Under the able guidance of Haldia Block Fishery Department, two progressive Vannamei shrimp farmer ( Tusar Jana & Madan Jana) started farming of  newly bred fish American Pomfret at Haldia Fish Farm, in Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in its quest to introduce new species of fish to Indian Aquaculture successfully bred American Pomfret.

American Pomfret seeds were transported by flight and road on 20th August 2019 from Mandapam, near Rameswaram in Tamilnadu to Haldia in the Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal at a distance of 2224 km and stocked in pond of fish farmer Tusar Jana and Madan Jana. About 1200 seed were stocked.

Mr. Suman Kumar Sahu, Haldia Block Fishery Extension Officer, said that American Pomfret fish can tolerate wide salinity range from 5 ppt to 35 ppt and can feed at all angles, which makes it a versatile and most aquaculture friendly species. Pompano is a high valued fish, thus improving the food production and nutritional enhancement of the country. During the culture course of 8 months they will reach a size range of 450-550 g weight, which will be an excellent table size for marketing.

“Domestic market prices are very lucrative for American Pomfret. At times when the cultivation of tiger prawn and high risk Vannamei shrimp are driving the farmer into losses frequently, shifting to cultivation of marine fish species is being seen as a viable and lucrative option,” added Mr Suman Kumar Sahu.