CHENNAI, June 30, 2026 – ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) marked a significant milestone today as Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, New Delhi inaugurated several high-tech facilities and solidified key industry partnerships to bolster India’s aquaculture sector.
Strengthening Research and Infrastructure: The visit saw the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Genome Editing Laboratory and Biosecure Rearing Facility. These units are set to revolutionize the industry by developing gene-edited fish species with enhanced growth and production rates. Dr. Jena also launched a Seabass Modular Hatchery, a DST-funded initiative designed to empower coastal communities through cluster farming models and improved value chains.
Breakthroughs in Ornamental Fish Breeding: In a major win for aquarium trade, ICAR-CIBA successfully bred two ornamental species: the Porcelain Crab and the Mangrove pipefish. Under the All-India Network Project on Ornamental Fish Breeding and Culture, the first batch of these hatchery-produced species was officially supplied to the world-renowned VGP Marine Kingdom public aquarium.
The event featured the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at commercializing technology and expanding infrastructure:
Disease Diagnostics: A licensing agreement was signed with M/s. D-Nome Pvt. Ltd. for the commercial production of the ‘CIBA EHP onsite detect’ kit. This innovative tool allows farmers to detect shrimp pathogens at the pond side in just 10-15 minutes, eliminating the need for expensive laboratory infrastructure.
Aquaparks and Hatcheries: Partnerships were formed with Uday Aqua Connects for an integrated seabass and seaweed Aquapark and with Aditya Aqua Agencies for new seabass and mudcrab hatcheries; both facilities will be executed in Andhra Pradesh,
Sustainability: CIBA is collaborating with a Chennai-based startup, Ignit Technical Solutions, to develop an automated fish waste processing machine. This technology will ensure the safe disposal of market waste while converting it into high-value products.
Commitment to Farmer Welfare and Sustainability: The visit concluded with the closing ceremony of the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ awareness program. Over the past month, this campaign has educated farmers on using specialized fertilizers like PlanktonPlus and HortiPlus to ensure sustainable agricultural development and increased crop productivity. Additionally, to support local aqua-farmers, a new FAQ booklet on Pearlspot seed production and farming was officially released.
