CMFRI develops breeding tech for Indian fish species

Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) has a high commercial value both in domestic and international markets. According to Kochi-headquartered CMFRI Director A. Gopalakrishnan, this is the first report of successful mass scale seed production of Indian pompano in the world. The technology was developed at the CMFRI’s Visakhapatnam Regional Centre after two years of research. 

“The achievement is a major breakthrough in Indian mariculture business which will help the farming community to use the hatchery produced seeds of Indian pompano for cage farming,” he said. This is the fifth such achievement by the CMFRI after the institute developed seed production technology of cobia, silver pompano, orange spotted grouper and pink ear emperor. 

Indian pompano, locally known as Avoli Vatta, is the most suitable species for cage culture considering its fast growth rate, easy adaptability to culture conditions, quick acceptance of artificial feed, good meat quality and high consumer preference. 

The technology was developed with the help of Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), a new facility in fish farming. “At a time when present capture fishery is facing stagnation in the country, the CMFRI is more focussing on increasing marine fish production through mariculture,” said Gopalakrishnan.