CMFR launches initiative for growing fresh water fish

At a time when the excessive growth of aquatic weeds are posing threat to the ecosystem of the fresh water resources, Ernakulam Krisjhi Vigyan Kendra of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has launched an initiative of growing fishes in the ponds to tackle the weed menace.

The KVK started the innovative technology of growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), a fresh water fish which consumes the aquatic weeds as feeds, to eliminate the aquatic weeds from the fresh water resources.

A Gopalakrishnan, Director CMFRI launched the programme by releasing fingerlings of grass carp into at a temple pond in Thripunithura near Kochi.

According to him, the excessive growth of weeds will disrupt the ecosystem of the ponds and other fresh water resources. Among the 140 species of aquatic weed in the water bodies, the varieties such as salvinia, hydrilla and pistia are the most detrimental to the fresh water resources, he said.

Grass carp consume the weeds as feeds up to the extent of 2 to 3 times of its body weight. Since the fish does not breed in the ponds, its management is easier, he said adding that the weedicides, chemical compounds to eliminate weeds, available in the market would cause damage to the fish stock and to the ecosystem.