ICAR- Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai and Matsyafed, Govt of Kerala (Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd., Thiruvananthapuram) signed and exchanged an MOU for the collaborative programme on Brackishwater Aquaculture initiatives in Kerala on 16th January 2016 at Hotel Safire, Kannur. This strategic MoU is meant for joint development of sustainable brackishwater farming models for promoting brackishwater aquaculture in Kerala. Satellite nursery rearing of popular farmed Brackishwater finfishes viz. Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), Milkfish (Chanos Chanos) and Pearl spot (Etroplus suratensis), hatchery production of high health seeds of penaeid shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon and Penaeus indicus) and establishment of feedmill for the production of cost-effective formulated feeds are some of the programmes on the anvil under this MoU. Promoting brackishwater aquaculture models relevant to Kerala using scientific expertise of ICAR- CIBA using Matsyafed facilities like shrimp hatchery, Moplabay, Kannur and developing a sustainable polyculture – Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), finfish seed banks etc are planned. CIBA will provide the required expertise and technology support.
Dr.K.P.Adam Kutty, Manager, Matsyafed Hatchery welcomed the gathering. Sri.P.Prabakaran, Member of Board of Directors, Matsyafed gave presidential address. Dr. K.K.Vijayan, Director, CIBA appreciated Matsyafed for having come forward for the collaboration. Smt.V.Rekha, Deputy General Manager, Members from Board of Directors of Matysafed, Scientists from CIBA, Dr.Krishna Sukumaran, Finfish Culture Division and Shri..K.P.Sandeep, Nutrition, Genetics and Biotechnology Division were also present on the occasion.
Shri.Maniranjan Pillai, Assistant Manager, Matsyafed gave the vote of thanks.
