Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Jul 26: The excessive rainfall and shortage of fish supply in Udupi district have adversely affected cage fish farming, causing a serious feed crisis for the fish reared in cages.

Several fishermen in Udupi and Kundapur taluks are engaged in cage fish farming. With deep-sea fishing halted due to the ongoing trawl ban and rough weather, these fishermen — many of whom pursue cage farming as a supplementary occupation — are struggling to procure enough fish feed.

Since May, the region has witnessed incessant rains, making it difficult for boats to venture into the sea, leading to a drastic drop in fish availability. As a result, fishermen are unable to feed the caged fish adequately.

Typically, cage-farmed fish are fed with locally available fish varieties such as boothai (sardines) and river fish. Fish waste is also commonly used as feed, which helps in the healthy growth of the fish.

In this region, especially in estuarine waters of Udupi and Kundapur, species like red snapper (kemberi) and sea bass are commonly farmed in cages. These saltwater fish do not consume commercial pelleted feed, making their maintenance costlier, say local fish farmers.

Since most cage farmers are also traditional fishermen, they rely on small fish caught from rivers and the sea to feed the caged fish. This usually reduces their expenses. However, during the monsoon and cyclonic conditions, when fishing trips are halted, the farmers are unable to obtain feed.

With trawling currently banned, larger boats remain docked. Although country boats are allowed, inclement weather has prevented them from venturing out, further worsening the situation.

Due to this feed shortage, farmers are now compelled to purchase and stock packet fish (preserved or frozen feed), which adds to their financial burden.

If the caged fish are not fed properly, their growth is stunted, resulting in losses. Generally, fish reach market size in one year after being stocked as juveniles. However, due to feed scarcity during the monsoon, this period extends to around 18 months, said a fish farmer from Byndoor.

In the estuarine regions, red snapper and sea bass juveniles are reared in cages by regularly feeding them. But when there is excessive rainfall and flood-like conditions in the estuaries, the force of water sometimes sweeps away the cages into the sea, resulting in major losses.

“Every year, some of our cages are washed away during heavy rains due to strong currents,” said the farmer, highlighting another challenge posed by extreme weather.