KOCHI, 13 September 2018 : The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Wednesday kick-started a major project that envisages implementing 500 cage fish farming units in Kerala.

Supported by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Hyderabad, the project envisions subsidy and technical support to the farmers to conduct cage fish farming across the coastal districts in the state.

According to the programme, 40% of the total expense will be given as subsidy to the farmers who can conduct farming individually or in groups. Women and those from the SC/ST category will get 60% subsidy.

The project was formally launched in Nettoor in Ernakulam district by stocking 1500 and 500 each fingerling of seabass and pearl spot respectively into four cages. Sree Badra Kudumbasree unit comprising 10 members is carrying out the farming in Nettoor.

CMFRI would be implementing 1000 cage fish farming units in Kerala and Karnataka with the financial support of the NFDB, CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan said during the launch of the project. “The programme is aimed at improving the living standards of those living in the coastal regions of the state, besides ensuring the availability of quality and fresh fish across the state”, he said.

“Cage fish farming units will be set up in the coastal regions in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode in coming days. Species such as sea bass, pearl spot, cobia, pompano and red snapper will be selected for the farming accordingly”, he said.  

Maradu Municipality Chairperson Sunila Sibi inaugurated the event. Dr Imelda Joseph, Mariculture Division Head of CMFRI and Ajitha Kumar, Ward Councillor spoke on the occasion.

The CMFRI team selected the farmers among the applications received after reviewing the spot and various conditions of the water resources.

Training to fishermen

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will provide training in cage fish farming to the fishermen who have registered with Kerala Fishermen’s Welfare Fund Board. The training is for 100 fishermen in two batches from September 24 to 29 at CMFRI. The training will cover the areas such as cage fabrication, site selection, seed selection, feed management, harvest, etc. For registration, contact Mariculture Division of the CMFRI. Phone 0484 2394867.