Fish animal

Fish

animal

Written By:

• Lynne R. Parenti
• Stanley H. Weitzman

Last Updated: 1-18-2018 See Article History

Fish, any of more than 30,000 species of vertebrate animals (phylum Chordata) found in the fresh and salt waters of the world. Living species range from the primitive, jawless lampreys and hagfishes through the cartilaginous sharks, skates, and rays to the abundant and diverse bony fishes. Most fish species are cold-blooded; however, one species, the opah (Lampris guttatus), is warm-blooded.

Barracuda (Sphyraena)C. Leroy French/Tom Stack & Associates

The term fish is applied to a variety of vertebrates of several evolutionary lines. It describes a life-form rather than a taxonomic group. As members of the phylum Chordata, fish share certain features with other vertebrates. These features are gill slits at some point in the life cycle, a notochord, or skeletal supporting rod, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, and a tail. Living fishes represent some five classes, which are as distinct from one another as are the four classes of familiar air-breathing animals—amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. For example, the jawless fishes (Agnatha) have gills in pouches and lack limb girdles. Extant agnathans are the lampreys and the hagfishes. As the name implies, the skeletons of fishes of the class Chondrichthyes (from chondr, “cartilage,” and ichthyes, “fish”) are made entirely of cartilage. Modern fish of this class lack a swim bladder, and their scales and teeth are made up of the same placoid material. Sharks, skates, and rays are examples of cartilaginous fishes. The bony fishes are by far the largest class. Examples range from the tiny sea horse to the 450-kg (1,000-pound) blue marlin, from the flattened soles and flounders to the boxy puffers and ocean sunfishes. Unlike the scales of the cartilaginous fishes, those of bony fishes, when present, grow throughout life and are made up of thin, overlapping plates of bone. Bony fishes also have an operculum that covers the gill slits.

The study of fishes, the science of ichthyology, is of broad importance. Fishes are of interest to humans for many reasons, the most important being their relationship with and dependence on the environment. A more obvious reason for interest in fishes is their role as a moderate but important part of the world’s food supply. This resource, once thought unlimited, is now realized to be finite and in delicate balance with the biological, chemical, and physical factors of the aquatic environment. Overfishing, pollution, and alteration of the environment are the chief enemies of proper fisheries management, both in fresh waters and in the ocean. (For a detailed discussion of the technology and economics of fisheries, see commercial fishing.) Another practical reason for studying fishes is their use in disease control. As predators on mosquito larvae, they help curb malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Landing a fish catch in the harbour of Esbjerg, Den.Wedigo Ferchland

Fishes are valuable laboratory animals in many aspects of medical and biological research. For example, the readiness of many fishes to acclimate to captivity has allowed biologists to study behaviour, physiology, and even ecology under relatively natural conditions. Fishes have been especially important in the study of animal behaviour, where research on fishes has provided a broad base for the understanding of the more flexible behaviour of the higher vertebrates. The zebra fish is used as a model in studies of gene expression.
There are aesthetic and recreational reasons for an interest in fishes. Millions of people keep live fishes in home aquariums for the simple pleasure of observing the beauty and behaviour of animals otherwise unfamiliar to them. Aquarium fishes provide a personal challenge to many aquarists, allowing them to test their ability to keep a small section of the natural environment in their homes. Sportfishing is another way of enjoying the natural environment, also indulged in by millions of people every year. Interest in aquarium fishes and sportfishing supports multimillion-dollar industries throughout the world.

Tanzania Agriculture Agriculture is Tanzania’s economy mainstay, contributing USD 13.9bn to its GDP (nearly 30%) and 67% to total employment during 2014. Agricultural land in Tanzania was last measured at 396,500sq.km in 2013 (45% of total land area) versus 369,744sq.km in 2008, representing an increase of 7% over the 5–year period. Tanzania Crops Tanzania’s crop production rose by 44% during 2008–2013, beating the Sub-Saharan Africa average crop production growth rate of 18% during the same period, according to the World Bank’s (WB) crop production index. Tanzania’s main exported cash crops are tobacco, cashew nuts, coffee, tea, cloves, cotton, and sisal. Raw tobacco represents Tanzania’s most important exported cash crop growing from USD 169m worth of exports in 2010 to USD 318m in 2015, followed by cashews which grew from USD 50m to USD 201m, and coffee from USD 109m to USD 162m in the same period. The top export destinations of the Tanzanian tobacco are Germany, Russia, and Poland, while almost 80% of cashews are exported to India. Tanzania Livestock Tanzania’s livestock production rose by 33% during 2008–2013, exceeding the Sub-Saharan Africa average livestock production growth rate of 11% during the same period, as per the WB’s livestock production index. Meat production in Tanzania rose by 33% over the period 2008–2013, from 422,230t to 563,086t, as indicated in the 2014–2015 Annual Report of the Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Securities and Development. Out of the total meat production, 55% comes from cattle, 21% from sheep and goats, 14% from pigs, and only 10% from chicken. In 2015, Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development launched the Tanzania Livestock Modernization Initiative (TLMI), which aims to transform the traditional livestock sub-sector into a modern, responsive, sustainable and environmentally-friendly engine for rural development. Tanzania Agriculture Value-Addition The Tanzanian agriculture value-added net output increased by 61% during the period 2009–2014, from USD 8.6bn to USD 13.8bn, exceeding by 5% the growth of value-added agricultural output in Sub-Saharan Africa during the same period. Currently, value-added products in Tanzania include cotton yarn, manufactured coffee and tobacco, sisal products (yarn and twine), and wheat flour. In line with the 2025 Vision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives of Tanzania, there should be at least two new products developed from each of the staple crops, horticultural crops, livestock and fisheries by that year. Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) In 2010 the SAGCOT, an agricultural partnership designed to improve agricultural productivity, food security and livelihoods in Tanzania, was initiated. During March 2016, the WB approved a USD 70m SAGCOT Investment Project to support the agricultural sector of Tanzania and strengthen it by linking smallholder farmers to agribusiness for boosting incomes and job-led growth. Tanzania Agriculture Development Bank (TADB) In 2015 the TADB was established by the government of Tanzania to assist in implementing its policies and strategies relating to the agricultural sector. The TADB is dedicated to contributing significantly to the development of agriculture in Tanzania through mobilizing financial resources and supporting smallholder farmers with low interest loans. Thomas Samkyi, the TADB’s Managing Director, said that the bank needs large amounts of capital and its target is to commit the government into providing capital of up to TZS 800m. Francis Assenga, the TADB’s Director of Plan, Research, and Policy said that the bank will open six new offices throughout the country in the next five years in order to reach as many farmers as possible.

Read more at: https://www.tanzaniainvest.com/agriculture and follow us on www.twitter.com/tanzaniainvest

Tanzania Agriculture Agriculture is Tanzania’s economy mainstay, contributing USD 13.9bn to its GDP (nearly 30%) and 67% to total employment during 2014. Agricultural land in Tanzania was last measured at 396,500sq.km in 2013 (45% of total land area) versus 369,744sq.km in 2008, representing an increase of 7% over the 5–year period. Tanzania Crops Tanzania’s crop production rose by 44% during 2008–2013, beating the Sub-Saharan Africa average crop production growth rate of 18% during the same period, according to the World Bank’s (WB) crop production index. Tanzania’s main exported cash crops are tobacco, cashew nuts, coffee, tea, cloves, cotton, and sisal. Raw tobacco represents Tanzania’s most important exported cash crop growing from USD 169m worth of exports in 2010 to USD 318m in 2015, followed by cashews which grew from USD 50m to USD 201m, and coffee from USD 109m to USD 162m in the same period. The top export destinations of the Tanzanian tobacco are Germany, Russia, and Poland, while almost 80% of cashews are exported to India. Tanzania Livestock Tanzania’s livestock production rose by 33% during 2008–2013, exceeding the Sub-Saharan Africa average livestock production growth rate of 11% during the same period, as per the WB’s livestock production index. Meat production in Tanzania rose by 33% over the period 2008–2013, from 422,230t to 563,086t, as indicated in the 2014–2015 Annual Report of the Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Securities and Development. Out of the total meat production, 55% comes from cattle, 21% from sheep and goats, 14% from pigs, and only 10% from chicken. In 2015, Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development launched the Tanzania Livestock Modernization Initiative (TLMI), which aims to transform the traditional livestock sub-sector into a modern, responsive, sustainable and environmentally-friendly engine for rural development. Tanzania Agriculture Value-Addition The Tanzanian agriculture value-added net output increased by 61% during the period 2009–2014, from USD 8.6bn to USD 13.8bn, exceeding by 5% the growth of value-added agricultural output in Sub-Saharan Africa during the same period. Currently, value-added products in Tanzania include cotton yarn, manufactured coffee and tobacco, sisal products (yarn and twine), and wheat flour. In line with the 2025 Vision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives of Tanzania, there should be at least two new products developed from each of the staple crops, horticultural crops, livestock and fisheries by that year. Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) In 2010 the SAGCOT, an agricultural partnership designed to improve agricultural productivity, food security and livelihoods in Tanzania, was initiated. During March 2016, the WB approved a USD 70m SAGCOT Investment Project to support the agricultural sector of Tanzania and strengthen it by linking smallholder farmers to agribusiness for boosting incomes and job-led growth. Tanzania Agriculture Development Bank (TADB) In 2015 the TADB was established by the government of Tanzania to assist in implementing its policies and strategies relating to the agricultural sector. The TADB is dedicated to contributing significantly to the development of agriculture in Tanzania through mobilizing financial resources and supporting smallholder farmers with low interest loans. Thomas Samkyi, the TADB’s Managing Director, said that the bank needs large amounts of capital and its target is to commit the government into providing capital of up to TZS 800m. Francis Assenga, the TADB’s Director of Plan, Research, and Policy said that the bank will open six new offices throughout the country in the next five years in order to reach as many farmers as possible.

Read more at: https://www.tanzaniainvest.com/agriculture and follow us on www.twitter.com/tanzaniainvest

Maize Tanzania Maize ProductionTanzania Maize Maize is Tanzania’s most important cereal crop in terms of food security. The country’s maize production amounted to 6m t in 2015, compared to 4.7m t in 2010, representing an increase of 28%. Tanzania consumes 90% of its maize production and exports the rest mainly to Kenya (80%), as well as Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda. According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country’s production in 2016–2017 is expected to reach 6.3m t against a domestic demand of 5.2m t. To further increase maize productivity, Tanzania started its first trial for Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) maize, aimed at demonstrating whether the GMO crop can be effectively grown in the country. Tanzania maize export Zimbabwe Tanzania Agriculture October 23, 2016 Tanzania to Export 100,000t of Maize to Zimbabwe Tanzania recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zimbabwe for the export of 100,000t of maize in 2016–2017 at USD345 per ton. PARTNERS SPECIAL REPORT Tanzania Telecoms Report: Statistics and Analysis Tanzania Telecoms Report: Statistics and Analyses of Fixed, Mobile, Internet SPONSORED Stanbic Tanzania donates to Msasani School January 15, 2018 ​SPONSORED: Stanbic Bank Tanzania Donates to Children with Hearing Impairment and Autism ADVERTISING Latest News Tanzania Exports Services november 2017 January 23, 2018 Tanzania Exports Down -3.8% in Year Ending November 2017, Tourism and Fish Up Acacia Gold production Tanzania Q4 2017 January 22, 2018 Acacia Gold Production Down -30% TANZANIA ECONOMY IMF January 16, 2018 Tanzania Economy Subject to Emerging Risks, IMF Say Stanbic Tanzania donates to Msasani School January 15, 2018 ​SPONSORED: Stanbic Bank Tanzania Donates to Children with Hearing Impairment and Autism

Read more at: https://www.tanzaniainvest.com/maize and follow us on www.twitter.com/tanzaniainvest

Maize Tanzania Maize ProductionTanzania Maize Maize is Tanzania’s most important cereal crop in terms of food security. The country’s maize production amounted to 6m t in 2015, compared to 4.7m t in 2010, representing an increase of 28%. Tanzania consumes 90% of its maize production and exports the rest mainly to Kenya (80%), as well as Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda. According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country’s production in 2016–2017 is expected to reach 6.3m t against a domestic demand of 5.2m t. To further increase maize productivity, Tanzania started its first trial for Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) maize, aimed at demonstrating whether the GMO crop can be effectively grown in the country. Tanzania maize export Zimbabwe Tanzania Agriculture October 23, 2016 Tanzania to Export 100,000t of Maize to Zimbabwe Tanzania recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zimbabwe for the export of 100,000t of maize in 2016–2017 at USD345 per ton. PARTNERS SPECIAL REPORT Tanzania Telecoms Report: Statistics and Analysis Tanzania Telecoms Report: Statistics and Analyses of Fixed, Mobile, Internet SPONSORED Stanbic Tanzania donates to Msasani School January 15, 2018 ​SPONSORED: Stanbic Bank Tanzania Donates to Children with Hearing Impairment and Autism ADVERTISING Latest News Tanzania Exports Services november 2017 January 23, 2018 Tanzania Exports Down -3.8% in Year Ending November 2017, Tourism and Fish Up Acacia Gold production Tanzania Q4 2017 January 22, 2018 Acacia Gold Production Down -30% TANZANIA ECONOMY IMF January 16, 2018 Tanzania Economy Subject to Emerging Risks, IMF Say Stanbic Tanzania donates to Msasani School January 15, 2018 ​SPONSORED: Stanbic Bank Tanzania Donates to Children with Hearing Impairment and Autism

Read more at: https://www.tanzaniainvest.com/maize and follow us on www.twitter.com/tanzaniainvest