ICAR-CIFRI undertakes reservoir fisheries production enhancement programmes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2022: Under the Government of India's Scheduled Tribe Component, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) undertook reservoir fisheries production enhancement programme at three reservoirs (Mapithel in Kamjong district, Khoupum in Noney district and Khuga in Churachandpur district) of Manipur dominated and managed by the tribal community.

The programme was conducted in a participatory mode involving the Department of Fisheries, Government of Manipur and Co-operative society of the reservoirs, said a statement by ICAR-CIFRI.

The main objective of the programme was to improve the livelihood of the dam affected tribal community of the reservoirs through fisheries enhancement programme.

The programme is initiated through the demonstration of pen culture technology for in situ raising of fish seed to be stocked in reservoirs.

ICAR-CIFRI undertakes reservoir fisheries production enhancement programmes

Installation of pen culture technology will enhance an additional 200 tonnes of fish production from these reservoirs.

It is anticipated that the pen culture system of raising fingerlings would be a model with the participatory approach for inland fishers in amalgamation with economic enterprises such as NABARD and Banks and it will reduce the transportation mortality and non-availability of desired fingerlings, which is a major constraint to increase the reservoir fisheries production.

To conduct this programme, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore provided two CIFRI HDPE Pen, 2 tonnes of CIFRI CAGEGROW feed, 50,000 fish seed each to the selected society of these reservoirs.

The reservoir fisheries enhancement programme was inaugurated on September 2, 2022 at Khoupum Reservoir under the leadership of Dr B K Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI in the presence of Aguilung Gangmei, former Additional Director and District Fishery Officer, Tamenglong District; Loveson Golmei, Fishery Inspector, DFO Tamenglong.

Simultaneously, a mass awareness programme on reservoir fisheries management was also conducted with the participation of about 50 fishers of Khoupum valley.

In continuation of the flagship programme, Leishiyo Keishing, MLA of Phungyar AC initiated the pen culture in Mapithel reservoir, Kamjong District today in the presence of H Balkrishna Singh, Director, Department of Fisheries, Govt of Manipur; Y Nabachandra Singh, DFO Ukhrul and the village representatives and tribal fishers of Mapithel Reservoir.

On this occasion, a mass awareness programme was also conducted at Ramrei village to raise awareness about the reservoir fisheries management.

The programme was started with the stocking of fish seed (50,000) in the installed pens followed by the distribution of CIFRI CAGEGRROW Feed to the members the fisheries co-operative society.

Leishiyo Keishing appreciated the initiatives of ICAR-CIFRI towards the open water fisheries development and appealed to the fishers of the reservoir to be actively involved in the responsible fisheries management activities of the reservoir to contribute to the deficient fish production of the State.

He also appealed to the fishers to adapt the new technologies of fisheries to achieve sustainable fisheries.

H Balkrishna while addressing the gathering, appreciated the ICAR-CIFRI, explained various schemes and programmes related to the reservoir fisheries production enhancement.

He also explained responsible fisheries management and how fish production in Manipur can be boosted, urged the fishers to be self-aware and supportive to the activities of various Government departments.