UTILIZATION OF INDEPENDENT FEED WITH DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE FOR MILKFISH GROWOUT IN SEA CAGES
Milkfish aquaculture in sea cages is one of the efforts to support the production improvement of fishery aquaculture particularly for milkfish that have increasing demand. The successful of aquaculture not only are affected by best seed supplies and proper aquaculture environment but also is influenced by nutrition intake through the feeding. Balai Perikanan Budidaya Air Payau Takalar (BPBAPT) in one of engineering activities was trialing applications of feeding combination for milkfish grow out in sea cages. The aims of this activity are to determine feed efficiency, growth, life sustainability, and protein retention. It is implemented in sea cage with 3 x 3 x 3 m2, stocking density is 500 fish/net with five treatment and three duplications. This trial was showing a better result that feeding combination for milkfish grow out in sea cage not only to reduce the operational cost of feeding but also was improving grow rates, feeding efficiency and reducing feed conversion ration (FCR). Furthermore, this activity is economically profit and strongly supports the national food security program through environmentally friendly aquaculture and the independent feeding movement (GERPARI) for sustainable aquaculture.