An enterprising fish trader who had been coordinating with the Fisheries department and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in creating awareness among the fishermen of the depleting marine resources, has launched ranching of ‘rock lobster,’ a commercially viable and important species.
S Ghori Mohamed, who had launched ranching of ‘swimming blue crab’ in Bay of Bengal in Mandapam north sea in June last year, launched the ranching of ‘rock lobster’ also called ‘green lobster’ in Gulf of Mannar in Mandapam south sea on Tuesday.
The entrepreneur, who had attended training programmes in Central Marine Fisheries Institute (CMFRI) and MSSRF’s awareness programme on sustainable fishing and conservation, had been engaged in ranching of rare and high value species to enlighten the fishing community on the need for sustainable fishing.
The survival rate in micro level ranching may not be high but he demonstrated the method to create awareness among the fishermen of the depleting marine resources and warn them against over exploitation of the resources, he said. “Ranching at micro level may not yield the desired result but I keep doing it to create awareness among the fishermen,” Mr. Mohamed told The Hindu .
The exporter who had set up the fish trading company four years ago at the Mandapam north seashore, had been hatching lakhs of ‘swimming blue crabs’ with the help of brooders caught live by fishermen through laboratory process in his company and letting them into the sea. This was the first time, he has launched the ranching of ‘green lobster,’ he said.
He had bought the mother lobster from a fisherman for Rs. 2,500, 10 days ago and helped it hatch about 25 lakh seeds through laboratory process. Only about 50 per cent survived and about 10 lakh seeds were let into the sea, Mr. Mohamed said. Even if 20 to 25 per cent survived it would make a big impact, he added.
Officials from the Fisheries department, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation,were present at the ranching programme.
