KOCHI:ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Ernakulam) of CMFRI has initiated a biological management technology to grow fish which feed on aquatic weeds in public ponds. This comes at a time when many of our fresh water resources, particularly ponds are not in usable condition due to excessive growth of aquatic weeds. It is estimated that there are approximately 140 species of aquatic weeds in our water bodies. Among these Salvinia, Hydrilla and Pistia are the most detrimental to fresh water resources. Though there are many weedicides available in the market to control these weeds, scientists state that this cause damage to the fish stock and also to the ecosystem.
According to officials, the innovative technology is aimed at growing certain species of fresh water fish which feed on the above species of weeds. The common name of this fish is Grass Carp. Its species name is Ctenopharyngodon idella. Since this fish cannot breed in ponds, its management is easy, officials said. A pond of one-acre size filled with aquatic weeds, requires 20 Grass Carp fish. This fish feed aquatic weeds up to two to three times of its body weight and grows up till 50kgs. The fish seeds are available in the market.
The demonstration of this technology initiated by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Ernakulam) of CMFRI was held at Thripunithura, Kodamkulam.
The programme was inaugurated by Thripunithura Muncipal Chairman R Venugopal. ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Director A Gopalakrishnan extended the keynote address. The Municipal Vice Chairperson Thilothama Suresh, Counsellors T Rajeev, Sasi Vellayakatt were present.