CIBA develops indigenous hatchery tech for high-value commercial fish Grey Mullet

For the very first time in the region, Chennai-primarily based Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has introduced roll-out of the indigenous hatchery technology for Gray Mullet, a substantial-valued business fish.

CIBA has effectively bred the Gray Mullet (Madavai), a very sought soon after fish for farming farmers have been awaiting such a technology for much more than 3 decades. The prolonged-awaited breeding technology is a key breakthrough that can enable improve fish production, in line with the government’s blue revolution initiatives, claimed KK Vijayan, Director, CIBA.

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Gray Mullet (recognized as Thirutha in Malayalam) is a desired selection for customers due to its style, texture, significantly less spines, and nutritional value. The fish fetches a superior market place value — in the array of ₹350-five hundred for each kg. Quickly advancement costs, omnivorous feeding routine, and acceptance of formulated pellet feed make this fish an excellent wide range not only for brackishwater farming, but also for freshwater and maritime farming, he claimed.

It can be farmed in assorted farming methods — mono lifestyle, poly lifestyle and built-in multi-trophic aquaculture manner (IMTA) — with prospective output of 4 tonnes for each hectare/crop. With expense of production at all around ₹200, he claimed, the financial gain margin is substantial for farmers.

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Thinking of its importance for brackishwater aquaculture, he claimed, CIBA has presented increased impetus in the breeding of grey mullet due to the fact 2015, lending specific concentration on establishing a captive broodstock and breeding.

One of the concerns with the breeding of grey mullet in captivity is its limited annual reproductive period of time — limited to just a few months for the duration of monsoon, and reproductive dysfunctions in captivity, and that’s why, hatchery production is challenging, he included.

This is a wonderful accomplishment towards species diversification to improve the fish production in the enormous extend of underutilized brackishwater source in the region, claimed JK Jena, DDG, (Fisheries), ICAR.

In accordance to Vijayan, CIBA has previously built commendable progress in seed production of various brackishwater meals fish species like Asian Seabass, Milkfish, Pearl Location, Whiskered Catfish as effectively as decorative species such as Noticed Scat, Moon Fish, Orange and Chromide.