Himachal seeks technology to rear snow trout

New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri on Thursday stressed upon developing breeding technology of the exotic snow trout so that its production could be increased by stocking its seed in state rivers.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) here, he requested the ICAR to provide assistance for introducing new species of cold water fishes, best suited to high-altitude lakes and streams of the state.

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh presided over the meeting.

Bharmouri also sought assistance for conducting survey through national institutes for the identification of number of ornamental fish species available in the state rivers.

This will help in raising economic standard of rural youth, he said.

Bharmouri said intervention of research and development institutions was required to evolve formulation of cheap pelletised feed with locally available ingredients without compromising the quality.

The minister said the technology of captive breeding for mahseer needs to be strengthened by habitat restoration for the protection of brooders and promotion of natural breeding.

According to him, over 11,844 fishermen families are engaged in fishing operations and earning their livelihood from the state waters.

The state has the distinction of producing highest per hectare fish (149.2 kg per hectare per annum in Gobind Sagar) as well as giving highest per kilogram price for the fishermen of their fish (Rs 212 per kg in the Pong reservoir) compared to other large reservoirs of the country.

The state is producing over 417.23 tonnes of trout fish annually and total fish production of the state attained the level of 11736 tonne in 2015-16.

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