KOCHI: Greater Cochin Development Authority is gearing up for large-scale cage farming of seabass at Rameswaram, near Fort Kochi.
The Authority has drawn up a Rs. 5-crore plan for the eco cage farming project, which also aims to tap tourism potential in the area.
Around 30,000 seabass fingerlings, weighing half-a-gram each, will be released into cages spread over three acres in Rameswaram where preparations are on for the project, said a press release here.
The fingerlings, which can attain a body weight of 50 grams each within 70 to 80 days, are being readied at a hatchery at Andhakaranazhy, near Cherthala.
The fish harvest is expected in six months when they attain a body weight of 1,000 grams and GCDA expects a total fish yield of 25,000 kg, the press release added.
GCDA will follow the intensive re-circulatory aquaculture model for the fish farming project and if it is successful, the model will be replicated in pokkali rice fields in the district.
The farm will be located close to the Pandarchira canal, which is linked to the Vembanad backwaters. The water body where the cages will be located is being cleaned and deepened for the purpose, the press release added.
