KOCHI: A group of fish farmers at Thiruthoor near Puthenvelikkara harvested a bumper catch of pearl spot (karimeen), red snapper (chempally) and giant trevally (vatta) cultivated through pen culture, under an initiative by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).
Around 150 kg of fish was harvested in the seven-month-long farming conducted in 120 sqmt in the Kottappuram lake.The KUFOS popularised pen culture, a new farming practice using net fencing, among farmers in the Puthenvelikkara panchayat as part of its Samagra Matsyagramam project aimed at popularising diversified fish farming practices. The focus of the Samagra Matsyagramam project is to attract youngsters and women groups into low-cost fish farming practices.
The varsity has successfully developed and popularised low-cost Chinese net-based cage farming in the panchayat. Pen culture was well received by the farmers, who were attracted mainly due to its low cost.
KUFOS VC B Madhusoodana Kurup, who inaugurated the harvesting, said the university would promote green aquaculture by adopting energy-free farming methods.“The Samagra Matsyagramam project launched in the Puthenvelikkara panchayat by the KUFOS is one of the finest examples of green aquaculture. By minimising energy, avoiding company feeds/fish meals and adopting eco-friendly methods, the varsity has managed to develop a new eco-friendly farming system,” said the VC.