The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has unveiled hatchery technology for the production of picnic seabream (Acanthopagrus berda), a lucrative marine food fish. This development marks a pivotal moment in diversifying the country’s mariculture activities, offering promising prospects for enhanced seafood production and economic growth.
Picnic seabream, also known as black seabream and goldsilk seabream, boasts exceptional meat quality and commands a high market value, fetching prices ranging from Rs. 450 to 500 per kilogram in the domestic market. Recognized for its rapid growth rate, robust disease resistance, and adaptability to varying environmental conditions such as salinity and temperature fluctuations, this species holds immense potential for mariculture ventures.
Dr. A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI, anticipates that the newly developed hatchery technology will catalyze a surge in India’s mariculture sector by facilitating species diversification and bolstering marine finfish production. He envisions a future where Indian mariculture experiences exponential growth, catering to the escalating demand for seafood.
The institute’s next objective is to standardize the farming protocol for picnic seabream, considering the lack of previous records regarding breeding and aquaculture practices for this species within the country. Dr. Gopalakrishnan underscores the promising commercial prospects associated with mariculture of picnic seabream, emphasizing its pivotal role in meeting the rising demand for seafood and maximizing economic benefits.
With India aiming to achieve a fish production target of 4 to 5 million metric tonnes through mariculture within the next decade, species diversification assumes paramount importance. Dr. Gopalakrishnan highlights the significance of enhancing marine cage farming systems across coastal states to realize this ambitious goal.
This milestone marks the seventh marine food fish for which breeding technology has been developed by CMFRI, following successful endeavors with species such as cobia, silver pompano, Indian pompano, orange-spotted grouper, pink ear emperor, and John’s snapper. CMFRI stands ready to transfer these pioneering technologies to interested parties seeking to engage in commercial seed production, thereby fostering growth and innovation within India’s mariculture sector.
