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College of Fisheries (COF), College of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, recently had a five-day training program on ‘Fish Farming’ jointly organized by the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE). It was a step that was taken by the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SC-SP) scheme of the Government of India in order to empower and castigate Scheduled Caste (SC) stakeholders in the area of fish farming with the aim of making it possible for them to adopt fish farming as a business endeavor for livelihood and employment creation. With Course Director Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur at the helm, the Education Programme had the 25 SC candidates of Punjab as a part of it.

The scientists were coordinated by Dr. Grishma Tewari and Dr. Amit Mandal, including the whole range of fish farming from ‘Pond to Plate’. The participants gained hands-on experience with multiple angles of aquaculture that involve water quality, feeding regimes, health management, integrated fish farming, and modern technologies like biofloc aquaculture, recirculation aquaculture, and aquaponics. The program will feature site visits to the farm of a progressive fish farmer, Mr. Jasvir Singh Aujla, and a modern fish market in Ludhiana district, thereby offering participants a practical view of the industry. Moreover, the university utility services disseminated and also the details of the fisheries sector development schemes to the trainees.

Ms. Meera, Dean COF, shared future plans for a training program to improve skills in ornamental fisheries, fish processing, and integrated fish farming for the community of artisanal fishers. Mr. Prakash Singh Brar, the Director of Extension Education, highlighted these programs as effective tools for empowering the deprived SC communities through education and the technical provision of support. Dr. Ravishankar C. N., Director and Vice Chancellor of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, stressed the imperative of skill development by way of addressing the issue of social equity.

Researchers at the Kakdwip Research Center of the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, have achieved a pioneering accomplishment by inducing captive spawning and raising of the Bengal yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus datnia). This white fish has gained a place on the market menu and now is a highly-priced delicacy that requires anything between Rs 300-400/kg.  Before the invention of high quality seeds, the only aquaculture practice was restricted to large, traditional Bheries in Western Bengal but in future such advancements may open new opportunities in the aquaculture sector of India.

The research contained highly exact procedures regarding broodstock development and induced spawning. Spawning-readiness was detected in brood fish that were kept and operated in RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) by the end of November 2023. Through precise management, mature females and males were paired in spawning tanks, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:3. work resulted in successfully implementing the standardized doses of hCG (2000 IU/kg body weight for females and 1000 IU/kg body weight for males) to induce the ovulation for the appearance of the eggs within 18-24 hours under the specific environment conditions.

The transparent pelagic eggs fertilized successfully displayed a good rate of fertilization and hatching, which was about between 90-95%. The just born hatchlings are almost 2 mm long and they start feeding themselves with rotifers at three days post hatching after which they transition to Artemia nauplii and lastly incorporate formulated feeds in their diet. Till now 30,000 larvatank and brackishwater pond cultivation is being done, which is a huge strategy for seed large-scale production.

This groundbreaking milestone not only marks a new chapter for the Bengal yellowfin seabream aquaculture growth but also clears the way for the system diversification in Indian aquaculture which offers new possibilities and extension to the industry.

Source: ICAR-CIBA , Chennai, Tamil Nadu

The union minister of state for fisheries, L. Murugan, headlined our mission to achieve a valued fishery export of one hundred thousand crore by the end of 2024 during the III WORLD OCEAN SCIENCE CONGRESS—WOSC 2024 Sustainable Utilization of Oceans in Blue Economy program. Murugan reminded us that India has already achieved its leadership in shrimp industry exports among other maritime products, and it is the 4th largest marine product exporter globally. Therefore, he said, it can now assume even greater progress in the seafood sector.

On the final day, Murugan, who had a major role in this regard, emphasized sustainable fisheries, keeping fishermen’s interests at the top of the priority list. He talked about the renewed center’s attempts to expand aquaculture and seaweed harvesting, implying different massive schemes to sustainably manage natural resources in the ocean. For distinguished scientist Mr. Shailesh Nayak, who serves as the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, a regular assessment of the annual stock of open ocean fish, encompassing sardines and mackerels, among others, has become necessary due to the ever-changing causes behind environmental issues.

Nayak predicted that northward migration of fish species would become essential and, hence, the need for flexible approaches was a matter of time. Moreover, the messages of the science congress also proved that fishing practices and the health of the ecosystem have a very firm connection. The experts stressed how mangroves, corals, and sea grasses play the role of the forces of nature and are supporting life in the seas. Sachin Chathurvedi, the Director General of the RIS, talked about the lack of inclusiveness of the global negotiations influencing small and medium-scale fishers, which is a big gap that needs to be filled.

Environmental safety, food safety, and health and culture have been the key components that are highlighted in his speech on unveiling marine-based tourism in the islands that can enhance marine resources and market access for the island nations. Overall, India’s aim of better seafood exports is an indicator of its efforts to use sea power in a sustainable way to maintain the flow of growth while protecting the sea for generations to come.

Source-THE HINDU

NABARD, after coordinating with the College of Fisheries (CoF) is set to initiate an effort of exploiting Biofloc Fish Farming (BFF) in Nagaon district to uplift the unemployed youth and fish farmers. With the ambition of strengthening skills and increasing income, two BFF Units, one at CoF, Raha, and the other at Gramsri Krishak Sangha (GKS), Garajan, Rupahihat, have been established. These units are running now and they use to cultivate various fish species like Singhi, Magur, Koi, Amur Carp. They also showcase ideal locations for training and exposure activities. Classes given by NABARD and CoF to the local youths and farmers and enlightened them on fish species selection, disease management, BFF economics, and enterprise setup.

Bifloc, an organic matter from proteins, serves as a microbial protein for fish, thereby improving their growth. BFF technology employs microbial processes inside the tank/pond that serve as a food source for cultured plants and animals. These circular BFF tanks made of tarpaulin plastic sheets can hold up to 10000 liters of water. The NABARD officials witnessed during a recent tour the utility and replicability of the BFF units. Assistant Professor Kaustubh Bhagawati emphasized that CoF has graduated around 165 fish farmers and had around 145 students on study visits. These units have become profitable businesses, pushing the youths to deviate into less costly fish farming.

Through the CoF’s BFF Unit under the revenue-generating model of AAU, the BFF systems will be disseminated to more marginalized fish farmers, and substantial revenue will be generated for its sustainability. This coordinated effort represents a crucial stage towards sustainable aquaculture and community upliftment in Nagaon district.

Fisheries department of Kerala had started the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) and now it became a significant milestone after achieving the purchase of Rs 49.5 lakh worth value-added fish products and exports to countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Both containers have been picked up and escorted to the governor’s office by CM Pinarayi Vijayan and the Minister of Fisheries, Saji Cherian.

The shipment of this volume substantiates the status of Kerala in the global markets with exports of marine products, which manifests the state’s decision to develop the amicable policy framework. This effort is targeting to enable entrepreneurial business and job creation in fisheries areas through export endeavour by promoting dried fish, frozen fish and other aquatic products worth between 10 and 100 crore rupees.

The key to true success of KSCADC’s export mark would be its modern Fish Processing Centre (FPC) located at Sakthikulangara, Kollam that uses solar power and follows international safety and quality standards. The FPC is going stronger and faster by working with the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) and the National Institute of Post-harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT). The 1-ton fish processing capacity of the FPC is now exporting both domestic and global markets ready to eat and ready to cook products.

Interestingly, in extension to its women empowerment initiative, FPC women constitute the majority of the workers at the processing and packaging phases. The KSCADC also displays its commitment to pushing environmental conservation and inclusion by promoting them through these schemes. With their eco-friendly solutions, the coastal communities are poised to achieve sustainable growth, applauding Kerala’s exemplary role as a pioneer in economic development.

The recent workshop on ‘Knowledge Building on the Korean Best Practices for Aqua and Seafood Processing and the Bilateral Partnership Dialogue’ jointly organized by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) underscores the need for seafood trade exchange relations between India and South Korea.

Pawan Kumar, the president of the Seafood Export Association of India (SEAI), highlighted the necessity of consolidating the seafood trade between India and the USA. He stressed the importance of incorporating marine products into the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, highlighting the benefits that both sides would enjoy from the trade. Mr. N. Yuvaraj, Secretary of Commerce and Industries, AP Government, believes that the state of Andhra Pradesh has a great scope in food processing and aquaculture. He highlighted the role of knowledge sharing and collaboration with South Korea to fully develop such opportunities.

The seafood industry of South Korea was highly appreciated by Mr. Woochan Chang, current country director of KOICA-India, for adopting such high-level efficiency, quality, and innovation.Ch. Kishore Kumar, member of the FAPCCI’s Managing Committee, opined that small business owners can greatly benefit from venturing into this sector. The technical sessions involved presentations by the South Korean experts on various best approaches to aquaculture and seafood processing.

The topics included preparation of feed for fish, drying techniques and salting, shrimp breeding technology, disease prevention approaches, and technological solutions for fish waste utilization. Sudipta Bhadra, Chief Technical Adviser of Promoting Sustainable Enterprises in India (PSEI) ILO, said that the workshop was a significant move towards building the partnership between India and South Korea in the seafood exporting sector. It was primarily intended to let seafood exporters have easy access to the South Korean market.

The secretary of the department of fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, went to Getalsud Dam in Ranchi, Jharkhand, to check the progress of cage farming, a cooperative effort of the Jharkhand department of fisheries. Getalshod Reservoir is a lively and active base for cage culture, specializing in Pangasius and Tilapia. Some 16 villages have been in operation through close collaboration with the fish farmers, using RCC pipes and modular cages.

The results have been quite thrilling: an average of 3–4 tons per cage and more than Rs. 95 lakh annually. earning 4 lakhs annually in profit. A surge in capacity-building programs such as Blue Revolution, RKVY, and PMMSY has seen the rise of cage culture in 2012–13, with 365 cages upstream. Also, there is a special allocation for reservoir stocking with around 25 lakh fingerlings annually, which has further improved the fish population. With thorough networks in marketing, products are established, allowing fish to be sold at Rs. 120.

The European Union is actively promoting the principles of fair competition and transparency in business decisions to maintain a level playing field amongst its trading partners and reduce the risk of carbon leakage. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi not only had conversations with cage fish farmers but also urged them toward adopting the vast unutilized features of the reservoir, which was assessed to be about 32 lakh hectares. These types of flagship projects incorporating the CSS on Blue Revolution and PMMSY have been one of the key investments that have highly influenced aquaculture farming and its development. The latter saw the sanction of 14022 cages, which aggregated to be worth Rs. While the one at Rewa cost Rs. 420 crores, the Vidarbha plant undertook an investment of Rs 44,908unit cages and an estimated project cost of Rs. 1292. Rs. 53 crore, which decreased from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

Dr.Abhilaksh Likhi’s visit proves that cage farming of ripples is the superior approach for the Getalsud Dam and, at the same time, shows how rich the upcoming years into the future may be for the growth of the fisheries sector of India when reservoir resources will be fully exploited and learn how to make good use of them.