SCSP Success Story: Demonstration of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) Farming in Coastal Cages for Sustainable Livelihoods in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka

Four Scheduled Caste beneficiaries of the Shri Naga Choudeshwari Group from Haldipura village, Kumta, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, were selected under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) Programme (2024–2025) for the demonstration of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) farming in coastal cages.

The Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI provided two cage units (6 × 3 × 3 m each), 2,000 Asian seabass juveniles (average size: 12.0 ± 0.89 cm and 18 ± 2.15 g), along with fish feed, a deep freezer, a dinghy, and all other essential inputs required for the successful demonstration of Asian seabass cage culture.

After a 12 month culture period, the fish attained an average body weight of 1.35 kg. A total of 520 kg of Asian seabass was harvested based on market demand and sold at ?580 per kg, generating a gross revenue of ?3,00,000 for the beneficiary group.

The successful demonstration highlights the potential of coastal cage farming of Asian seabass as a profitable and sustainable livelihood option for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Kalidas C, Scientist in-charge,  Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Dr. Mahesh V, and Dr. Raghu Ramudu K , Scientists of Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI.