India’s Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has developed a new seed production technology for red snapper.
The institute has spent five years developing the technology, which it said is “a major boost to diversification of brackish-water aquaculture in the country” as red snapper is a high-value fish in the country, CIBA said in a statement on 26 May.
Red snapper is a local favorite due to its meat quality and taste, CIBA said. Demand for the fish among Indian consumers is high and consistent, with stable market prices ranging from INR 400 to INR 600 (USD 5.50 to USD 8.20, EUR 4.50 to EUR 6.70) per kilogram.
Due to its fast growth and abilities to adapt to farming conditions and artificial feed input, the fish can be raised in brackish water in various rearing systems including ponds, pens, and cages. It can be grown to marketable size of between 300 grams and 500 grams per fish in less than six months.
The institute said it has sent the first batch of fingerlings to selected farmers in Tamil and Kerala states. Broodstock developed from the fingerlings raised by the farmers will be bought by CIBA on a buy-back agreement for further breeding.
“With this achievement, the CIBA has introduced one more candidate species for brackishwater aquaculture diversification and sustainability,” CIBA Director K K Vijayan said. “Now, the fish farmers have diversified options to choose their candidate species for aquaculture. The feat will help increase the domestic production through brackishwater aquaculture in the country.”
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Deputy Director General J K Jena said the new hatchery technology will help produce more quality seed, benefitting India’s aquaculture sector.
CIBA has already developed breeding technologies of other species such as sea bass, milkfish, and grey mullet.
Photo courtesy of Indian Council of Agricultural Research
