Four decades ago the Adyar Creek teemed with fish, drawing birds from far off shores for food. Today, efforts are on to grow fish, albeit in cages, in the now-restored but ecologically fragile, water body. Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) has set up cages to help local fishermen harvest three species of fish. CIBA director K K Vijayan told TOI that after the creek was cleaned by Chennai River Restoration Trust, it was decided to help local fishermen by setting up cages in a portion of the water body. “Initially the species of sea bass, pearl spot and milkfish were released into the cages. We provided the feed for the fish. But only milkfish survived in the cages,” said Vijayan. “Poor tidal movement could have affected the survival of the other two species we believe,” he said. For its pilot project, near Srinivasapuram after the creek was restored, CIBA has adopted the family farming mode. Since its launch in February, CIBA has trained 10 people from five families to feed the fish and monitor their growth. Srinivasapuram resident TSP Ravi, one of the beneficiaries of the project, said sand from the river had to be cleared regularly for the tidal movement to be favourable for fish culture. “A good tidal movement will help the fish grow,” he said. Since February, twice — once in two months — fish samples from the cages were collected and sent to Central Institute of Fisheries Technology for quality checks. This was necessary because the eastern side of the creek, a dumping ground for those living in the thatched houses, is highly polluted. The laboratory results have been positive so far. Ravi said a milkfish could be harvested in six months and a fish weighing 1kg would fetch Rs 150, which the beneficiaries can share among themselves. “CIBA has given us a good livelihood option which will provide an alternative income in the future,” Ravi said. Vijayan said fishermen involved in the project need not work full time. “This is an ancillary activity. They have to visit the cages twice a day for feeding. They can attend to their daily businesses after that,” he said. By August-end, CIBA is hoping for a rich harvest and the fishermen good earnings. Vijayan said if the breeding of milkfish in the creek is successful and sustainable, more such cage-culturing can be taken up.