The Hindu : Breakthrough in captive breeding of sand lobster

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 01, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Breakthrough in captive breeding of sand lobster

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MARCH 31. The scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in the captive breeding of the sand lobster, Thenus orientalis, at its Chennai Research Centre.

It was the team of scientists led by Joe K. Kizhakudan at the Kovalam field laboratory that achieved the captive breeding of the one of the most sought after lobster variety in the domestic as well as international market.

The annual export of this lobster variety during the recent years was to the tune of 130 tonnes, valued at Rs 4.51 crores.

According to the CMFRI Director, Mohan Joseph Modayil, this is for the first time that captive breeding of the species was successfully done in India. Earlier, there were reports that Australia had successfully bred the species.

The present success opens up a new area for commercial farming of sand lobsters for the export market. However, it will take a few more years to develop the entire package of technology, including hatchery development of brood stock, breeding, larval rearing, settlement, nursery protocols, grow out, feeding and formulated feed development.

The scientists also need to work on the husbandry and farm management, disease prevention, harvest, and transportation of live lobsters to fish markets.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala