CIBA inks MoU with Kerala Fisheries Department to set up a Multi-Species Fish Hatchery

Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai has partnered with the State Fisheries Department of Kerala to set up a multi-species fish hatchery.

In Kerala, brackishwater resources cover an area of around 1,43,696 hectares, along with adjacent low-lying fields and mangrove swamps. In an effort to utilize this huge potential of brackishwater aquaculture resources in the Kerala State, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the CIBA and Agency for Development of Aquaculture (ADAK) for the establishment of the fish hatchery at Odayam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

CIBA will provide scientific and technical support to the state government for developing captive breeding and seed production technology of commercially important brackish water fishes like Asian Seabass, Milkfish and Kerala’s fish Pearl Spot, stated in MoU. 

The fish hatchery will target seed production of those species throughout the season enabling continuous seed production. Additionally, the partnership between CIBA and the State Government also aims to support critical human resources development within the niche area through regular and continuous hands-on training programmes.

Director of CIBA, KK Vijayan says the establishment of the much-needed multi-species hatchery is timely and would offer a stimulus for augmenting brackish water fish production alongside enhancing the livelihood generation during every step of the fish production process.

“Kerala is endowed with rich brackish water resources to the tune of 1.26 lakh hectare. Since the timely availability of fish seeds in sufficient quantity remains a serious constraint, the brackish water aquaculture is yet to explore its potential resources. Timely availability of seeds in a farmer-friendly way will help to develop the sector,” Vijayan said.

To this further Tinku Biswal, Secretary to the Department of Fisheries and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of ADAK said, “The proposed hatchery would help to increase the sustainable brackishwater fish production because it addresses the critical issue being faced by the fish farmers — inadequate seed availability of brackish water fishes.”  

“CIBA, said fish species like Seabass, Milkfish and Pearl Spot are ideal for Kerala, considering the resilient nature of the species to changing salinities and their market demand,” says M Kailasam, Principal Scientist & Head-in-Charge of Fish Culture Division,