The fish farmers in Goa are experiencing significant gains through the innovative practice of biofloc fish farming. Supported by the fisheries department’s financial assistance scheme for biofloc, farmers in the region witnessed a remarkable increase in fish harvest – from two tonnes in the financial year 2021-22 to an impressive 22.2 tonnes in 2022-23. This transformative approach has enabled farmers to cultivate species such as seabass, genetically improved fish tilapia (GIFT), and murrel fish.
Highlighting the shift from traditional methods to technology-driven aquaculture, fisheries director Shamila Monteiro stated, “Aquaculture is getting transformed from conventional systems to a technology-driven one.” The fisheries department has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about biofloc by providing farmers with essential technical knowledge, sparking widespread interest in adopting this advanced aquaculture technique.
Biofloc, a method involving living and dead organic matter, phytoplankton, bacteria, and their grazers, produces protein-rich live feed by converting unused feed and excreta into natural food in a controlled environment. This composition significantly reduces the feeding costs for fish farmers.
For beginners, aquaculture experts from the fisheries department recommend several techniques for preparing biofloc. The simplest method involves using good-quality soil, carbon sources like molasses, probiotics, yeast, and urea, followed by adequate aeration. This process results in the formation of yellowish bacteria. Fish seed is then added to this mixture, with the amount being 5% of the body weight of the fish biomass. Pelleted feed is introduced to the fish, and as they consume it, the biofloc reacts with the excreta, converting it into a high-quality feed.
The meticulous preparation of the floc is crucial, emphasized a fisheries official. This scientific approach not only provides farmers with a superior quality feed for their fish but also reduces dependence on externally sourced feed. Additionally, enterprising fish farmers can explore opportunities to sell the biofloc feed to others in the industry.
Looking ahead, the fisheries department’s sub-office at Sanqueli is set to initiate a new batch of fish at an existing biofloc unit. Following the successful biofloc culture of Tilapia fish in September 2022, the unit carried out a harvest in January and February 2023, demonstrating the sustainability and profitability of this innovative approach in the aquaculture sector.