The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Fishing cage faces rough weather

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Saturday, Nov 03, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Fishing cage faces rough weather

Manisha Garg

Shifted for the second time in a month

VISAKHAPATNAM: The floating farm (cage) for culturing the marine fish that was launched amidst high hopes recently, had to be taken to safer place twice within a month of its commencement, as the cage mooring was insufficient.

Set up by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in the shallow waters near R.K. Beach on September 29, the cage was taken to a safer place within 10 days of its installation and re-anchored after some improvisations.

However, it was taken away from the sea waters to a safer place again, as the anchoring was not good enough even this time.

When asked about this, in-charge Scientist of CMFRI G. Syda Rao told The Hindu, “The cage was put on an experimental basis and we have to keep doing the required changes to meet the variations in weather and sea conditions. Right now the cage has been taken to a safe place where it can be made suitable for altering local conditions. The experiment requires constant monitoring, supervision and improvisations.”

With the encouraging growth in fish from average 50 to 300-450 gram within a short span, the CMFRI has put it up again expecting better results.

Approximately 12,000 to 15,000 fish lings were released in the sea cage this September.

Though an improved and stronger structure made of high-density polypropylene material with double anchoring - each anchor weighing 600 kg _ was set up around 250-300 m away from the seashore and joints were almost fused, the results have been far from encouraging due to recurring problem of insufficient mooring.

The changes in the direction of water current are cited among several other factors responsible for the project’s debacle.

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