Aquaculture in Kerala
Kerala is blessed with fresh water resources,backwaters,brackish water and long stretches of Arabian coast . Fresh water resource includes rivers,lakes,streams,reservoires and ponds . Brackish water resources include brackish water areas,prawn filtration fields and estuaries .
All these water resources of Kerala are rich in diverse fish species . This makes Kerala best suited for Aquaculture.Kerala with its highly conducive climatic conditions provide scope for the development of ornamental fisheries . There is growing demand for ornamental fishes both in domestic and international markets . Inorder to make ornamental fisheries an export industry ,Kerala government agencies like Matsyafed,FIRMS and MPEDA are providing assistance in this direction . Ornamental fish species like gold,koi carps,guppy,molly,platy and live bears are common and easy to breed and can grow in shallow ponds .
Value added products from fish like pickles,fish balls,fish wafer,papad,fish minced meat ,ready to cook fish curry etc can help fish farmers to earn more .
Kerala government has launched matsyakeralam scheme with the objective of increase in export of fish and fish products,to create new employment opportunities in rural areas through the development of inland and brackish water aquaculture.
Pamaeid,shrimps,giant prawn,mud crabs amd clams are the major fish resources of estuaries and back waters of Kerala. The brackish water shrimp culture is practised in Pokkali fields of Kerala.Integration of rice-fish farming gives high return to the farmers.It also helps to improve rice yield due to organic fertilisation through fish excreta and also control of un wanted algae.
Important fresh water species of Kerala include Pearl spot,Varal(banded ansake head),Tilapia,Climbing perch (Chempally), Kaari, Muzhi(Walking catfish),Manjakkori(Yellow catfish),Vellakkoori,Paral(Giant danio) , Boal(Vala), Kanambu(Stripped mullet).
Kerala's highland areas are rich in cold water fish species like commercially important Salmo sp, Tor sp.