Modha farmed in sea cages off Trinco
TRINCOMALEE – A US$4 million aquaculture venture commenced by Oceanpick last week, releasing its first batch of “modha” into sea cages on the Indian ocean off Trincomalee.
The project looks at rearing the Barramundi juveniles or Asian Sea Bass fish also known as “modha” fish locally at the company’s onshore nursery in Trincomalee to produce premium quality, responsibly farmed marine fish from the country’s first sea cages.Oceanpick is one among a handful of companies that farm Barramundi in open seas.
Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Oceanpick Founder Irfaan Thassim and others at the site.
The first batch of fish was released last Saturday by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, thereby using the vast ocean resources for breeding.
This first batch of fish brought into its nursery had spent several weeks there in preparation for its transfer to sea cages.
It was pointed out that this would ensure that while the vast sea would be put to gainful use, the wild fish would not be pressured into extinction either.
At Oceanpick, the company was following Scottish standards adhered to by its joint venture partner Kames Fish Farming. The entire cage structure was shipped from the UK ensuring no compromises were made.
Oceanpick Founder Irfaan Thassim began work from Hambantota having realised that there was an abundant pool of workers that could be put to good use.
In this respect, he commenced this project with a view to increasing the production in the fishing industry and said “our goal is to create a benchmark for a sustainable industry.”
Mr. Thassim said as stakeholders they needed to ensure the industry “survives and improves.” A project that kicked off in 2011, the farming of the modha fish was looked at with much interest for which extensive research was carried out and modelling carried out to ascertain the impact on the environment, he explained.
Minister Senaratne referred to this project as a world class farming operation that would take a lead role in a bid to ensure there was a more sustainable equilibrium between the wild capture and farmed output.
The company would look at expanding into other species as well in the near future and by farming them in sea cages the company observed it would provide for a superior quality of fish.
The company would yield its first harvest at the end of the year and would be carried out when ready for consumption and peak freshness maintained until it reaches the consumer.