ARTIFICIAL REEF

Why in News?

To promote sustainable practices, Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states with a total investment of Rs 126 crore as a sub-activity under “Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages” of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

The projects are being implemented with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). All the states have completed their site selection process while states of Kerala and Maharashtra have completed the tendering process for execution of work. Thus, all projects are expected to be completed by January 2024.

What is Artificial Reef?

Artificial reefs are engineering technology interventions used to rehabilitate and/or improve natural habitats, increase productivity and manage aquatic resources including habitat enhancement (FAO, 2015).

Installation of artificial reefs is advantageous in many forms as below:

• Similar to natural reefs, ARs used for aggregating fish and provide a home for fish to live and grow, reduce wave damage on coasts, helps regeneration of marine ecosystem and act as a carbon sink. As per CMFRI, two to three-fold increase in catch rates and efficiency can be realized Thus saving fuel and energy costs leading to increased income.

• Provide a firm substrate for marine life such as corals, algae and plankton to attach to and grow They provide favorable conditions for sea ranching and serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fish.

• Enhance recreational fisheries, snorkeling, eco-tourism, creating suitable areas for diving and reducing conflicts.

• Artificial reef structures restrict bottom trawling in the near shore areas thus helping the marine environment to regenerate and small-scale fishers get higher catch

• One artificial reef of 300m3 is expected to support 25-30 non-mechanized boats (CMFRI).

What is Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)?

“Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana – A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India” with highest ever investment of Rs. 20050 crores in fisheries sector comprising of Central share of Rs. 9407 crore, State share of Rs 4880 crore and Beneficiaries contribution of Rs. 5763 crore. PMMSY will be implemented over a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories.

Aims and objectives of PMMSY

a. Harnessing of fisheries potential in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner
b. Enhancing of fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water
c. Modernizing and strengthening of value chain – post-harvest management and quality improvement
d. Doubling fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generation of employment
e. Enhancing contribution to Agriculture GVA and exports
f. Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers
g. Robust fisheries management and regulatory framework