Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

Unit 1 - Shore based aquaculture and mariculture

1.3.2. Aquaculture Diversification Programmes
As stated above, the development and progress of coastal aquaculture efforts in India have been concentrating mainly on shrimp or scampi so far especially in the coastal areas on the landward side due to their economic importance, as well as the ready availability of technology and ready market for the produce. Pilot or experimental trials have been attempted for other species of commercial importance. The Indian research institutes have already standardized the breeding technologies for many of the potential species in our waters. However, commercialisations of such efforts have not been materialized due to various reasons. The potential candidates for mariculture in Indian coast are listed in the following animation.

• Pioneering experimental level works on breeding and rearing of various potential species have been carried out in India by the ICAR research institutes like Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and others, as early as 1970s.
• These pilot scale attempts have proved that the breeding and rearing of the potential species are possible and the technology was made available for transferring to the entrepreneurs.
• However, the transfer of the technology did not result in large-scale development of mariculture activities due to lack of policy to attract investment in this sector. Hence, the coastal aquaculture remained as an infant and focused only towards shrimp culture, for nearly three decades.
• However, there have been attempts by private entrepreneurs to start pond culture of finfishes such as Seabass, Milkfish, etc. Fattening projects on Mud crabs and Lobsters were also found to be feasible by the local farmers.
• Further, a major project for cultivation and processing of seaweeds has been recently started in the south east coast by a private company.
• Although molluscs culture has been primarily at sustenance level by the local fisherman, attempts have been already made for organized culture of mussels, oysters, clams, etc in some coastal villages.
• But such projects faced serious marketing problems due to limited production levels. Besides, so far there has been no system in India to classify suitable water for shellfish culture on account of water quality and quarantine measures to meet international product standards. Hence, more efforts are required in this direction.