A group of farmers in Thiruthoor, near Puthenvelikkara, has had a bumper harvest of pearlspots (karimeen), red snappers (chempally) and giant trevally (vatta) from cage farming carried out under the guidance of scientists from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies.
The university authorities had introduced pen culture in which cages are moored in the water for farming fishes as part of its Samagra Matsyagramam project in the panchayat.
The total harvest was around 150 kg from seven months of farming activity in an area of 120 sq.m in the Kottappuram lake near where the Periyar empties into the backwaters.
Pen culture of fishes is a low-cost farming practice to attract youngsters and women groups into fish farming, said a statement issued by the university authorities on Sunday.
The university had successfully developed and popularised the Chinese net-based cage farming, which is inexpensive and remunerative.
Vice-chancellor of the University B. Madhusoodana Kurup, who inaugurated the harvest, said that the University would promote green aquaculture by adopting energy-free farming methods.
The Samagra Matsyagramam project implemented by KUFOS in Puthenvelikkara panchayat is one of the examples of green aquaculture, he said.
By minimising energy, avoiding manufactured feeds and fish meals and adopting eco-based methods, the University has managed to develop a sustainable farming system, he said.
He also said that the State government should come up with a new leasing policy to effectively utilise the brackish and fresh water resources in the State.
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