Under the World Bank funded National Agricultural Innovation project (NAIP) A value chain on oceanic tuna fisheries in Lakshadweep sea, a formulated feed for farmed Seabass prepared from non-consumable parts of Yellowfin tuna was released by Dr. J. P. Mittal, National Coordinator, NAIP and handed over to Sri. Abraham Tharakan, Chairman, Amalgam Seafoods Pvt Ltd., and former President of Seafood Export Association of India in the presence of Dr. G. Syda Rao, Director, CMFRI, Cochin during the launching of two new NAIP projects at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Cochin on 27 March 2009.
The Cadalmin brand Silofeed prepared from processed wastes of tuna using fermentation technique was jointly developed by Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin and CMFRI and feed trials were conducted for Seabass at Regional Centre of CMFRI, Mandapam Camp.
Feeding trials indicated good water stability, acceptability and feed conversion ratio. The feed cost is estimated to be Rs. 25/- per Kg. Further trials with other cultivable food fishes such as Cobia and Grouper and marine ornamental fishes are in progress.