Kochi: Coastal aquaculture is getting a major boost, with the cage fish farming model is being widely popularised in different parts of the state under the technical guidance of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Even non-farming community has turned into the less expensive fish farming model after they received the technical and capacity enhancement training of CMFRI.

The institute provided technical support to those interested in the cage farming to equip them launch the farming by giving guidance on areas such as cage fabrication and installation, site identification, seed selection, feed management and trading.

The participants launched farming of commercially important fish varieties such as pearl spot, sea bass, red snapper, tilapia and giant trevally in the brackish and fresh water bodies in their respective regions. Besides Ernakulam where the maximum number of cage farming enterprises is in operation, the initiative has been started in six other districts namely Kannur, Malappuram, Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kollam.

The success story of cage fish farming in Pizhala in Ernakulam which has attracted more people including non-farmers into the cage culture, says Dr Imelda Joseph, Head of Mariculture Division. “There are around 100 farming units in place in Pizhala Island under the guidance of CMFRI where most of the farmers are women”, she said.

“Two years ago, farmers in Kerala were not much interested in investing money on cage culture, but now the situation has changed. More people are approaching CMFRI to launch cage farming”, Dr Imelda said.