For the transfer of seabass (Lates calcarifer) seed production technology, a MoU was signed by the Water Fin Pvt. Ltd., Andhra Pradesh with the CIBA (Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture), Chennai.
Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA and B. Ravi Prakash, Executive Director, Water Fin Pvt. Ltd., Andhra Pradesh signed a MoU on the behalf of their respective organizations. The role of the private hatcheries for commercialization of seabass seed production for fulfilling the increasing demand among the farmers can be an example of the success story in shrimp seed production in the country.
Dr. Vijayan emphasized on the importance of species diversification and farming of finfish species, such as, seabass in the developing the brackish water aquaculture in the country.
He stated that the seed production facility would be able to meet the immediate seed demand not only for the small and medium scale of aqua farmers of Andhra Pradesh, but also in other parts of the country as well. He regarded the Technology backstopping efforts by the ICAR-CIBA to bring in more candidate species for farming in brackishwater aquaculture sector as the need of the hour.
Prakash expressed his gratitude to be associated with the ICAR-CIBA for the initiative.
The technology support under the MoU covers the development of land-based seabass broodstock, technical demonstration of maturation and spawning, fertilized egg transportation and incubation and technical assistance for the rearing of Asian Seabass larvae into free size.
