ICAR-CIBA has identified the brackishwater ornamental aquariculture as a sector with greater growth prospects in the country. As a part of this, Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai signed a MOU with Mr. Joshy Paul, ‘Ornamental Fish Entrepreneur’, a progressive ornamental fish breeder and trader from Thrissur, Kerala. This is a maiden MOU by CIBA for the promotion of brackishwater ornamental aquaculture with a farmer in a partnership mode, first time in the country. In his opening remarks, Director CIBA, Dr. K.K. Vijayan, highlighted the need to develop the brackishwater ornamental fish sector on the principles of sustainability, through the development of a value chain from breeding and rearing using formulated feeds, rather than relying on unsustainable means such as capture from the wild. He underlined the need to adopt a holistic approach inclusive of nutrition, health management, genetics and novel marketing strategies in the country and overseas. Mr. Joshy Paul, spoke about the uniqueness and trade aspects of brackishwater ornamental fish species and expressed his optimism about the success of this new partnership with CIBA. Dr. M. Kailasam, Principal Scientist & Head-in-Charge, Fish Culture Division, CIBA briefed about the technological advances made by CIBA in developing seed production technologies for selected ornamental species, now with complete technology packages for silver moony, spotted scat, silver fish (milkfish), and Etroplus spp. During the MOU signing, Dr. K. K. Vijayan, Director-CIBA, along with the Fisheries Division Scientists, handed over the first batch of hatchery produced Monodactylus argenteus, Silver moony seeds to Mr. Joshy Paul. Earlier in the event, Dr.T.Ravisankar, In-charge of Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) welcomed the gathering wherein Heads of various Divisions and Scientists of the Finfish Culture Division participated in the event. Dr. P.K. Patil, ITMU delivered the vote of thanks.
