Fisheries Department officials, led by Joint Director R. Amal Xavier, on Wednesday released 50,000 fish seeds into an irrigation tank at Kommadikottai near Puthantharuvai under Sathankulam panchayat union in the presence of Public Works Department officials. The programme was implemented with the financial support of the National Fisheries Development Board. Fingerlings of freshwater fish varieties such as catla (5,000 in number), rohu (4,000), mrigal (4,000) and common carp (37,000) were introduced into the tank, Mr. Xavier said.
These fingerlings, measuring between five cm and eight cm, would gain one kilogram of weight and become marketable in six months. Since there was sufficient amount of water in the tank following Northeast Monsoon rains, the stakeholders would be assured of good productivity of inland fishery, the Joint Director said.
Recently, 1.20 lakh fingerlings of freshwater fishes were released into Korampallam tank under the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Waterbodies Restoration and Management Scheme at a cost of Rs 1.20 lakh, he said.
P. Chithiraikani, Puthantharuvai panchayat president, Y.A. Siluvai Michael, Kommadikottai panchayat president, V.M. Vinoth Kumar, Assistant Engineer, PWD, Srivaikuntam, S. Velu, Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Sathankulam, T. Vijayaraghavan, Inspector of Fisheries, S. Agnikumar, Sub- Inspector of Fisheries, and representatives of Water Users’ Association were present.
