The Fisheries Department of West Bengal is set to introduce cage culture at two distinct water bodies—one located in New Town and another in the Kumari area along the Kangsabati River in Bankura district. State Fisheries Minister Biplab Roy Chowdhury announced the upcoming adoption of cage culture, focusing on cultivating the Pangasius pangasius variety in ponds at Nawabpur in New Town and Kumari in Kangsabati, Bankura.
This initiative follows the successful implementation of cage culture at the Kangsabati Reservoir in Mukutmanipur, Bankura, in May. The groundbreaking project featured 32 cages measuring 5×5 meters and 4 meters in depth, equipped with plastic sheets to ensure buoyancy. Fingerlings were released into these cages, marking a pioneering effort in the state’s aquaculture landscape.
Minister Roy Chowdhury is scheduled to visit the cage culture site on December 2, coinciding with the harvesting and sale of the cultivated fish. The Pangas variety released in Kangsabati Reservoir has shown significant growth, reaching weights of around 700-800 grams.
The state Directorate of Fisheries, in collaboration with ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, signed an MoU in March to promote cage culture. The project aims to disseminate table fish production through cage culture, strengthen the capacity of the Directorate of Fisheries, and empower resource user communities and cooperatives.
In a bid to address challenges related to fish theft, the Fisheries Department is contemplating the implementation of a new policy titled ‘Earn Your Wages.’ This policy is designed to counteract unfair practices by some Daily Rated Workers (DRWs), who are responsible for monitoring fishing activities. The proposed policy aims to utilize revenue generated from pond-based pisciculture, monitored by DRWs, to cover their wages. This innovative approach is expected to discourage fish theft and ensure fair compensation for the diligent workers.
During a recent session in the state Assembly, Minister Roy Chowdhury revealed that the Fisheries Department has initiated fish cultivation in 23 abandoned coal pits across seven blocks in West Burdwan, including locations like Raniganj, Andal, Barabani, Salanpur, and Jamuria. This move underscores the department’s commitment to exploring new avenues for sustainable aquaculture and addressing challenges in the fisheries sector.
