M/s.Water Fin Pvt. Ltd, Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh who signed MoU with ICAR-CIBA, Chennai started its seabass fish hatchery construction at Mypadu, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh with a funding support of National Fisheries Development Board, Govt. of India. The proposed hatchery is being established in 2.5 acre land with a production capacity of 5 million seed / annum. Earlier, the technical staff of the firm had undergone hands-on training at fish hatchery, Muttukkadu experimental station of CIBA, Chennai on the various technical aspects of seabass hatchery technology.
Dr.Kuldeep K.Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai visited the hatchery site and interacted with the entrepreneur and emphasized the importance of species diversification with high value finfish species like seabass which has huge potential for farming in ponds and cages. The hatchery establishment will cater the seed demand of farmers not only Andhra Pradesh but also other coastal states he highlighted. Integration of fry and fingerling production of seabass in the hatchery and nursery respectively would facilitate the availability of stockable size seed for the farmers.
Dr.M.Kailasam Principal Scientist & Head-in-Charge, Fish Culture Division, CIBA Chennai expressed that supply of quality fish seed is need of the hour to promote large scale seabass farming. Shri.M.Nageshwara Rao, Joint Director of Fisheries and Shri.K.Sanjay Stephen, Fisheries Developmental Officer, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh were present on the occasion. Shri.Ravi Prakash, CEO, Water Fin Pvt Ltd thanked ICAR-CIBA Chennai and NFDB, Hyderabad for their continuous support for establishing the seabass hatchery.
