Trout swims to success in warm water in lower Himachal

Department of Fisheries  in Himachal Pradesh  for the first time  has   successfully reared high-value fish variety” Trout fish ” in a warm water body at Gobind Sagar  reservoir   and this success was replicated again at   Kol dam reservoir at Kasol Distt. Bilaspur said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal husbandry and fisheries here today
Presently Trout Fishery in Himachal Pradesh has been introduced in 600 kms riverine length at higher altitude of cold water streams in snow fed rivers of   Beas, Sutlej and Ravi  and this is for the first time that trout fish has been successfully reared  in lower areas of Himachal Pradesh.

 Around  500 fingerlings of Rainbow Trout, a coldwater fish from Trout farm Dhamwari Distt Shimla were stocked in  cages  made of HDPE floats and nets for culturing the fishes  at  Gobind Sagar   reservoir at Proian, Bhakra Distt. Bilaspur   in the year 2019 on experimental basis for diversification of trout culture in warm waters of the state.
 The results were highly encouraging and worth emulation in other parts of the state. This innovation paved a way for culturing the Trout fish in warm districts also during a span of 5-9 months when the water temperature is congenial for its culture.

So, after appropriate R&D, the experts from Fisheries department Himachal Pradesh installed 24 fish cages in Kol dam reservoir at Kasol Distt. Bilaspur for the culture of Rainbow Trout on pilot basis under CSS-Blue Revolution in the successive year 2020. 
Around 30,000 fingerlings of the average weight of 10-12 grams  of Rainbow Trout, a cold water fish were stocked in these cages in September& October  2020 from Trout Farm Hamni Distt. Kullu. The results were encouraging as the fish gained a body weight of almost 1 kg in just 8 months  which usually takes 2-2.5 years in cold water regions, thus showing accelerated growth said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal husbandry and fisheries here today.
The department produced round Eight Metric Tones Trout Fish from Kol dam reservoir at Kasol Distt. Bilaspur with average weight of 300 grams  while maximum weight of One Kilo Gram was recorded at the reservoir .Out of total fish produced around  490 fish weighing around    224 kg  has been sold in  the market so far .
The department has total stock of around 26794 fishes weighing around 8000 kg at its kol dam reservoir ready for sale in the market . The department has offered one time relaxation for sale of trout fish at discounted price of around Rs 350 / – per kg  instead of market price of around Rs 550/ – per KG to boost the trout fish sale in  the state and metropolitan cities  said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal husbandry and fisheries here today
Approximately 850 Metric Tones trout fish will be harvested in the state both in Private and Government Sector  out of which 100 Metric Tones will be harvested in newly created race ways in coming years .

Of the total households in the state , there are around 12347  registered fishermen operating with 3000 fishing boats where as 5574  household are directly dependent on fisheries occupation as main source of income  in the state .

One ice plant and three landing centres have been constructed under blue revolution in the state for fish growers and more post harvest facilities will be developed under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampda Yojna in the state in coming years .

The state has recorded 688.05 Metric Tonnes  trout fish production valuing Rs 3096.22 lakhs during the year 2020-2021 while a target has been set to harvest 849.70 Metric Tonnes trout fish production valuing 4673.35 lakhs rupees in the state during the year 2021-22 said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal husbandry and fisheries here today

In order to develop basic  infrastructure for fish cultiavation ,29 hatcheries ,13 feed mills , 3 retail outlets , smoked trout canning unitstrout cage culture are being developed in the reservoirs under centrally sponsored scheme Blue Revolution while construction of trout units , feed mills , hatcheries , ice plants , RAS insulated / Refrigerated Vehicles , Kiosk etc will be set up under PMMSY Scheme to boost fish cultivation in the state .

There is total 3000 km riverine length in the state out of which 600 km riverine length is utilized for trout fish production .

There are 8 departmental trout farms where quality seed is being produced and supplied at subsidized rates to trout growers.Trout feed is also provided from departmental farm Patlikuhal district kullu .

At present 606 number of families are associated with trout fish farming and  trout fish production is being done in  total 1198 raceways in the state said Virender Kanwar Minister for Animal husbandry and fisheries here today.