ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FISHES

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*General essay on Economic importance of fishes*

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Fishes are one of the most important group of vertebrates which possess a great economic, nutritional, medicinal, industrial, aesthetic and religious values. It provides job opportunities for millions of people around the world.They are both useful and also harmful to man.

 *Uses fishes:*

 1️⃣ *Fishes are major source of food with high nutritive value:* Nearly all fishes are edible and are important sources of proteins, fat, vitamins and minerals. They are rich in vitamin A and D and is a depot of calcium, phosphorus and iodine.

2️⃣ *Fish manure :* Low grade, unedible fish given out from the fish-canning factories, market and others are utilized to prepare the fish manure. These residues are dried, ground, mixed with ash and converted into manure, which contains a high percentage of nitrogen and phosphorous.

 3️⃣ *Fish glue:* The gelatinous adhesive material obtained from the connective tissues of skin and bones of certain fish, principally cod fish, is called fish glue. It is used in gummed tape, letterpress printing plates, blueprint paper and adhering the wood, leather, glass, etc.

4️⃣  *Isinglass:* Isinglass is a substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish. It is a high-grade collagen used mainly for the clarification of wine, beer and vinegar. It can also be cooked into a paste for specialized gluing purposes. For making isinglass, the air bladder is removed from the fish, washed thoroughly and flattened by beating. The beaten pieces are then dried for the preparation of isinglass. It is in the form of shiny powder. Isinglass is generally made from sturgeon and cod fish.

5️⃣ *Fish leather:* The  skins of several fishes (e.g., sharks and rays) are used for manufacturing, polishing and smoothing materials in place of sand paper. The dried and processed skin is also used for preparing high-quality shoes, moneybags, suitcases, belts, phone cases, etc. Fish leather is an eco-friendly alternative to the typical exotic leathers such as crocodile and snake that threaten endangered species.

 6️⃣ *Fish fin:* The fins of the sharks and rays are used to make tasteful sauce and soups. It is a popular soup item of China.

7️⃣ *Medicinal value* 

 Certain fishes and their bye-products contribute to useful Ayurvedic and Unani medicines for treatment of duodenal ulcers, skin diseases, night blindness, general weakness, loss of appetite, colds, coughs, bronchitis, ashthma, tuberculosis, etc.    

8️⃣ *Biological control* 

Many species of carnivorous and larvivorous fishes prey upon insects and their larvae in water. These fishes can be used to control harmful insects, mosquito larvae, etc. Gambusia affinis is a well known fish for mosquito control, hence called mosquito fish.

9️⃣ *Decorative value* 

Many species of colored fish are kept in aquarium, ocenarium, ponds and lakes for decoration or ornamentation. The common ornamental fish species kept in aquarium are gold fish, gourami , zebra fish , guppy , fighting fish, koi, etc.

🔟 *Sports and games* 

Sport or recreation fishing is the fishing for pleasure or competition. Sport fishing can be done in a variety of ways. The most common form of sport fishing is done with a rod, line and hooks with baits, called angling. 

 1️⃣1️⃣ *Employment opportunity* 

Fisheries and aquaculture sector provide, either directly or indirectly, a great employment opportunity for millions of people around the world. In 2012, about 500 million people were directly engaged in the world, part time or full time, in production of fish, either by fishing or in aquaculture.

*Harmful Fishes:* 

 1️⃣ *Some fishes are  destructive:* 

Majority of  cartilaginous fishes are predaceous and feed chiefly on large quantities of crabs, lobsters, squids and other valuable marine animals. They also destroy eggs, young and even adults of food fishes.  

 2️⃣ *Some fishes are injurious:* 

Some sharks are highly dangerous in the sea, injure fisherman and damage crafts and gears.

Some larger sharks and sword fish may capsize small boats and injure or even kill fisherman. Sharks  are a menace to bathers and skin divers in shallow waters. The pirhanas of Central and South America with strong teeth are dangerous  to man.

 Electric ray (Torpedo) have electric organs which give powerful shocks to swimmers and fishermen. 

3️⃣ *Some fishes are toxic:* Poisonous structures are found in some fishes like sting ray (Trygon). They can cause painful fatel wounds by the poisonous stings or spines.