The 26 lectures, delivered by experienced specialists, contained technical information derived from both published and unpublished material, and included new and imaginative suggestions for immediate application or for experimental studies for further development of techniques and procedures. They were followed by exhaustive discussions on the salient points.
The demonstrations were considered to be excellent ones. They included:
Preparation and setting up of equipment and facilities;
Collection, handling, sexing, examination and selection of spawners;
Collection, storage and processing of pituitary glands;
Preparation and injection of hormone substances;
Handling, care and observation of injected fish in the “hapa”;
Procedures in stripping and fertilization of eggs, and in transfer of eggs into hatching hapa;
Procedures in spawn collection and handling;
Nursery practices; and
Handling, packing and transportation of fry.
The exercises in the laboratory and field provided excellent opportunities for the participants to practise various techniques and procedures, under the guidance of the demonstrators, until they were fully capable of doing the work independently and efficiently. During the first practical exercise, 18 out of 20 sets of Indian carps, which had been injected, spawned successfully; this is a high record of success. In the second practical exercise, out of the 20 sets of fish injected, 19 had spawned; the single unspawned carp had been “plugged”. In a third exercise, three sets of fish were used; all three spawned.
The Seminar served remarkably well as the venue through which exchanges of information and experience were made among those present - scientists as well as field workers. In this respect, the statements by the participants on fish breeding in their individual countries were of particular value.
