ICAR – Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Kerala to set up a multi-species fish hatchery for Asian seabass, pearlspot and milkfish. The hatchery will be established at Odayam in Thiruvananthapuram district.

According to the MoU, ICAR-CIBA will provide scientific and technical support to the government for developing captive breeding and seed production of these fish species. The hatchery will target seed production of these species enabling continuous seed production in the region. In addition to being a seed production center, the partnership between CIBA and the state government also aims to support critical human resources development in the niche area through regular and continuous hands-on training programs.

The establishment of the multi-species hatchery will provide a stimulus for increasing brackishwater finfish production in the state along with livelihood generation. Dr. M. Kailasam, principal scientist and head-in-charge of Fish Culture Division of CIBA, said fish species such as seabass, milkfish and pearlspot are ideal for farming in Kerala, considering the resilient nature of the species to changing salinities and their market demand in the state.

Dr. Dinesan Cheruvat, executive director of the Agency for Development of Aquaculture of the Government of Kerala, hoped that the agency would build up more technology partnerships with CIBA in the areas such as hatchery, indigenous feeds, aquatic animal health and stock improvement in the near future.