Skill development training on recent advances in seed production and farming of brackishwater finfishes to the stakeholders

ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai conducted two hands-on training programme on ‘Seed production and farming of brackishwater finfishes’ during 5th to 9th September, 2022 at its headquarters Chennai and during 1-7th September, 2022 at its Kakdwip Research Centre in West Bengal respectively. Twenty participants consisted of fish farmers, start-up entrepreneurs, State Fisheries Department Officials and aquaculture consultants attended the training.

Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, who inaugurated the trainings, elucidated the importance of species diversification and location specific farming systems to attain sustainability in brackishwater aquaculture sector.

Dr.M. Kailasam, Principal Scientist & Scientist-in-Charge, Fish Culture Division briefed that topics covered during the skill development included brood stock development, induced breeding, larval raring, live feed culture, nursery rearing, grow out culture systems, fish health management, fish nutrition and feed development of candidate finfish species such as seabass, milkfish, grey mullet and ornamental fishes.

The trainees were taken to seabass fish nursery rearing and ornamental fish hatchery as field visits and interacted with the women self-help groups who are operating these farming systems to get practical training.

In his concluding remarks, the director stated that handholding of potential farmers and youth by progressive farmers, state departments and research institutions is needed to augment seed production and finfish farming in the country.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai)