The Hindu, July 10, 2014
The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has expressed
strong reservations about a proposal mooted by the Fisheries Department
to promote cage culture of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT)
in waterbodies in the State.
At a meeting held here
last week, experts from the KSBB, the Kerala University of Fisheries and
Ocean Studies, and the College of Fisheries, Panangad, voiced their
concern about the impact of the alien species on native biodiversity. A
genetically improved strain of the Nile Tilapia, GIFT is preferred by
aquaculture farmers in many countries because of its quick growth and
adaptability to various environmental conditions.
S.
Ajayan, Joint Director of Fisheries, said the proposal was to promote
cage culture of GIFT in reservoirs, check-dams, rivers and lakes. It
involved selective breeding of Nile Tilapia, followed by exposure to
methyl testosterone, an artificial male hormone, to produce male fry
through sex reversal. Typically, the male fish grew much larger and
faster than females. Mr. Ajayan said a trial project done by Matsyafed
in Kottayam had proved to be a success.
KSBB chairman
Oommen V. Oommen said the board was opposed to cage culture of GIFT in
connected waterbodies because of the inherent risks. Experts fear that
the accidental release of stocks could result in hybridisation with
existing species and competitive exclusion of native fishes from their
habitat.
The KSBB has insisted on regulated
aquaculture in isolated cement tanks. It has proposed an expert
committee to monitor the project and assess its impact. K.P. Laladhas,
Member Secretary, KSBB, said the mass production and culture of the
endemic pearl spot (Karimeen) would be more desirable.
“In
the absence of a proper assessment of the invasive potential of Nile
Tilapia, the proposal is fraught with risks,” said K.G. Padmakumar,
former Associate Director of Research, Kerala Agricultural University.
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