Cage Aquaculture

👉Cage aquaculture involves the growing of fishes in existing water resources while being enclosed in a net cage which allows free flow of water.

👉 It is an aquaculture production system made of a floating frame, net materials and mooring system (with rope, buoy, anchor etc.)

👉with a round or square shaped floating net to hold and culture a large number of fishes and can be installed in reservoirs, river, lake or sea.

👉A catwalk and handrail is built around a battery of floating cages.

❇️There are 4 types of fish-rearing cages namely:

i) Fixed cages
ii) Floating cages
iii) Submerged cages
iv) Submersible cages.

👉Economically speaking, cage culture is a low impact farming practice with high returns and least carbon emission activity.

👉Farming of fish in an existing water body removes one of the biggest constraints of fish farming on land, ie., the need for a constant flow of clean, oxygenated water.

👉Cage farms are positioned in such a way to utilize natural currents, which provide the fish with oxygen and other appropriate natural conditions.

👉In view of the high production attainable in the cage culture system, it can play a significant role in increasing the overall fish production in India.

👉 Suitable locations in India's long coastline, vast brackish water areas available in coastal states and other underutilized water bodies can be better utilized by adopting cage culture.

👉Since the investment is low and requires very little / no land area, this farming method is ideal for small-scale fisherfolks as an alternative income source.

👉This can be taken up as a household / women activity since labour involved is minimal and can be managed by a small family.

👉The design of the cage and its accessories can be tailor-made in accordance to the individual farmer’s requirements.

🟠Advantages

👉Many types of water resources can be used, including lakes, reservoirs, ponds, strip pits, streams and rivers which could otherwise not be harvested.

👉A relatively low initial investment is required in an existing body of water.

👉Harvesting is simplified.

👉Observation and sampling of fish is simplified.

👉Allows the use of the pond for sport fishing or the culture of other species.

👉Less manpower requirement.

👉Generation of job opportunities for unemployed youth and women.

👉Additional income to fishers during closed seasons.

🛑Disadvantages

❇️Cage culture also has some distinct disadvantages. These include:

👉Feed must be nutritionally complete and kept fresh.
Low Dissolved Oxygen Syndrome (LODOS) is an ever present problem and may require mechanical aeration.

👉Fouling of the net cage.

👉The incidence of disease can be high and diseases may spread rapidly.

👉Vandalism or poaching is a potential problem.
Navigation issues.

👉Accumulation of unused feed and excreta will lead to water pollution as well as eutrophication.

👉Change in water quality parameters.

👉Conflicts within the local community.

👉Predation by aquatic mammals and birds.
Escapement.

👉Overcrowding of aquatic organisms in cages


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