In a step toward advancing India’s marine resources sector, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Seaweeds was inaugurated at the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian, presided over the inauguration, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable seaweed farming and marine aquaculture.
The CoE, a new designation for the Mandapam Centre, is envisioned as a hub for the holistic development of seaweed cultivation, addressing challenges such as low productivity and limited technological access. Speaking at the event, Kurian emphasized the potential of seaweed farming to diversify the livelihoods of coastal communities and contribute to India’s burgeoning fisheries sector.
Cultivation of seaweeds for sustainable income
“Seaweeds cultivation offers a sustainable income source for fishers and has immense potential to meet global demand for products ranging from food supplements to biofuels,” said Kurian. He noted that India’s fish production had nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching 175.45 lakh tons in 2023, reflecting the sector’s transformative growth.
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The Minister also inaugurated the Seaweed Plantlet Production Unit, a key initiative under the CoE, aimed at scaling up high-quality plantlet production to support seaweed farmers. He toured several facilities at the Mandapam Centre, including the Marine Hatchery Complex, National Marine Fish Brood Bank, and the Green Tiger Shrimp Hatchery established under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
During the event, more than 150 fishers, fish farmers, and seaweeds cultivators from Tamil Nadu districts like Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai participated in an interactive session. They shared their experiences and challenges, with the Minister assuring them of continued government support through tailored schemes and financial incentives.
Dr. Grinson George, Director of ICAR-CMFRI, highlighted the collaborative efforts underway to strengthen seaweed tissue culture programs in partnership with the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli. “This Centre will play a pivotal role in making seaweed farming more accessible and profitable for farmers while contributing to marine biodiversity conservation,” he remarked.
The event also included insights from Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director of the NRC Banana, and Dr. Dileep Kumar, Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) at ICAR-CMFRI. Both underscored the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in harnessing the potential of marine resources.
The Centre of Excellence for Seaweeds is set to play a transformative role in India’s marine economy, offering a sustainable pathway for income generation, environmental conservation, and the global positioning of India as a leader in seaweed cultivation.