Establishment of Indian Pompano Hatchery Unit in Andhra Pradesh under the technical guidance of ICAR-CMFRI

Director ICAR-CMFRI signed an MoU on 27^th January 2025 with Messrs Vybhav Hatcheries, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh to provide technical services for seed production of Indian Pompano, Trachinotus mookalee. The eggs supplied from the RC of ICAR CMFRI Visakhapatnam was raised to fingerlings at the hatchery subsequently and graded and readied for supply for farmers under the expert guidance of the scientific team from the RC. An inauguration programme of the fish seed release was officially launched at Sri. Vybhav Hatcheries, Danavaipeta, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh on 2^nd April 2025 with an aim at enhancing the commercialization of this species within the aquaculture sector. This is the first private Indian pompano finfish hatchery in India which can produce a minimum of one lakh fish seed per cycle under the technical guidance of VRC, ICAR-CMFRI and can make a significant contribution for scaling up of marine finfish production (Indian Pompano) in India. Dr. Joe K. Kizhakudan, Head of Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI, along with other mariculture experts Dr. Ritesh Ranjan, Dr. Sekar Megarajan, Dr. Jayasree Loka and Dr. Biji Xavier participated the inauguration of a seed production unit for Indian Pompano at Sri Vaibhav Hatcheries in Danavayapeta, Thondangi, Kakinada District, Andhra Pradesh, on April 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Dr. Joe K Kizhakudan officially launched the program by release and distribution of fish seeds.  Shri Kapil, the Director of Sri Vaibhav Hatchery, provided an overview of the hatchery unit and highlighted the successes achieved in the seed production of Indian Pompano. Both Dr. Kizhakudan and Shri Kapil distributed fish seeds to local farmers. During the event, farmers and hatchery management had an interaction with the mariculture scientists from VRC-CMFRI regarding the marketing and local demand for the fish. The farmers and hatchery management appreciated CMFRI team for their efforts and technical guidance to bring out a marine fish to a commercial level and aspired Indian Pompano is poised to become a successful species in Andhra Pradesh and India. The event was attended by several farmers from various coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, the President of the Fisheries Society of Thondangi, and representatives from multiple organizations, as well as members of the press and media.