One-Day Institutional Training Program at Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) – Muttukkadu Experimental Station
Organized by Research and Education for Environmental Foundation (REEF)
February 13, 2025
Participants: 60 students from the Department of Zoology, Rajeshwari Vedachalam Government Arts College, Chengalpet
1. Introduction
The Research and Education for Environmental Foundation (REEF) organized a one-day institutional training program at the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) – Muttukkadu Experimental Station on February 13, 2025. This specialized training aimed to provide students with hands-on exposure to brackishwater aquaculture techniques, focusing on sustainable practices in shrimp, crab, and fish culture. The training sessions emphasized critical aspects of hatchery operations, broodstock maintenance, larval rearing, live feed culture, and formulated feed production.
The training program was designed to achieve the following objectives:
✅ Understanding the research advancements at CIBA in brackishwater aquaculture
✅ Gaining practical exposure to aquaculture hatchery management and culture systems
✅ Learning about Artemia culture, broodstock conditioning, and larval rearing techniques
✅ Exploring advanced feed formulation strategies for sustainable aquaculture production
✅ Enhancing student engagement in marine and estuarine aquaculture research
2. Participants and Organizing Team
A total of 63 undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Department of Zoology, Rajeshwari Vedachalam Government Arts College, Chengalpet, actively participated in the training program.
Organizing Team
• Founder, REEF: Mr. M. Sivanesan
• Program Director, REEF: Mr. Vinoth A.
• Advisory Board Member for Research and Education, REEF: Dr. S. Ramachandraprabhu
Resource Persons
• Mr. Rajamanickam, Chief Technical Officer, CIBA
• Mr. Thyagarajan, Technical Officer, CIBA
• Project Assistant & Research Associate, CIBA
3. Training Schedule & Scientific Sessions
Session 1: Inauguration & Introduction to CIBA (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
Mr. Rajamanickam, Chief Technical Officer, delivered a comprehensive overview of CIBA’s role in advancing brackishwater aquaculture research. Topics discussed included:
• Genetic improvement programs for Penaeid shrimp species
• Role of selective breeding in disease-resistant aquaculture
• Environmental impact assessment of aquaculture operations
• Application of biotechnology in sustainable aquaculture
• Policy frameworks governing aquaculture production in India
Session 2: Crab Hatchery & Broodstock Management (11:30 AM – 12:15 PM)
Students visited the crab division, where experts demonstrated key aspects of Scylla serrata (mud crab) culture:
• Artemia culture for larval nutrition
• Induced maturation techniques in broodstock maintenance
• Water quality optimization for larval rearing
• Ontogenetic changes in larval development
• Live algae culture and its role in larval nutrition
Session 3: Advanced Feed Formulation & Feed Mill Operations (12:15 PM – 1:00 PM)
This session covered nutritional strategies for aquaculture species, focusing on:
• Formulation of high-protein diets for Penaeid shrimp
• Comparative analysis of floating vs. sinking feed
• Role of probiotics and prebiotics in aquaculture nutrition
• Fishmeal replacement strategies using plant-based protein sources
• Impact of feed quality on growth performance and disease resistance
Lunch Break (1:00 PM – 2:15 PM)
Session 4: Shrimp Hatchery Management & Larval Rearing Techniques (2:15 PM – 3:00 PM)
Students explored shrimp hatchery operations focusing on:?
• Comparative study of Penaeus indicus, Litopenaeus vannamei, and Penaeus monodon
• Post-larval (PL) rearing and acclimatization procedures
• Management of water quality parameters in hatchery systems
• Application of probiotics for disease prevention in shrimp larvae
• Breeding technologies and selective breeding programs for shrimp production
Session 5: Marine Fish Broodstock Management & Culture Techniques (3:00 PM – 3:45 PM)
A detailed session on marine finfish aquaculture was conducted, with special emphasis on:
• Controlled spawning and induced breeding of Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer)
• Broodstock conditioning protocols and hormonal induction
• Comparative growth studies of milkfish (Chanos chanos) and carangids
• Live feed requirements for larval rearing and metamorphosis
• Stress physiology and adaptation mechanisms in cultured marine fish
Session 6: Certification Ceremony & Closing Remarks (3:45 PM – 4:15 PM)
Mr. Rajamanickam awarded training certificates to all participants, acknowledging their engagement and enthusiasm in learning modern aquaculture techniques.
Session 7: Student Feedback & Discussion Forum (4:15 PM – 5:00 PM)
Students expressed their appreciation for the hands-on exposure provided during the training program. Key takeaways from their feedback included:
• Recognition of the complexities in maintaining aquaculture hatcheries
• Interest in pursuing research on sustainable aquaculture systems
• Enhanced understanding of feed formulation and nutrient optimization
• Appreciation for the role of biotechnology in disease-resistant aquaculture
Dr. S. Ramachandraprabhu concluded the session by highlighting the importance of continued learning and research in aquaculture development.
