The success of Vannamei shrimp farming in the State has motivated Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) to launch more aquaculture initiatives in the State.

The University is gearing up to set up a Vannamei hatchery at its fisheries station in Puthuvypeen to produce around 20 lakh seeds within one year.

The other proposals include extending this shrimp farming into more ponds, developing farming practices of brackish water species Pompano and Cobia suitable to Kerala’s particular ecosystem.

It may be recalled that Vannamei harvest in the pilot farming in June recorded 85 per cent of survival rate with a production of 5-6 tonnes and fetching a profit of ₹14 lakh.

According to B Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice-Chancellor, the first of its kind hatchery would be utilised for farming purposes of the University and for farmers associated with it in the initial stage. However, KUFOS has sought permission of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Chennai, for converting its newly-completed hatchery complex. In the second phase, shrimps will be cultured in 11 more ponds with a size of 1,000 sq m each. It is expected to produce 11 tonnes from 11 ponds after farming in mid-September, he said.

KUFOS has been engaging with the development of Vannamei farming technologies in varying densities in association with Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture. There are also plans to develop a Vannamei farming system similar to that of being followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu by fully exploiting the potentials of brackish water resources in Kerala.

Some private entrepreneurs have shown interest in associating with KUFOS to popularise this farming method in Kerala, Kurup said, adding that the proposed hatchery would boost shrimp production and thereby exports from the State.

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