Minister for Fisheries J. Mercykutty Amma has said scientific aquaculture has the capability to give a big boost to the State’s gross domestic production. Utilising waterbodies to enhance inland fish production could lead to a big growth in the State’s economy and create a lot many jobs, said Ms. Amma while inaugurating the newly set up amenity centre and research centres of excellence at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies (KUFOS) at Madavana near here on Saturday. KUFOS was set up as Asia’s first fisheries university seven years ago. That the majority of those working in fisheries research institutes and universities now were alumni of KUFOS was a matter of pride for the State, Ms. Amma said. In his presidential address, KUFOS Vice-Chancellor A. Ramachandran said the university aimed at becoming the first IIT in fisheries studies in the country. The new amenity centre spread over 9,000 sq.ft would feature institutes benefiting not just KUFOS students but the common people.