India sets mariculture growth target

Speaking at the CMFRI headquarters during the launch of a nationwide training programme for fish farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, CMFRI director Dr Grinson George emphasised the critical role of mariculture in the country’s future marine fisheries development.

“Due to climate change and resource depletion, the country needs to explore alternative systems such as mariculture to increase marine fish production,” he said.

“To meet the growing seafood demand, at least 25 lakh tonnes of mariculture production is targeted by 2047,” Dr George said.

India currently produces around 3.5 million tonnes from marine capture fisheries annually. However, with changing environmental conditions, CMFRI is promoting advanced mariculture technologies such as cage culture and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture to boost sustainable production and enhance coastal livelihoods.

George also highlighted India’s untapped potential in seaweed farming, suggesting a domestic target of 5 million tonnes to meet industrial and nutraceutical demands.

Referring to the country’s vast coastline and favourable marine ecosystem, he said, “If we adopt modern technologies and develop a strong policy framework, mariculture can transform the economic landscape of coastal India.”

The training session introduced farmers to techniques like mussel and oyster farming, pen and cage culture, biofloc systems and innovative fish feed methods. Inputs were distributed free to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe participants.