Eco-friendly and sustainable Asian seabass culture system : An alternate candidate species other than shrimp for brackishwater aquaculture

摘要

In Maharashtra, traditional culture of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) is carried out in khar land intertidal areaof the Thane and Raigad district of Maharashtra. Nowadays, the system of improved monoculture and polyculturesystems aregetting popular among farmers. The state is having 720 km long coastal line with of 80,000 hectares of total brackish waterarea adjusant to creeks with high potential for finfish and shrimp farming. As per the micro level survey, 10,000 ha area isavailable in five maritime districts for brackish water aquaculture. Due to frequent break out of viral diseases during cultureperiod of shrimp farming, some farmers are opting eco-friendly and sustainable finfish culture systems. In this situation, theAsian seabass is most suitable candidate species to the farmers for monoculture and polycultureso as to have alternativecropping system to avoid such disease out brake. Asian seabass is euryhalinespecies having predatory carnivorous feedinghabit and very popular in konkan region due to its delicate flavored flesh. Hence, it fetches very high demand and market priceof Rs.600-800 per kg in local market. The faculty of Fisheries under Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth have conductedseveral trials of monoculture and polyculture of seabass on their research farms and trying to demonstrate and expand thisimproved culture activities on farmers ponds. However there are some challenges such as availability of uniform seed size, feed,financial support, technical know-how to rapidly expand these activities on large scale.