Development of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) for tropical brackishwater species in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, west coast of India

Abstract

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), farming of species from different trophic levels and with complimentary ecosystem function, is regarded as a suitable approach to develop a sustainable aquaculture system. In order to establish an IMTA system, a study was carried out in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India for selected tropical brackish-water species. Two equal sized pens (250 m2) were constructed for IMTA and control respectively in each land based system and open water cages were set in the estuary. Different combinations of fed species (Chanos chanos, Etroplus suratensis, Mugil cephalus, Penaeus indicus) and an extractive crop (Crassostrea madrasensis) were stocked in IMTA experimental system whereas monoculture of P. indicus served as control. Water quality characteristics were found to be within the admissible limits. Soil organic carbon was found to be lesser in the IMTA system compared to control. The productivity of IMTA system was higher than control: 3250 kg h-1 vs 2000 kg ha-1. Further, income and benefit-cost ratio was found to be higher in IMTA pens. The present study concludes that IMTA is a possible option for system diversification as well as species diversification without compromising economic profitability of culture.