PANAJI
In the past couple of years, the State may have witnessed a drastic decline in the production of green mussels or xinanneo, but with a little help from scientists at ICAR Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa as well officials from the State fisheries department there is all hope to revive the down fall.
According to Sreekanth G B scientist, the fisheries department reported a drastic decline in mussels from 113 tonnes in 2008 to just 24 tonnes in 2014. While the demand and potential for the industry exists in the State, the problem lies in the availability of seeds for production.
Speaking to The Goan, fellow scientist Manju Lekshmi N said the solution is available but will take a few years for its introduction. “The only constraint for this technology is the availability of seeds. ICAR-CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute) has already reported the technology for hatchery seed production but it will take some time for its commercial use. Once the seed production technology is commercialised, it will prove to be a boost to coastal aquaculture especially mussel culture in Konkan coast,” she said.
Mussel farming is a profitable venture and the interest in adopting of the technology is very much existent, especially along the coastal belt. “Goa is probably the only state in the entire country where farmers can fetch a very high price in retail markets (Rs 10-12 per piece),” said Lekshmi.
In the past, mussel farming was promoted using seed from the wild and then cultured in farms, but with the depleting numbers, a hatchery-based seed production will help standardize and commercialise its production.
If introduced, Goa will be the second state in the country to have a hatchery seed production based system. The ICAR-CMFRI standardized process is currently being implemented at its Vizhijam Centre in Kerala.
Further research is underway into integrating shell fish and fin fish production in a cage culture environment.
The department on its part too is putting in efforts to promote the industry. Department of Fisheries Director Sharmila Monteiro in keeping with the budget 2016 promise has said a new scheme will be launched for crab, mussel and oyster farming with a provision of Rs 15 lakh for the financial year 2016-17.
Green mussels usually grow to the size of between 40 and 60 mm with an average weight of 30 to 33 grams and grow well in brackish waters with a salinity ranging from 25 to 32 parts per thousand (ppt). Farmers usually don’t have to use any extraneous inputs like feed, fertilizer and other materials, making maintenance of the culture system comparatively easier than fish farming.
Culture periods usually begin from November or December and extend up to May with harvest being done before the onset of the monsoons in June to prevent the salinity thus affecting the mussels.
