Environment management and probiotics in mariculture

Marine cage aquaculture industry is gaining greater demand worldwide, due to its contribution as an alternate livelihood and also because of its protein and export value, for coastal communities. Mariculture is expanding significantly all over the world and is contributing 25.5 % to the global aquaculture production in the last two decades (FAO 2017). In India, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute made significant contribution in standardization of breeding and cage culture technologies of marine finfishes viz., Cobia, Rachycentron canadum, Pompano, Tachinotus blochii, Grouper, Epinephleus coioides, Indian Pompano, Trachinotus mookalee, rabbit fish, Siganus vermiculatus, seabreams, Acanthopagrus berda, Sparidentex jamalensis and achieved a successful production of these species in different maritime states of India. High density intensive culture of fish in indoor tanks, with a controlled system will be highly beneficial compared to the traditional method of growing fish in open marine waters (cages/ raceways/ pens etc.), where control of environmental conditions is not possible. In order to sustain the growth and production of marine finfishes in India as well as in global level, it always suggestible to maintain a health protocol of fish and environment in any kind of culture systems. Hence, there is a need to understand the fish and environmental health status and their management for sustainable cage culture production