Annual stocking of fish seed into Ranjit Sagar Dam Reservoir begins

The annual stocking of fish seeds of different varieties into Ranjit Sagar Dam Reservoir at the Reservoir Fisheries Development Project (RFDP), Satwain, was kicked off on Saturday by Joint Director, Fisheries, Manjoor Ahmed.

Fish seeds of different varieties of Indian major carp and exotic carp like Rohu, Mrigal, Catla, Common Carp, and Silver Carp have been stocked.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed said with the handholding efforts of the Department of Fisheries, the total fish production of UT has reached 26,900 tonnes, which includes 1,990 tonnes of trout. He informed that about 150 lakh trout seed and 630 lakh carp fish seed have been produced. Out of the total seed produced, about 8.40 lakh of trout and 51.30 lakh of carp seed have been stocked in various water bodies of UT as a part of fish conservation measures.

The joint director said the national-level fish seed farm established by the Department for Carp Seed Production at the National Fish Seed Farm, Kathua, is catering to the local fish seed demands besides playing a significant role in enhancing fish production in the region.

“The Ranjit Sagar reservoir is being auctioned for its fishing rights, and the highest revenue has been generated. The development of reservoir fisheries in Ranjit Sagar reservoir besides augmenting the fish production in the UT has also played an important role in upliftment of the socio economic condition of the locals. To further exploit the Ranjit Sagar reservoir on sustainable basis, the department has requested ICAR-CIFRI for taking up the scientific study of the reservoir for assessment of its yield and potential,” he added.