Dr. R. Subburaj

Dr. R. Subburaj, Senior scientist, Finfish Culture Division at ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture Chennai. Graduated from  Madurai Kamaraj University and Post Graduation from Annamalai University.  Obtained Ph.D degree in Fishery science – Zoology (interdisciplinary) from University of Madras.  Joined as Technical Assistant (T-3) in August 1997, since then promoted as Assistant Chief Technical Officer in 2017,  got selected through ASRB direct recruitment as a Senior Scientist in 2025.  Ever since joined in the profession being continuing  in the Finfish Culture Division (FCD)  R & D programme of CIBA. The major contribution includes technology development, demonstration and transfer of technologies in fish breeding and culture specially in Bhetki (Asian seabass).  He played main role in the controlled breeding and seed production and culture of economically important brackishwater fin fishes Seabass, Milkfish, Mullet, Snapper and ornamental fishes scat and mono angel for the first time in India.  During his tenure at CIBA,  main thrust area is development of comprehensive sustainable technology including year round breeding, quality seed production, protocols for viable nursery rearing and culture.

Demonstrated the techno economic viability of brackishwater fishes in ponds and small net cages which can be followed by small scale farmers as livelihood option. Institute developed technologies on fish breeding and culture are demonstrated and transferred to government agencies RGCA and state governments, private entrepreneur’s like CANARES LLP, Kumta, Billion Aqua, Machilipatnam and Waterfin hatchery at Mypad, A.P      and aquafarmers.   Acquired overseas training in reputed finfish hatchery Aquastream at Ploemeur,  Lorient, France and Hatchery management protocols at Montpelier University centre at Set, France, also attended national training organized by CIFE, NAARM and USFDA & CAA programmes. He served as  PI and Co-PI of various institute projects and  externally funded research projects  sponsored by World Bank, Indo-French collaboration, NFDB, NAIP, DBT, Mangrove cell, Govt. of Maharashtra  and Kerala.

• Breeding and seed production technology for brackishwater finfish food fishes seabass, milkfish, mangrove red snapper, grey mullet and pearlspot.
• Development and demonstrations of three tier model nursery, pre grow out and grow out culture of Asian seabass in ponds and cages
•  Live feed culture technologies for Algal and rotifer  as stock and mass culture in finfish hatchery
• Development of seed production technology for brackishwater ornamental fish breeding and culture
• Technology transfer of hatchery and seed production   of  Asian seabass

Current Research Projects

• Received K.Chidambaram Memorial Annual Award -2015 and the certificate for significant contribution in development of technology for the culture of Asian seabass Lates calcarifer  awarded by the Fisheries Technocrats Forum, Chennai
• Received Best Technical officer  from SCAFI – CIBA, Chennai for the year 2019-20
• Got best presentation award in poster session at 13th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture (IF&AF) for attaining sustainable development goals from 23 to 25th February 2024 organized by CIFRI held at Kolkata.
• Received letter of Appreciation for achieving year round breeding of Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer from Depty Director General (Fishery), ICAR-New Delhi in 2007
• Overseas training on finfish hatchery seed production at Aquastream, Ploemeur, Lorient, France and Hatchery management at Montpellier University II, Set, France  in Feb-March 2006.

• Subburaj, B. A. Venmathi Maran, A. R. T. Arasu , M. Kailasam, S. Elangeshwaran, Prem Kumar, G.Thiagarajan, K. Sukumaran,2018. First Report on Infection of Argulus quadristriatus (Arthrop Crustacea: Branchiura) on Marine Fish Cobia in Brood Stock Pond Culture, Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett042(3), 205-208
• Kumaran, K.P. Kumaraguru Vasagam, M. Kailasam, R. Subburaj, P.R. Anand, T.Ravisankar, R. Sendhilkumar, J. Santhanakumar, K.K. Vijayan 2021. Three-tier cage aquaculture of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) fish in the coastal brackishwaters - A technoeconomic appraisal. Aquaculture Vol. 543 p 737025

• Syama Dayal, J., Ahamad Ali, S., A. R. Thirunavakkarasu., M. Kailasam and R. Subburaj 2003. Nutrient and amino acid composition of Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 29: 141-147.
• Vimal, S.AbdulMajeed, K.S.N.Nambi, N.Madan, M.A.Farook, C. Venkatesa,G.Taju, S.Venu, R. Subburaj, A.R. Thirunavukkarasu, A.S. Sahul Hameed 2014. Delivery of DNA vaccine using chitosan–tripolyphosphate (CS/TPP) nanoparticles in Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) for protection against nodavirus infection.  Aquaculture 420–421 (2014) 240–246.
• Thomas, D., Rekha, M.U., Angel, J.R.J., Sreekanth, G.B., Thiagarajan, G., Subburaj, R., Kailasam, M. and Vijayan, K.K., 2021. Effects of salinity amendments on the embryonic and larval development of a tropical brackishwater ornamental silver moony fish, Monodactylus argenteus (Linnaeus, 1758). Aquaculture, p.737073.

• Kumaran,K. P. Kumaraguru Vasagam R. Subburaj, P. R. Anand, K. Ramachandran R. Geetha,D. Deboral Vimala, R Anandaraja, M. Jayanthi. Techno‑economic evaluation of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) nursery rearing in small net cages (hapas) under different coastal salinities, Aquaculture International30, pages157–172 (2022)
• Elangeswaran, A.R. Thirunavukkarasu, Prem Kumar, M. Kailasam, M. Saiyad Musthafa, R. Subburaj and G. Thiagarajan 2023. Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Female Black King Fish Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) Fishery Technology 60 (2023) : 138 – 142

• Bera, A., Kailasam, M., Mandal, B., Padiyar, A., Ambasankar, K., Sukumaran, K., Makesh, M., Kumararaja, P., Subburaj, R., Thiagarajan, G. and Vijayan, K.K., 2021. Maturity induction and extended spawning kinetics of milkfish (Chanos chanos) administered with combined GnRHa and 17α-methyl testosterone pellet at varied frequencies. Aquaculture, p.736993.