Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

1.3.4. Diversification of Coastal Aquaculture

Unit 1 - Shore based aquaculture and mariculture

1.3.4. Diversification of Coastal Aquaculture – MPEDA’s initiatives
Shrimp remains as the single largest and maximum value earner among the seafood exported from the country. It is estimated that cultured shrimps constitute 63% of the quantity of shrimps exported from India. Therefore, in order to diversify the export basket, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has set out on an action-oriented plan during the next five years. The plan envisages increasing the share of non-traditional cultured varieties to about 50% of the total production from aquaculture. In order to concentrate on the diversification of coastal aquaculture, MPEDA has, constituted a separate Society viz, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA). RGCA has embarked upon various missions to standardize and popularize the aquaculture of potential species in Indian waters, which have commercial significance. The following are some of the activities recently taken up by this organization.
a) Breeding of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)
b) Cage culture of Asian Seabass
c) Fattening of Rock Lobsters
d) Breeding and culture of Mud Crabs (Scylla serrata)
e) Artemia production
f) Breeding and culture of Groupers
g) Tilapia culture
The MPEDA has also taken up few demonstration projects in the farmers’ pond for encouraging the farmers to take up alternate culture of species such as Sea bass, Mullets, Milkfish, Mud crabs, Mussels, Oysters and Clams.

With a view to propagate mariculture in the country, a detailed feasibility study was undertaken during the 1990’s; through an overseas agency to micro survey the Indian coast for studying its potential for offshore farming. The survey revealed that India has great potential for offshore farming, along the continental coast of South India and the island coasts. The meteorological and hydrographical data have shown that the maximum wave and current actions are compatible with the best of offshore fish farming equipment. Wave conditions in the Arabian Sea seemed to be little rougher than in Bay of Bengal. The water quality conditions along the coast were found to be stable and good except in the west coast during the south west monsoon, during which upwelling is a common phenomena, creating oxygen depletion zones, followed by algal blooms which can adversely affect farming operations. The availability of suitable sea and land areas, service, transport facilities etc, were generally found to be adequate except in remote island locations. On the basis of this survey it was concluded that about 2000 sq. km. of sea surface is ideally available to take up offshore farming and a production potential of 8 million tonnes of high quality marine fish is harvestable through cage culture practices.