Kerala urged to set up small scale hatcheries

A national workshop on conservation of native freshwater fishes has urged the Kerala government to set up small scale hatcheries in inland regions to popularise the aquaculture practices of the species that have been listed under the endangered category.

The native freshwater species such as snake heads and cat fishes have higher commercial value compared to the usual farming varieties like Katla and Rohu. To promote the farming practices of these species, small scale regional hatcheries should be set up in inland areas, the workshop proposed.

The two-day workshop was organised by Prof Alikunhi Chair at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos).

The workshop called upon the farming community to utilise the breeding technology of the fresh water fishes and actively involve in the farming activities towards conserving the species. Boosting of farming practices of the local fish varieties would help to conserve the species.

Experts also observed that Kudumabashree units could develop small scale entrepreneurship by effectively utilising the farming technologies of the species. Indigenous traditional knowledge regarding the breeding techniques of the local fishes should be preserved, the workshop highlighted.