India has launched its first-ever open-sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman Sea, marking a major step towards harnessing ocean resources for sustainable growth.

What is the project about?

• The project was launched at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Sea.
• It focuses on open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed in natural ocean conditions, unlike traditional near-shore or inland aquaculture.
• The initiative is implemented through collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, its technical arm National Institute of Ocean Technology, and the Union Territory administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Key features of the initiative

• Marine fauna component:
  • Cage-based cultivation of finfish using NIOT-developed open-sea cages, designed to withstand strong currents and waves.
• Marine flora component:
  • Distribution of seaweed seeds to local fishing communities to promote deep-water seaweed farming.
• Livelihood focus:
  • Direct involvement of local fishers to create new income opportunities and reduce pressure on capture fisheries.

Significance

• Advances the Blue Economy vision:
  • The project aligns with India’s Blue Economy approach, which aims at sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, livelihoods and ecosystem health.
• Untapped ocean potential:
  • India has a long coastline and vast Exclusive Economic Zone, yet open-sea aquaculture remains underdeveloped.
• Scalable model:
  • The pilot will generate technical and economic insights that can later support public–private participation and expansion to other coastal regions.

Policy and governance linkages

• Supports national priorities related to Blue Economy, livelihood diversification for fishers, and technology-led marine resource management.
• Complements efforts under fisheries and coastal development frameworks by shifting focus from overexploited near-shore areas to open-sea systems.

One-line wrap

India’s first open-sea marine fish farming project signals a shift towards technology-driven, sustainable use of ocean resources under the Blue Economy vision.

Exam Hook 

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. India’s first open-sea marine fish farming project involves cage-based cultivation of finfish in natural ocean conditions.
2. The project is implemented with technical support from the National Institute of Ocean Technology.
3. Seaweed cultivation is excluded from the scope of the project.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (a)

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