CMFRI’s novel venture yields bumper harvest of green mussels

An experimental farming on a professional scale has proved that the modern farming technology — Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) apply — is productive and very well suitable to Kerala’s ecosystem.

A bumper harvest of environmentally friendly mussel was recorded in the integrated farming blended with cage fish and seaweed farming undertaken by the Central Marine Fisheries Investigation Institute below participatory manner with fish farmers in Moothakunnam in Ernakulam district.

The IMTA combines acceptable proportions of fish, seaweeds and filter feeding bivalves in farming to develop well balanced methods for environmental and economic balance. CMFRI began the undertaking in December past year as part of its investigate initiative for acquiring a sustainable cage fish farming model suitable for Kerala’s ecosystem.

Improved produce

The very first harvest between the a few crops of the integrated farming, yielded close to one tonne of environmentally friendly mussel from a hundred and fifty strings hung close to as a lot of as 4 fish cages. Particular person mussels grew to the size of 72 g which is a productive advancement charge in mussel farming. Even as the harvest was having put in the course of the Covid lockdown, the total generate bought out in no time as there was a massive need for environmentally friendly mussels.

A excellent harvest with superior advancement charge of environmentally friendly mussel confirmed that IMTA apply is economically feasible and very well suitable to Kerala’s situation. A scientific group led by Shoji Joseph, Principal Scientist of CMFRI, also observed that the fishes within the cage attained superior advancement and seaweed currently being cultured close to the cage confirmed wholesome standing with rapidly advancement charge. Fish will be harvested by the close of the subsequent month.

CMFRI Director A Gopalakrishnan claimed the institute would take actions to popularise the IMTA apply across the coastal States as in the case of cage fish farming. CMFRI has productively designed a model of IMTA apply on open up sea waters of Tamil Nadu which will help coastal people today fetch greater cash flow.