Outlet No energy No artificial feed No chemicals Halophytes can also be grown as cash crops on top of mounds Water spread area for fish culture Slopes of the mounds for mangrove plantation Inlet Figure 2. Another design of the seawater based integrated agro-aqua farm with earthen mounds. Advantages. In IMFFS ponds, mangrove trees can be grown along the inner and outer bunds and mounds. On top of the bunds, halophytes such as Sesuvium or Salicornia can be cultivated. Fish can be grown in the water spread area. The mangrove plants, when they grow as trees in about 4 to 5 years, will act as a bioshield. They also provide necessary nutrients and feeds for fish, crabs, or prawns growing in the pond. The matured leaves, twigs and other plant matter, which fall into the water, will degrade and release nutrients and result in the formation of detritus or decomposed matter. These detritus particles become substrate for bacteria and fungus to grow, and they convert nitrogen present in the detritus into protein. In addition, a variety of enzymes are also produced during the process of decomposition. The presence of nitrogen, carbon, protein, enzymes, and fungi and bacteria increase the nutritive value of the detritus. Both crabs and prawns nourish detritus and thus, they get naturally balanced feeds. Thus, IMFFS ponds are ideal for the extensive culture of fish, prawn and crabs. Many halophytes, which are salt loving plants, can be grown as commercial crops on top of the bunds and can be harvested periodically for marketing. In the water spread area, initially fish and prawn can be grown together and later crabs can be cultivated. Another advantage in the IMFFS is that only very limited energy is required for operation. Since water is exchanged daily by tides through gravitation, pumping water in and out of the ponds to maintain water quality is not required. Also there is no need to use an aerator to increase the oxygen content of the water. Secondly, daily exchange of water brings in fresh food in the form of planktons (microscopic plants and animals that float and drift in large numbers in sea and brackish water). This means there is no need to use artificial feeds. Zero use of energy and natural feeds significantly reduce input cost and prevent environmental pollution. Experiments in Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System An Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System has been established in partnership with a private entrepreneur and the local community in the Pulianthurai region of Nagapattinam District. This farm occupies an area of about one hectare and development of IMFF system was began in 2006. This farm has physical provisions in the form of inner bunds to grow mangroves and halophytes and enough water spread areas to culture fish, prawn and crabs. ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 19 3 F igure 2. Another design of the seawater based integrated agro-aqua farm with earthen mounds. Advantages. In IMFFS ponds, mangrove trees can be grown along the inner and outer bunds and mounds. On top of the bunds, halophytes such as Sesuvium or Salicornia can be cultivated. Fish can be grown in the water spread area. The mangrove plants, when they grow as trees in about 4 to 5 years, will act as a bioshield. They also provide necessary nutrients and feeds for fish, crabs, or prawns growing in the pond. The matured leaves, twigs and other plant matter, which fall into the water, will degrade and release nutrients and result in the formation of detritus or decomposed matter. These detritus particles become substrate for bacteria and fungus to grow, and they convert nitrogen present in the detritus into protein. In addition, a variety of enzymes are also produced during the process of decomposition. The presence of nitrogen, carbon, protein, enzymes, and fungi and bacteria increase the nutritive value of the detritus. Both crabs and prawns nourish detritus and thus, they get naturally balanced feeds. Thus, IMFFS ponds are ideal for the extensive culture of fish, prawn and crabs. Many halophytes, which are salt loving plants, can be grown as commercial crops on top of the bunds and can be harvested periodically for marketing. In the water spread area, initially fish and prawn can be grown together and later crabs can be cultivated. Another advantage in the IMFFS is that only very limited energy is required for operation. Since water is exchanged daily by tides through gravitation, pumping water in and out of the ponds to maintain water quality is not required. Also there is no need to use an aerator to increase the oxygen content of the water. Secondly, daily exchange of water brings in fresh food in the form of planktons (microscopic plants and animals that float and drift in large numbers in sea and brackish water). This means there is no need to use artificial feeds. Zero use of energy and natural feeds significantly reduce input cost and prevent environmental pollution. Experiments in Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System An Integrated Mangrove Fishery Farming System has been established in partnership with a private entrepreneur and the local community in the Pulianthurai region of Nagapattinam District. This farm occupies an area of about one hectare and development of IMFF system
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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