CMFRI director, Dr Grinson George, distributing fish farming inputs to farmers belonging to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities during the training programme held at CMFRI on Saturday
Highlighting that mariculture is the next big thing in India’s marine fisheries sector, CMFRI director Dr Grinson George said that technologies such as cage culture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) could be utilised to increase marine fish production.
He was speaking after inaugurating a training programme for fish farmers at CMFRI on Saturday marking the nationwide launch of the Central Government’s Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM DDKY).
He pointed out that India currently produces an average 3.5 million tonnes from marine capture fisheries annually, but that this figure couldn’t be relied on.
“Due to climate change and resource depletion, the country needs to explore alternative systems such as mariculture to increase marine fish production. To meet the growing seafood demand, at least 25 lakh tonnes of mariculture production is targeted by 2047,” he said.
On CMFRI’s role in increasing marine production, he said that the institute has developed several mariculture technologies suited to Indian conditions, which can substantially enhance productivity and livelihood opportunities.
The CMFRI director also said that the country has immense potential in seaweed farming, another major component in mariculture.
“While the global seaweed production stands at 35.5 million tonnes, India’s production remains very low. At least 5 million tonnes of domestic seaweed production could be achieved by the country to meet the growing industrial and nutraceutical demand,” he stated.
Referring to India’s vast coastline and favourable marine conditions, he said the country has the natural potential and scientific capability to emerge as a global mariculture hub.
“If we adopt modern technologies and develop a strong policy framework, mariculture can transform the economic landscape of coastal India,” he said, adding that a national mariculture policy and supportive legal framework were required to promote sustainable, large-scale investment and systematic growth in this sector.
The training sessions covered a range of aquaculture techniques, including mussel and oyster farming, cage fish culture, pen culture, biofloc technology, and the production of fish feed using black soldier fly larvae. As part of the event, fishing and farming inputs were distributed free of charge to those belonging to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities.
