Evolution of “Floating Fish Cages for Inland Waters” Developed by RuTAG IIT Bombay

Abstract

Fisheries are one of the emerging sectors in India which engages 14.5 million people at primary level. Since the last many years, the production from marine fisheries has declined and production from inland fisheries has increased. The major activity in inland fisheries is cage fishing. NGO Shashwat in Ambegoan block of Pune district started cultivating fingerlings in cages given by CIFE but those cages had some problems and NGO requested RuTAG IIT Bombay to work on the design of new cages. This paper focuses on the study of earlier cages and problems associated with it, approach and methodology adopted by RuTAG IIT Bombay to design new fish cages. This paper also helps in understanding the major components used in RuTAG fish cage structure. “Floating fish cages for inland waters” developed by RuTAG IIT Bombay are sturdier and safe for working on it as compared to CIFE cages, which were used by local fisherman cooperative society initially and appreciated by Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra and Ministry of Development of Northeast region, Government of India by giving fund for dissemination.