Cage aquaculture of Indian pompano for livelihood diversification of artisanal fishers: Insights from Andhra Pradesh, India

Artisanal fishers fishing in nearshore coastal waters off Visakhapatnam using motorisedcrafts and in estuaries of Krishna using non-motorised crafts were selected for the study.Their annual net operating income varied between US$ 469.63 (₹39,040) and US$ 2698.42(₹2,24,320), respectively. Inspired by the potential of cage farming from the frontlinedemonstrations in marine and estuarine waters and after acquiring appropriate skills,15 individuals from the Traditional Fishermen’s Co-operative Society, Visakhapatnamand 76 individuals from Yanadri Girijana Matsya Sakhara Sangam, Krishna embarked oncage aquaculture of Indian pompano in 15 and 70 cages, respectively. Marine cages werecircular (6 m diameter) and estuarine cages were square (5 m X 5 m), and were stockedwith hatchery-produced Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) fingerlings of 22.6 gweight @ 2500 and 1500 numbers respectively, and were fed with floating pellets at 8-3% ofbiomass. Average body weight, survival and biomass production from marine and estuarinecages after eight months of culture were 843 and 666 g, 96.28 and 91.47% and 2029.0 and913.85 kg respectively. Deducting all capital and operational expenses, annual net operatingincome per unit ranged from US$ 1247.44 (₹1,03,700) to US$ 2632.02 (₹2,18,800); whichrepresented a substantial increase from that of capture fishery. Cluster-cage farming, asadopted, did not adversely impact the water and sediment quality. The current researchoffers novel insights into the bio-growth and economic factors pertinent to commercial cagefarming of Indian pompano. Cage farming in marine and estuarine conditions holds a greatpromise as an alternative source of livelihood for artisanal fishers, thereby bolstering theireconomic sustainability.