Port Blair, June 13: The seasonal freshwater fish seed production through induced breeding successfully commenced in Freshwater Fish Seed Farm, Nayagoan of Department of Fisheries. The Departmental fish seed farm is operating with sufficient Breeder/Nursery ponds/Circular hatchery for systematic selection, breeding and seed production of Indian Major Carps including Catla, Rohu and Mrigal to cater the demand of freshwater fish seed thereby promoting Freshwater Aquaculture activities in A&N Islands. The breeding season starts from the month of June and closes by October every year. During this period, fresh water fish seed of various stages (Spawn, Fry and Fingerlings) is produced and supplied to the fish farmers at nominal rates for further stocking in their ponds.

To begin with the seed production activity during the ongoing season, first  sets of Catla fish was administered hormonal injection on 09/06/2023 and approximately 85 Liters of fertilized egg was recovered which resulted in hatching of approximately 14 Lakh healthy spawns for nursery rearing. Out of which, six lakhs of Catla spawn were supplied to the farmers having nursery ponds for rearing. Another 8 lakh of Catla spawn have been stocked in the nursery ponds of Departmental farm and distribution to the farmers, after 15-20 days of nursery rearing. The process for production of Rohu and Mrigal fish seed is also initiated by the Fish Seed Farm of Department of Fisheries. Interested farmers of South Andaman District have been requested to contact the In-Charge, Fish Seed Farm, Nayagaon for fish seed with the details of fish ponds.