Indian Pompano fish cultivation-First Scientific Experiment

On January 8, 2020, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) announced that it has developed viable scientific method to cultivate Indian Pompano fish in ponds. Pompanos are marine fishes.

Cultivating Indian Pompano in ponds will be a good alternative to shrimp. The financial assistance for the scientific invention was provided by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).

Highlights

Upon successful invention of the scientific method to cultivate Pompano fish by CMFRI, it is to be officially cultivated in ponds of Vishakhapatnam. This is the first time a scientific experiment has been done on the cultivation of Pompano fish in India.

The scientific method has recorded 750 grams of meat per fish in open ponds and 1 kg in cages. The method also recorded 95% of survival of the fishes. The method provided 3 tonnes per acre yield and a profit of 25% to 30% of input cost per acre.

Pompano

In 2014, the GoI began the scientific study on Pompano. The CMFRI scientists say that growing Pompano along with shrimp increases the survival chances of the later. This is because, the Pompanos break life cycle of viruses that attack shrimps. GoI is currently planning to implement inter-cropping of these two fishes.

Competitors

The Pompanos are commonly found in Indo-Pacific region. They are widely cultivated in China, Vietnam, USA, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

Existing Farming Techniques

In India, the Pompano is cultivated through Open sea Cage Farming and earthen pond fresh water farming. The survival rates of open sea cage farming is 72% and that of fresh water farming is 32%.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2020