The first of its kind harvest carried out by Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) here has proved a success, achieving a better growth rate and 85 per cent survival of the species.
KUFOS had started the trial farming of Vannamei shrimp in four ponds at its regional station in Puthuvypen in March. The objective was to develop a model farming system for this particular brackish water ecosystem. As part of this, 40,000 specific pathogen free (SPF) seeds of Vannamei shrimp were released into one pond in an area of 1,000 square metre.
After 94 days of farming, a catch of 650 kg was harvested from one pond itself. The trial farming also proved that 5.5 to six tonnes of Vannamei could be produced from one hectare, earning a profit of ₹14 lakh. This newly developed farming model is particularly suitable to the conditions of Pokkali fields.
Kerala Fisheries Minister, K.Babu, who participated in the harvest festival, said that the trial farming proved that this white leg shrimp can be cultured successfully in the State’s brackish water ecosystem and the pilot culture would make it easier to usher in a ‘Vannamei revolution’ in the coming years.
The newly developed Vannamei shrimp farming model will be extended to other parts of the State, he said adding that the government would utilise the highly prospective inland water resources and Pokkali fields for its farming to boost aquaculture production.
According to fishery experts, many of the states like Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu took advantage of the introduction of Vannamei in their culture basket of shrimp more than six years back. However, Kerala was far behind even though the State emerged as a model in shrimp farming in the past.