An innovative research project has been carried out by a team of scientists under the guidance of Dr SK Ambast, Director, Indian Institute of Water Management, ICAR Bhubaneswar.
The aim of the project was to quantify density-dependent water use in carp poly culture and shrimp monoculture.
According to Project leader Dr Rajeeb Mohanty, Principal Scientist, water budgeting and density-dependent water use are the two major requirements in improving aquaculture performance.
Keeping in view the trivial impact of excess water exchange, adoption of regulated, demand-driven water exchange protocol is perceived as a way to increase aquaculture water productivity, water use efficiency and profits in aquaculture operations.
Further, farming systems with low water exchange serves to keep the water quality suitable for growth, improves water use efficiency and helps minimise the quantity of pollutant outputs.
Their research result shows that without hampering the growth, survival and yield performance, 5.61 -5.89 cubic metre water is required to produce 1 kg fish in carp polyculture at stocking density of 8,000-10,000 fingerlings per hectare. Similarly, 4.72 - 4.96 cubic metre water is required to produce 1 kg black tiger shrimp at stocking density of 2,00,000-2,50,000 seeds per hectare.
“The aquaculture industry is under a growing pressure to make production more resource-efficient. The ‘Blue Revolution’ referring to the rapid growth of aquaculture must go ‘green’ with ‘ecological aquaculture’ integrating aquaculture water management principle. The future development of carp culture and shrimp farming requires responsible practices to improve operational efficiency and help prevent wasteful use of water and environmental degradation through water cutback approach,” said Dr Rajeeb Mohanty.
“The knowledge derived from this study may be a basis to optimise pond rearing efforts in carp and shrimp culture, and the water management strategies can be tailored to minimise wastage of water, environmental impact and production costs,” he said.