KOCHI, 8 November 2024: Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has started a demonstration of giant trevally (vatta) farming, using hatchery-produced seeds from the Vizhinjam centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

Minister for Fisheries Saji Cheriyan launched the farming that is taking place at the farm of Prof.K V Thomas in Kumbalnghi.

A highly valued game fish commercially valued for its firm and excellent flesh quality, giant trevally is typically cultured in brackish waters by aqua farmers in Kerala. However, the scarcity of seeds has long been a significant hurdle in trevally aquaculture. Until recently, hatchery technology for this species was unavailable, forcing fish farmers to rely on limited numbers of juvanile fish from natural water bodies caught for rearing.

However, CMFRI's recent development of a seed production technology for this species has opened new avenues for aquaculture.

The KVK will closely monitor the fish's growth rate, feed consumption, water quality, and overall health. Experts expect an average weight of 1.5 kg per fish within the next 15 months.