Water Fin Pvt Ltd , Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICAR-CIBA on 04.02.2020 for the transfer of seabass (Lates calcarifer) seed production technology. Technology support under this MoU covers development of land based seabass broodstock, technical demonstration of maturation and spawning, fertilized egg transportation and incubation and technical assistance for rearing of Asian Seabass larvae into fry size.
Dr K. K. Vijayan, Director, CIBA and Mr. B. Ravi Prakash, Executive Director, Water Fin Pvt Ltd, Andhra Pradesh signed the MoU in the presence of scientists and staff of CIBA and Water Fin Pvt Ltd.
On this occasion, Dr K K Vijayan, Director, CIBA has emphasised the importance of species diversification and farming of finfish species such as seabass, in the development of brackishwater aquaculture in the country. Citing the success story in shrimp seed production in India, he has pointed out the role of private hatcheries for commercial scale seabass seed production to meet the increasing seed demand among the farmers and stated that this seed production facility would be able to meet immediate seed demand not only for the small and medium scale of aqua farmers of Andhra Pradesh but also in other parts of the country. Technology backstopping efforts by CIBA to bring in more candidate species for farming in brackishwater aquaculture sector is need of the hour. Hence, CIBA is happy to be partnering with entrepreneurs such as Water Fin Pvt Ltd, Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. B. Ravi Prakash, Executive Director, Water Fin Pvt Ltd spoke on the occasion and added, though their primary business is in logistics they find lot of opportunities for seabass aquaculture as a business in India in which production and supply of seed will have more business prospects. Therefore, this long-waited alliance with CIBA comes at the right time, and Water Fin Ltd is happy to associate with ICAR-CIBA.
Dr M.Kailasam Principal Scientist and team leader for seabass seed production technology briefed about the significance of this MoU and outlined the genesis of this initiative. The program was ended with vote of thanks by Dr P.K Patil, Principal Scientist & OIC, ITMU of CIBA.
