Patna, Jan. 25: Residents of the state may soon be spared the trouble of shelling out extra bucks for their finned favourites, as the animal and fish resources department is set to go all out and step up the fish production in the state.

Fisheries department director Nishad Ahmad told The Telegraph today that the government would reserve 20 per cent of the water bodies in all 534 blocks of the state for spawn production.

“The department has decided to create nurseries for spawn production. For that, we will reserve 20 per cent of the water bodies in each block. These nurseries would be used for the purpose of seed production,” said Ahmad.

Ponds, lakes and small rivulets would be reserved as nurseries.

The director also said: “Fishermen’s co-operative societies would take care of these nurseries. Fish farmers would rear the spawn that would later become fish. The department will provide all technical assistance and also help the farmers to market their produce.”

He added that this initiative would increase the fish production in the state.

At present, most of the fish available in the market is imported from Andhra Pradesh and Bengal.

These arrive in the state two or three days after being caught. As a result, connoisseurs of fish delicacies in the state often have to settle for carp preserved in ice for three or four days.

Fresh local fish is also available, but their quantity is too low and the prices too high. While the Andhra variety of rohu is priced at Rs 90 per kilo, the fresh Patna variety comes for Rs 200.

All that could, however, soon change. Fish production in the state is set for a hike, and fish lovers may soon have to pay less for fresh favourites.

Sources said the road map for the initiative has been finalised, and the work will begin this year.

Discussing the process of rearing the spawn, Ahmad said: “One hectare area can stock 5 lakh spawn, released from eggs. After 15 days, it becomes a fry and then a fingerling. It is 3-inch-long. It will be sold to fish farmers at Rs 2 apiece. The department will also provide 50 per cent subsidy to farmers who cultivate fingerling as well.”

At present, Bihar does not have any fish nursery. The state government has 80 hatcheries, where eggs are hatched under artificial conditions.

Sources said when the spawn is moved to an artificial container for rearing, the quality of the fish deteriorate.

Asked about the aim of the initiative, Ahmad said: “To enhance the production, the prerequisite condition is to provide quality seeds to the farmers. At present, there is requirement of 600 million seeds annually in the state. But we produce only 450 million. The deficit is supplied by Bengal.”

Animal and fish resources minister Giriraj Singh was also hopeful about the increase in fish production. “At present, we have an annual production of 2.88 lakh metric tonnes but by 2015, we hope to reach the target of 8.86 lakh metric tonne. The day is not far when we can export fish to other states like Bengal.”