The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has developed a new fish breed suitable for Indian conditions. Scientists at CMFRI found the new variety ‘Pompano’ surviving even in saline waters outside the sea waters, which is rare for fish breeds.
“Popularly known as Chanduva in AP, this rare variety of Pomfret is not available even in sea waters now,” CMFRI (Kochi) director G Syda Rao told TOI. Scientists say the breed will change the economic conditions of poor fishermen, particularly during the 45-day conservation period when the government bans fishing activity.
“Pompano could usher in revolution if the government hands over barren lands on the coast to fishermen to hatch this fish as it can survive all adverse atmosphere conditions and help them get good returns,” said a marine scientist at CMFRI. Each fish weighs around 450 grams and a yield of about 1.5 tonnes is expected from each acre. “The yield from each acre would easily give the fishermen returns of over Rs 3 lakh,” explained Syda Rao. The fishermen groups could earn at least Rs 25-30 lakh annually if they go for cultivation in five acres, scientists point out.
But CMFRI is facing a hurdle as it is not in a position to hatch the fish in large quantities and is looking forward to the private parties to chip in. In this context, CMFRI said the state governments should take the lead in helping the traditional fishermen cultivate the new breed. A near two-month fishing layoff during the summer is a crisis period for the fishermen families as most of them depend on the local moneylenders to make both ends meet.
With moneylenders charging huge rate of interest, the fishermen are forced to sell their stocks at cheap rates. “But in case of Pompano, they could go for three crops a year,” said fish exporter Anantha Nagesh Babu. Since the yield is expected within four months unlike other fish varieties which take a longer time to breed, it’s a win-win situation for the fishermen.
Nagesh Babu said the government should contemplate leasing out small portions of barren land to the fishermen self-help groups so that the fishermen’s dependence on moneylenders would come down drastically.
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