Cage aquaculture of Indian pompano for livelihood diversification of artisanal fishers: Insights from Andhra Pradesh, India

Shubhadeep Ghosh; J. Charles Jeeva; S. S.  Raju; Sekar Megarajan; Ritesh Ranjan; Biji Xavier; Loveson Edward; A. Gopalakrishnan

doi:10.21077/ijf.2024.71.1.146898-13

Authors

Shubhadeep Ghosh
J. Charles Jeeva
S. S. Raju
Sekar Megarajan
Ritesh Ranjan
Biji Xavier
Loveson Edward
A. Gopalakrishnan

https://doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2024.71.1.146898-13

Keywords:

Andhra Pradesh, Cage farming, Gross revenue, Net operating income, Small scale fishers

Abstract

Artisanal fishers fishing in nearshore coastal waters off Visakhapatnam using motorised
crafts and in estuaries of Krishna using non-motorised crafts were selected for the study.
Their annual net operating income varied between US$ 469.63 (₹39,040) and US$ 2698.42
(₹2,24,320), respectively. Inspired by the potential of cage farming from the frontline
demonstrations in marine and estuarine waters and after acquiring appropriate skills,
15 individuals from the Traditional Fishermen’s Co-operative Society, Visakhapatnam
and 76 individuals from Yanadri Girijana Matsya Sakhara Sangam, Krishna embarked on
cage aquaculture of Indian pompano in 15 and 70 cages, respectively. Marine cages were
circular (6 m diameter) and estuarine cages were square (5 m X 5 m), and were stocked
with hatchery-produced Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) fingerlings of 22.6 g
weight @ 2500 and 1500 numbers respectively, and were fed with floating pellets at 8-3% of
biomass. Average body weight, survival and biomass production from marine and estuarine
cages after eight months of culture were 843 and 666 g, 96.28 and 91.47% and 2029.0 and
913.85 kg respectively. Deducting all capital and operational expenses, annual net operating
income per unit ranged from US$ 1247.44 (₹1,03,700) to US$ 2632.02 (₹2,18,800); which
represented a substantial increase from that of capture fishery. Cluster-cage farming, as
adopted, did not adversely impact the water and sediment quality. The current research
offers novel insights into the bio-growth and economic factors pertinent to commercial cage
farming of Indian pompano. Cage farming in marine and estuarine conditions holds a great
promise as an alternative source of livelihood for artisanal fishers, thereby bolstering their
economic sustainability.

Keywords:
Cage farming, Gross revenue, Indian Pompano, Net
operating income, Small scale fishers

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Author Biography

Shubhadeep Ghosh

Senior Scientist

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