Eel culture in India

Abstract

The main objective of fish culture is to produce more protein-rich food, there has been an emphasis, particularly in the developing countries, on the culture of luxury table fish to step up exports. Eels (Anguilla spp) are considered as a luxury food and consumed as a delicacy in several Asian and European countries. The present report highlights some of the basic information on the Indian eels and their culture, based on the results of the experiments conducted during the period 1974-1980. The survey conducted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has brought to light many promising centres for large scale collection of elvers. The techniques of live elver collection and their transportation have been developed. In addition to eel culture, collection and export of elvers could also be taken up as a profitable enterprise with the development of export market. Apart from earning foreign exchange for the country, this would offer employment opportunities to a large number of marginal fishermen.