Livestock

Cochin International Airport launched sustainable aquaculture

Cochin International Airport launched sustainable aquaculture at its water bodies
Image - pixabay

Cochin International Airport launched sustainable aquaculture at its water bodies.

Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL). has put aquaculture practices into the water bodies at its Golf Club. CIAL chose fish farming as part of its plan to diversify its business.

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture have teamed up with CIAL to do cage farming in the airport’s Golf club water bodies in a way that is good for the environment.

‘Compared to other types of livestock farming, aquaculture is better for the environment in many ways,’ said S Suhas, the managing director of CIAL. In the last five years, the aquaculture industry has reduced its carbon footprint by slowly adopting new production methods.

These methods include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting the amount of fresh water used per unit produced, improving feed management practices, and using new farming methods. Suhas said that as Sustainability Champions, CIAL works toward climate-friendly practices that lead to long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Also Read | Virus disease in cage fish farming near Kundapur in Udupi Re-reported.

7 water bodies over 16 acres of land

There are seven different-sized bodies of water at the CIAL Golf Club. Together, they cover 16 acres. The ponds are deep and big in size. Normal or typical ways of taking care of ponds won’t work here. In cage fish farming, the water bodies don’t have to be drained, and the way they are run is flexible because there are many production units. The harvesting is also easy and doesn’t cost much.

From their hatchery in Valarpadam, the MPEDA and RGCA will offer free disease testing, water quality testing, and seeds at a discounted price. MPEDA-RGCA thinks that GIFT Tilapia, Seabass, and Pearl spot are the best fish for the pilot project.

With the help of cage fish farming, the Golf club can turn unused bodies of water into productive uses that will bring in more money. The CIAL has successfully used the idea of Total Sustainability Management (TSM) on its golf course, where treated water from its sewage treatment plant is used for water harvesting with the help of 12 artificial lakes.

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