Government to train fishers in Cobia cultivation

The cages would be held down in the open sea at a short distance from the shore at an approximate depth of 20 feet with only the tops being visible. 

Anchors would ensure that the cages did not drift with the tide. “After initial training, it would be fishermen who would handle daily care and maintenance,” said official sources. 

While raising shrimp and prawns in ponds is common, this is the first time that the department is going for lobster cultivation in the open sea. The cages will have hand rails for easy handling and will be placed at specific locations in the open sea, said sources. 

Officials said that a similar experiment with the Koduva sea fish rearing was attempted in Semmencheri village near Covelong. 

“It all depends on the interest shown by fishermen who have to give in writing that they will ensure proper maintenance and care of the cages,” sources added. 

“Breeding practices if followed will ensure that fishermen earn a good profit which in turn would reduce their total reliance on daily deep sea fishing,” sources stated.