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Join the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) for a 5-day intensive training programme on “Nursery, Grow-out and Cage Culture Set in Earthen Ponds for Asian Seabass” in Sirkali, Tamil Nadu, from 23rd to 27th April 2024.

Organised by RGCA, an Aquaculture Technology Incubation Centre of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Govt. of India, this programme aims to provide hands-on training on various aspects of Asian Seabass aquaculture. Participants will learn about the biology of Seabass, hatchery operations, live feed culture, nursery rearing, grow-out farming, disease management, and more.

The training programme covers diverse topics such as cage culture, global scenarios, and prospects of Seabass aquaculture, along with practical sessions on fabrication and installation of nursery and grow-out net cages in ponds. Participants will also gain insights into feed calculation, fish grading, feed management, and economics of Seabass farming.

Registration for the programme is open to hatchery technicians, farmers, entrepreneurs, college/university students, research scholars, and academics. The registration fee is Rs. 5000/- (Rupees Five thousand only), which includes course materials, training certificate, and refreshments during the training period.

For further details and registration, please refer to the attached registration form or contact the provided address and numbers. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge in Asian Seabass aquaculture with RGCA. Best wishes from Dr. S. Kandan (Director – RGCA).

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The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, marked its 37th Annual Day at its Kausalyaganga Campus, Bhubaneswar. Established in 1987 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the institute stands as a premier research hub for freshwater aquaculture in India. Dr (Mrs) Dhriti Banerjee, Director of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, accompanied by esteemed guests Dr Amaresh Kumar Nayak, Director of ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, and Dr Debasis Dash, Director of Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar.

Dr (Mrs) Dhriti Banerjee, in her address, commended ICAR-CIFA on its journey and stressed the importance of protecting nature. She highlighted the collaborative efforts between ICAR-CIFA and Zoological Survey of India, announcing an upcoming memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint research endeavours.

Dr. Amaresh Kumar Nayak lauded ICAR-CIFA’s remarkable achievements in fisheries science, particularly its initiatives for the upliftment of marginalized sections and women empowerment. He advocated for increased collaboration to address food and nutritional security challenges.

Dr. Debasis Dash emphasized the significance of collaboration between Institute of Life Sciences and ICAR-CIFA across various life science domains.

Dr. P. K. Sahoo, Director of ICAR-CIFA, outlined the institute’s achievements, including successful breeding programmes, technological innovations, and collaborations. He highlighted the commercialization of several technologies, development of apps for fishery promotion, and certification of various methodologies and products.

The event witnessed the release of nine publications and the felicitation of winners of memorial awards. Representatives from collaborating organizations and retired employees of ICAR-CIFA also participated in the event.

Dr. Jitendra Kumar Sundaray extended the vote of thanks, concluding the celebration of ICAR-CIFA’s 37th Annual Day with a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to furthering freshwater aquaculture research in India.

In a remarkable achievement, the ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-DCFR) in Bhimtal has secured a patent for a groundbreaking diagnostic tool aimed at combating the deadly fish pathogen Lactococcus garvieae. Spearheaded by Dr. Neetu Shahi, Senior Scientist at ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, this innovation addresses the pressing need for swift and accurate detection methods to protect fish populations and ensure the economic stability of aquaculture.

The patented technology, titled ‘Composition, Protocol, and Diagnostic Kit for Identification of Bacterial Pathogen Lactococcus garvieae,’ signifies a significant breakthrough in aquaculture health. L. garvieae, initially discovered in the 1980s from bovine mastitis samples in the United Kingdom, poses a severe threat by causing hemorrhagic septicemia and meningoencephalitis in over 60 fish species. This infection leads to substantial crop losses, ranging from 20 to 60%, thereby impacting fish production significantly. Additionally, surviving fish become asymptomatic carriers, further spreading the disease.

Conventional identification methods for L. garvieae are time-consuming and prone to misidentification, exacerbating the spread of the pathogen. Factors like climate change, antibiotic resistance, and the absence of rapid diagnostic tools worsen the challenge, particularly during warmer months when the outbreak of “Warm Water Lactococcosis” intensifies, posing a dire threat to rainbow trout farming.

The newly patented technology offers a transformative solution by enabling the rapid visual detection of L. garvieae within just 40 minutes. Utilising specific concentrations and compositions of oligonucleotides, the diagnostic kit facilitates swift, accurate, and cost-effective detection by discerning colour changes in the reactants.

This patent secured by ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, marks a significant stride forward in safeguarding global aquatic ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. It underscores India’s commitment to innovation and excellence in addressing critical challenges facing the fisheries sector.

A recent study led by agricultural economist Ashok Gulati and researchers from the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) sheds light on the potential for enhancing farmers’ incomes through livestock and fisheries. Titled “New Deal for Agriculture for Viksit Bharat@2047”, the study recommends five policy options aimed at benefiting farmers while ensuring minimal impact on the broader economy.

The study underscores the importance of diversifying away from traditional crops towards high-value commodities such as the livestock sector and fisheries. Over the years, these sectors have witnessed significant growth, with the livestock sector’s contribution to agricultural household income rising from 4 percent in 2002-03 to 16 percent in 2018-19.

Innovations in institutional frameworks, including contract farming and vertical integration of farm operations, have propelled the poultry industry to become one of India’s fastest-growing sectors. Similarly, the fisheries sector has emerged as a key player, accounting for 15.2 percent of agricultural exports in 2022-23.

The study advocates for adopting innovative production techniques, such as controlled environment setups in polyhouses equipped with fertigation, to enhance productivity and farmer incomes while conserving resources like water and fertilisers.

Looking ahead, the authors anticipate growing demand in these sectors as consumer incomes rise and dietary preferences evolve. They recommend fostering private sector involvement to develop efficient value chains through a cluster-based approach, presenting a promising investment strategy.

By prioritising livestock and fisheries and implementing supportive policies, India can unlock new avenues for farmers to increase their incomes sustainably. This strategic shift aligns with evolving market dynamics and holds the potential to drive inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.

The scenario of aquaculture in India will most certainly undergo dynamic changes as evidence of the expanding interest in the cultivation of Tilapia fish that is one of the most popularly consumed fish worldwide that include shrimps, tuna, and salmon all together. It is mostly the tilapia exporters that are attracted by this great opportunity for both domestic and foreign markets.

Tilapia is an ideal replacement for Basa fish imported widely in restaurants, which has a good texture and can be used in various cooking dishes. With the estimated production of around 3.5-4 million tonnes annually, tilapia allows India to diversify its aquaculture sector. YC Thampi Sam Raj, the project director at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture which is under the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), instantiates the importance of genetically-improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) seed which has better growth capacity and consumes less costs.

Westcoast Group, the country’s main seafood exporter, has embarked upon extensive tilapia farming projects to increase its production substantially. Now, the operation is underway with 70 cages in two reservoirs in Pune already and a plan to expand to 2000 cages capable of providing 5 tonnes of fish each in the next two years. Though the global production of tilapia has been controlled by countries like China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, India’s contribution is relatively meagre, producing only about 15000 tonnes per year. Nevertheless, the country’s warm climate and an abundance of water have numerous development prospects.

In the domestic market, the price range of tilapia stands at ₹150-200 per kg. Its potential for getting exported, especially to US market where prices per kg range from $2 to $5 depending on size, is also promising the spread of tilapia farming in India indicates a new wave of growth and diversification for the aquaculture industry as the country already takes a larger share of seafood exports.

The fisheries department in Tamil Nadu has commenced the sinking of 200 artificial reef structures along the East Coast, spanning from Ennore to Akkarai. This ambitious initiative, which began recently, comes with a price tag of ₹4 crore. Each structure, measuring six feet in length and three feet in width, will be submerged at identified locations, positioned five nautical miles from the shoreline, and sunk to a depth of 12 metres using ropes, as confirmed by a senior department official.

These concrete ‘reefs’ are strategically placed to attract fish, with the expectation of fostering fish aggregation over time. Often referred to as fish aggregating devices, these structures aim to enhance marine biodiversity and support the growth of coral colonies. The sinking process is slated for completion within a month, according to departmental sources.

While opinions are divided regarding the efficacy of sinking such substratum beneath the seabed, experts suggest that it may aid in fish aggregation to some extent. However, the long-term impact on fish and faunal diversity remains a subject of debate, as highlighted by a Zoological Survey of India officer.

Formation of artificial reef formations around these structures is another objective, although it’s projected to take approximately 10 years for a full reef to develop. Placing these structures at a distance of 5 nautical miles from the shoreline and at a depth of 12 meters is deemed ideal, ensuring minimal disruption to fishing boat movements, explained the officer.

The initiative signals Tamil Nadu’s commitment to fostering sustainable marine ecosystems and enhancing fishery resources along its coastline. As the project progresses, it is hoped that these artificial ‘reefs’ will contribute significantly to marine biodiversity and support the livelihoods of coastal communities.

India’s flourishing fisheries sector has grabbed once again, this time with fish prices commanding attention on the front pages of newspapers. This development underscores the remarkable growth and increasing prominence of the fisheries industry within the country.

The rise in fish production across India has been nothing short of remarkable, driven by advancements in aquaculture methods and a concerted push towards sustainable fishing practices. This surge in production has not only led to greater availability of fish but has also diversified the market offerings, catering to a wide array of consumer preferences.

The growing popularity of fish consumption reflects shifting dietary patterns and a heightened awareness of the health benefits associated with seafood. As more consumers recognise the nutritional advantages of including fish in their diets, demand for this protein-rich food source continues to soar.

Businesses, eager to tap into this burgeoning market, are showcasing an impressive array of fish products and culinary innovations. Whether in traditional fish markets or modern supermarkets, the diverse range of fish offerings highlights the vibrancy and potential for further growth within the sector.

The recent focus on fish prices in mainstream media serves as a testament to the industry’s increasing prominence within the national discourse. As prices become a topic of public interest, stakeholders are closely monitoring market dynamics and exploring avenues to ensure affordability and accessibility for consumers.

Government initiatives aimed at promoting the fisheries sector and enhancing productivity have played a significant role in driving this growth trajectory. Through investments in infrastructure and the implementation of supportive policies, efforts are underway to bolster the fisheries ecosystem and unlock its full economic potential.

As fish prices continue to make headlines, it is evident that the fisheries sector has emerged as a key player in India’s economic landscape. With sustained focus and collaborative efforts, the trajectory of this vital industry promises to chart a course towards greater prosperity and sustainability.