An Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Management Laboratory, the first of its kind in the Government sector will be set up in the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) here.
The National Fisheries Development Board has sanctioned Rs 56 lakh in this regard for aquatic organisms, including shrimps, fresh water prawn and farming fishes.
B. Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice-Chancellor, KUFOS, said that the centre would be able to regularly monitor the occurrence of diseases and evolve effective strategies for health management for aqua culturists. By doing so, the lab will also play an important role in quarantine and disease-free certification of ornamental fish. Around 250-300 farmers, at least, are likely to be benefited by the setting up of such a facility in the State, he said.
The laboratory will function as a monitoring and surveillance centre for disease affecting fishes. The centre will be able to test the pollution levels of waters, he said. KUFOS will maintain registers pertaining to the details of farmers, samples given for testing, tests undertaken and results. This will help university students develop researches in related areas.
The prospective of shrimps and fresh water prawn can be fully exploited by culturing disease free species and boosting the export market, he added.
The laboratory will also have facilities for seed quality testing, soil and water quality and feed testing.