Introduction : 

Aquaculture contributes almost 50% of the world’s food fish. Indian seafood export cross US$ 7 billion during 2017-18, which include frozen shrimp and fish with 11,34,948 MT and 5.77 billion dollar. The vannamei shrimp exported during 2017-18 was around 4,02,374 MT along with a farm-gate value of over US$ 4,848.19 million. Considering the projected population growth over the next two decades, at least an additional 43 million tonnes of aquatic food will be required by 2030 to maintain the current per capita consumption. Asia produces over 90% of the total aquaculture production of the world and it is projected that most of the aquaculture growth will be in developing countries. India is amongst the top three producers of rice, wheat, liquid milk, poultry products, fruits, vegetables, coconut, tea, spices, marine and fresh water products including fish and shrimp. Gujarat is in thefore front of marine fish production in the country.

Gujarat is endowed with a splendid array of marine and inland aquatic resources. The state has a long coastline extending to 1600 km, a continental shelf are of 0.16x106 km², Exclusive Economic zone of 0.12x106 km², rivers and tributaries extending to 3865 km, reservoirs with 0.28x10⁶ ha., ponds and tanks of 0.07x10⁶ ha and brackishwater area of 0.37x10⁶ ha. Gujarat occupies 32% of the continental shelf area and 10% of the total EEZ of India. Fishing industry which has grown substantially in the last four decades with the continuous intensification of a fishing effort, contributes significantly to, economic, social and nutritional wellbeing of the people of Gujarat.

The marine fish production in Gujarat is more than 7 lakhs M. tones, but fresh water fish production is very low & it remained between 9-11 % of total fish production of the state. Its poor growth is mainly due to the fact that most of the existing natural water resources are not utilized properly for fish cultivation. Pond based freshwater aquaculture technology has been perfected in the country, but it has not been reached to the grass root level due to poor extension system.

The new era of shrimp farming begin in 2010 with introduction of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, the SPF and High health status was the lead attraction with high production capacity. Shrimp farming industry hugely benefited after the introduction of vannamei species and within few years the national production went up manifold increase, from 80000ton to 380000ton in 2016. Presently Gujarat is producing 45000tons of high quality shrimp from 6500hectare @ 7000kg/hectare.

Transfer of technology to the level of farmer is greatly felt in Gujarat. Salinity ingress in coastal fellow land is increasing at alarming rates in the country especially in semi-arid and arid climates of the northern and western states including Gujarat. Due to this agricultural production in salt affected soils is drastically reduced. In India research on aquaculture aspects in Inland Saline water regions was started with a survey of saline water resources by the Central Institute of Capture Fisheries Research Institute of ICAR. As a result it could be possible to successfully culture several brackish water fish species in Inland saline water. However much more efforts are needed to have its contribution in the socio-economic development of affected regions. In Gujarat majority of people are not aware of fish farming and its prospects, hence it is necessary to create awareness among the people of Gujarat to adopt fish farming as a profession. In order to address the issue of utilization of saline ground water in salt affected soil by aqua-based production system modules in coastal area of Saurashtra for development of suitable technology and to transfer the technologies by imparting training to the end users, this project is envisaged.   In order to impart training to the farmers for adopting fish farming and to utilize available resources in a scientific manner and for generating employment opportunities in rural youths of coastal districts, a systematic full-fledged advanced training centre can play a vital role in enhancement of inland fish production.

Sea Water parameter at Mahuva:

 Monthly Average Weather data for the Year-2015:

This farm was started in 1852 by His Highness Late Shree Bhavsinhiji of Bhavnagar State having area of 1529 acre. Thus, this farm may be one of the biggest and the oldest farm of our state. In 1947 this farm was handed over to Agriculture Department, Government of Gujarat for extension and nursery activities to bring more and more coastal area under coconut plantation through supplying the best selected coconut seedlings to the growers. In 1972, this farm was transferred to Gujarat Agricultural University to conduct the research activities on coconut and other fruit crop. From 2004 and onwards, this farm belongs to Junagadh Agricultural University.

Under Agricultural Research Station (Fruit crop) at Mahuva for the betterment and up gradation of local fishermen livelihood, a new scheme “Fisheries Research and Training centre” approved by Govt. of Gujarat vide Govt GR No. GKV-122010-3843-K.2 dated 25-08-2011 came into existence.

Mandate:

1. To standardized the stocking density of Littopenaeus vannamei shrimp per meter² area.

2. To find out the suitable culturing fish species at hyper saline water.

3. Developed waste land into aquaculture potential zones.

4. To determine most suitable and effective, eco-friendly and low cost aquaculture practices for the production of shellfish and finfishes.

5. To conduct, seminars, trainings and awareness programs for the local fishermen community.

Objectives:

1. To  develop farming facilities for   freshwater and brackish water finfish and shell fish cultivation in saline ground water

2. To develop suitable technology for enhancement of fish and shell fish production in salt affected soil.

3. To conduct short term training -cum Demonstration on fresh and brackish water Fish / Prawn / shrimp cultivation techniques for fish farmers.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

Area under Fisheries Research & Training Centre : 75 ha

Future Thrust