Breakthrough in mariculture: CMFRI develops hatchery technology for high-value marine fish picnic seabream

Achieving a breakthrough in diversification of the country’s mariculture activities, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) has developed hatchery technology for picnic seabream (Acanthopagrus berda), a commercially important marine food fish. Also known as black seabream and goldsilk seabream, the fish is known for its excellent meat quality and high economic value. It has high demand in domestic market with a price of around Rs. 450 to 500 per kg. Locally called as karutha yeri, the fish is an excellent species for mariculture owing to its faster growth rate, strong resistance to diseases and ability to cope up with wide variations in environmental parameters such as salinity and temperature