Premium
Pilot study on polyculture of juveniles spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata , with milkfish, Chanos chanos , to marketable sizes using large‐scale operation of earthen ponds in Thailand
Author(s) -
Kritsanapuntu Sirusa,
Chaitanawisuti Nilnaj,
Santhaweesuk Wannannee,
Natsukari Yutaka
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2006.01471.x
Subject(s) - milkfish , polyculture , biology , fishery , production cost , zoology , aquaculture , fish <actinopterygii> , engineering , mechanical engineering
Growth, production and economic analysis was performed for the polyculture of juveniles spotted babylon, Babylonia areolata , and milkfish, Chanos chanos , to marketable sizes using a large‐scale production of earthen ponds in Thailand. The analysis was based on actual cost and production data from a pilot commercial‐scale farm. A total farm area of 0.8 ha was comprised of 0.3 ha grow‐out earthen ponds, a 0.4 ha seawater reservoir, and a 0.08 ha accommodation and office. Each pond was stocked with spotted babylon juveniles of 0.3 g initial body weight at a density of 200 snails m −2 , and they were harvested at a 7‐month period, at an average body weight of 4.6 g for a total yield per production cycle of spotted babylon and milkfish of 9875 and 6875 kg ha −1 respectively. Based on farm data and harvest data used in this study, initial investment requirement was estimated to be $4837. The ownership cost and operating cost per production cycle were $2241 and $18 501 respectively. Total cost per production cycle was $20 742. The cost of producing spotted babylon marketable sizes in this grow‐out farm design was $6.56 kg −1 . The enterprise budgets based on the price of spotted babylon at a farm gate in 2003 of $9.00 kg −1 results in gross return, net return, return to capital and management, and return on investment of $31 190, $10 448, $12 689 and 2.62 respectively. Milkfish was not calculated for any returns because they were less than marketable sizes.