HRD talk

An interview with George Pius Tharayil, Director,

Pimarine Hatcheries,Chennai.

0Can you tell us how you ventured into the field of aquaculture and what Is the market situation?

In the early 1990's government and organisations like Marine Products Export Development Authority) MPEDA started propagating aquaculture as a sunrise industry and conducted seminars to encourage people to start venturing into this field. I entered the field in collaboration with a bigger player, butas soon as I set up the hatchery the industry took a beating. There was widespread infection, which destroyed the stocks, and the Supreme Court also issued a ban on aquaculture.

I found that after investing my money into the project. There was no market and I was left with a dead investment. I re-started the hatchery only threeyears ago as the industry is slowly limping back to normalcy and aqua farmsin Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have started re-stocking. The farmers have also become very cautious. They now insist on testing your stock before buying it to prevent any kind of epidemic.

Since the market crashed our production costs have gone up, the motherprawns and the nauplii or the eggs have become very costly while on the other hand the price of the semi-mature shrimp has crashed. Initially itused to sell at Re.1 per seed but now it sells at a much lower price. Moreover, this is a labour intensive industry because the shrimps have to befed regularly, the tanks have to be cleaned periodically and seawater has tobe pumped in and out. The market now is just limping along; the heydaysseemed to have long gone.

As far as of export is concerned it is out at the moment because the babyshrimps are very delicate and have to be transported with great care.

Why did the Supreme Court issue a ban on aquaculture?

There was a writ petition submitted by the Sarvodaya activists highlighting the harmful effects of acquaculture encouraging the court to ban the operations. The reason they had stated was that acquaculture polluted the sea as well as the ground water endangering marine ecosystems.

I would like to make it clear that hatcheries can only be set up near the seashores as the creatures survive only in seawater. We pump in seawater through pipes in to the tanks, and change this water by pumping it out and pumping a fresh batch of seawater. While pumping out the seawater from the tanks care should be taken to disinfect the water and make sure that all the impurities have been removed. If this is not done then there is a danger of polluting the sea. The marine life also come under threat because even if there are traces of infection or residual matter. The same way if the tanks are not cleaned and fumigated regularly then there is a threat of polluting the ground water due to stagnation.

Instead of making all the proper procedures compulsory and monitoring the units, an arbitrary ban was issued and this came as a big blow to all of us in the industry.

What about monetary assistance?

Initially the banks were very eager to provide loans to people interestedin this industry. They were very keen on being a part of a developing industry and the profits it would bring. However, when there were so many crop failures and on environment grounds the Supreme Court banned aquaculture, they became very nervous and started pulling out of projects and demanding their money back. My bank thankfully, was very understanding and stood by me during the difficult times and I have started repaying the money they had loaned.

Many of the smaller hatcheries were however hit badly by this attitude of the financiers and had to close shop permanently.

As this is a labour intensive industry what are the scales for remuneration?

For maintaining the plant the local people are employed on a contractual basis and they are paid very well. They have to work in shifts because the plant needs constant attention and the feeding schedules should be followed correctly. Technicians who are graduates in fisheries are employed to oversee the operations, and constantly monitor the health and hygiene of theplant. They have to maintain a constant temperature of the water, the salinity rate should be controlled and the water should be aerated at alltimes so that the creatures can breathe. The workers have to monitor it round the clock to check for any kind of infection or mechanical problems.

These technicians are usually paid anywhere from Rs. 15,000 plus benefits and experienced people command even a higher salary.

What are the future prospects in this industry?

The industry is gradually looking up and there are good chances of it prospering. The numbers of players have increased rapidly and now there is fierce competition. However only the best will be able to stand the test oftime and prosper. I personally feel that the government and MPEDA, must lend greater support to the hatchery owners.

MALINI SURYANARYANAN