A new Indian hatchery, Canares Aquaculture, was set up by three fisheries graduates from Mangalore Fisheries College to produce seabass seeds. The hatchery will be the first private company in the countryto produce seabass (Lates calcarifer) and is supported by the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) that will transfer the technology.

KK Vijayan, CIBA director, said to local news that “it is a path-breaking development in the country’s aquaculture sector with youngsters coming with startup ventures which will pave way for a resurgence and growth in the brackishwater aquaculture, especially Asian seabass farming in the country.” According to Vijayan, the private sector is reluctant to enter the marine fish seed production due to the relatively long production cycle and the need for unique skills required for rearing marine fish larvae.