Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated India’s inaugural open-sea marine fish farming venture in the Andaman Sea. This project marks a significant stride towards realizing the Blue Economy using India’s abundant oceanic resources. Launched at North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, the initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, NIOT, and the UT Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Dr. Singh emphasized that this pioneering project signifies a crucial move to tap into the economic potential of India’s oceans. By integrating scientific advancements with livelihood creation, the project focuses on cultivating marine finfish and seaweed in natural oceanic settings. The minister highlighted the untapped economic prospects of India’s oceans, likening them to the country’s other valuable resources.
During the visit, the minister kickstarted two key interventions aimed at enhancing livelihoods. The marine flora segment involved distributing seaweed seeds to local fishing communities to encourage deep-water seaweed cultivation. Additionally, finfish seeds were provided for cage-based cultivation, utilizing NIOT-developed open-sea cages designed for natural ocean environments.
Dr. Singh underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in scaling up such initiatives for future endeavors. By leveraging the gained experience and feasibility assessments, the minister envisions accelerating deployment, expanding livelihood opportunities, and fortifying India’s Blue Economy ecosystem. He emphasized the shift in national focus post-2014 towards recognizing the wealth and growth potential of India’s maritime domain.
