 1903 in the state and was
known as Department of “Game Preservation”.
• The Fisheries Development Programme was launched with the object of
increasing the fish production.
• For this purpose, the department developed many Trout Farms, Hatcheries
and Rearing Units.
• At present there are 42 Trout rearing centers established in different
districts of the State.

8. Name District Image
Trout Rearing Unit Kokernag Anantnag
Trout Rearing Unit Achabal Anantnag
Trout Rearing Unit Pahalgam Anantnag
Major Trout Rearing Units of Valley are:

9. Name District Image
Trout Rearing Unit Verinag Anantnag
Trout Rearing Unit Laribal Srinagar
Trout Rearing Unit Harwan Srinagar

10. Coldwater Fishes
EXOTIC COLDWATER FISHES
• Trout (Brown and Rainbow trout)
INDIGENOUS COLDWATER FISHES
• Schizothorax species (Native fish)
• Mahseer Species (Tor tor and Tor putitora)

11. Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
• Riverine fish; Native to Europe and
Asia.
• Brown trout are bottom feeders and
prefer to eat at dusk.
• Potamodromous.
• It has low growth rate.
• Brown trout need a constant supply of cold, clean and well
oxygenated water.

12. Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
• Riverine Fish, native to North
America.
• Surface Feeder.
• Most cultivated fish in Kashmir
having good market value.
• Because of its high growth rate,
it is preferred over the brown
trout.
• Breeding occurs in Jan-May.
• It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids

13. Schizothorax niger
• Lacustrine Fish
• This fish is abundantly found in Dal lake.
Schizothorax richardsonii
• Riverine species.
• Found mostly in
the fresh water
streams and
rivers of the
Kashmir.
• Herbivorous
species.
Schizothorax labiatus
Schizothorax esocinus

14. Red-finned Mahseer (Tor tor )
Golden or Yellow-finned Mahseer (Tor
putitora)
• World famous game fish.
• Riverine.
• High commercial value and longer shelf life.

15. Scope/Significance
• Kashmir has been rightly called angler’s paradise.
• Population depends on fisheries sector for food and livelihood.
• Source of income and employment.
• Major contribution in the economy of the state.
• Therefore, the need of the hour is to develop fisheries by using scientific techniques
such as molecular and biotechnological intervention, selective breeding programme
for the sustainable development of indigenous as well as exotic species in the valley.

16. “An important component of J&K’s economy is calling
for our attention”

17. REFERENCES
• Fish and Fisheries of India By V.G. Jhingran
• Applied Fisheries Science by Jaspreet Banga
Books
Internet
• http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x2614e/x2614e05.htm
• http://jkfisheries.in/t_culture.htm
• http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/fish/applied-fisheries/cold-water-
fisheries-in-india-with-diagram/88555/

18. Muchas gracias, queridos amigos