KOCHI:
As part of plans to make available a wide variety of fish seeds to aquaculturists, the sale of Silver Pompano seeds was launched at the Multispecies Aquaculture Complex of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) at Vallarpadam, near Kochi, on Wednesday.
Rajni Sekhri Sibal, Secretary (Fisheries), Govt of India, inaugurated the sale of Silver Pompano seeds, developed by MPEDA, with the help of its research wing, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA). MPEDA chairman K S Srinivas, B. Sreekumar, Secretary MPEDA, and Dr Manoj of Multispecies Aquaculture Complex, were present.
Silver Pompano is the most preferred fish in western coast especially in Konkan region. The fish reaches the size of 350 to 400 grams within 6 months in ideal culture condition, with a production cost not exceeding Rs.150 per kg.
Sibal, who is also the first Secretary of the newly formed Fisheries Department, appreciated the efforts taken by the MPEDA-RGCA to supply seeds of various species of fish to the aquaculture farmers. She said that the State Governments can get the technology from MPEDA-RGCA and set up similar facilities to cater to the needs of the aquaculture farmers.
The Vallarpadam Multispecies Aquaculture Complex, inaugurated by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu in December 2018, has achieved a turnover of Rs 1 crore in 100 days by selling seeds of GIFT, Seabass and Black Tiger.
