ICAR-CIBA, Chennai Unveils Deboning Technology to Popularize Milkfish

11 September 2026, Chennai

In a significant step towards enhancing the marketability and consumer acceptance of milkfish (Chanos chanos), the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, has introduced an innovative deboning technology that effectively removes the numerous fine intermuscular bones that have long limited the fish's popularity among consumers.

Milkfish, often referred to as the "Brackishwater Carp," is a highly promising species for diversifying India's brackishwater aquaculture sector. As a herbivorous fish, it can be produced economically at an average farming cost of about ₹100 per kilogram while fetching a farm-gate price of nearly ₹200 per kilogram, making it an attractive option for farmers. ICAR-CIBA has developed and standardized the complete production technology package for milkfish, covering seed production, farming practices, and cost-effective feed formulation.

Under suitable farming conditions, milkfish can attain a marketable size of around 500 grams within six months, achieving a productivity of 4.5–5.0 tonnes per hectare. The fish is highly nutritious, rich in quality protein, and characterized by its delicate white flesh. Despite these advantages, consumer preference has remained limited due to the presence of numerous fine intermuscular bones that make consumption difficult.

To address this longstanding challenge, ICAR-CIBA has introduced a practical deboning technique that significantly improves consumer convenience and creates opportunities for producing a range of value-added fish products. To popularize this innovation, ICAR-CIBA organized an Awareness-cum-Demonstration Programme on Milkfish Deboning and Value Addition at its Muttukadu Experimental Station on 11 September 2026. The event attracted a diverse audience comprising fish farmers, fisher self-help groups, entrepreneurs, representatives from aquaculture and seafood industries, seafood restaurant operators, students, and other stakeholders from the fisheries sector.

During the programme, scientists harvested farm-grown milkfish from the institute's culture ponds and conducted live demonstrations of the deboning process. Participants were also shown the preparation of various value-added, ready-to-cook milkfish products with enhanced consumer appeal and commercial potential.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M. Kailasam, Director, ICAR-CIBA, stated that "The removal of fine intermuscular bones boosts its wider acceptance and consumption of milkfish despite its excellent nutritional qualities and affordability. Through this deboning technology, ICAR-CIBA has addressed a critical market barrier and opened new opportunities for value addition, entrepreneurship, and increased consumer acceptance of this low-cost, nutritious fish."

The initiative forms part of ICAR-CIBA's broader efforts to promote sustainable and profitable brackishwater aquaculture while creating value-chain opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and seafood processors. The farming demonstration and post-harvest value-addition activities were financially supported by the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad.

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