Kochi/Chennai, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian, announced on Thursday that the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been recognized as a Centre of Excellence (CoE), a move that will significantly enhance seaweed cultivation across India.
During the inauguration of the CoE at CMFRI’s Mandapam campus in Tamil Nadu, the Minister underlined the essential role of ICAR-CMFRI in promoting marine fisheries and mariculture in the country. He asserted that this initiative will further contribute to the overall advancement of the fisheries sector.
The designation of ICAR-CMFRI Mandapam as a Centre of Excellence is aimed at the comprehensive development and promotion of seaweed culture within the nation.
While engaging with fishers and fish farmers, Kurian pointed out the substantial growth in India's fish production over the last ten years, which has risen from 95.79 lakh tons to 175.45 lakh tons.
He also highlighted the government's commitment to enhancing the sector through various initiatives.
Additionally, the Minister inaugurated the plantlet production unit for seaweed established at the Mandapam Centre under the CoE, and toured several facilities, including the Seaweed Plantlet Production Unit, Marine hatchery complex, National Marine Fish Brood bank, Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), Sea cage farm, Green Tiger shrimp hatchery established under the PMMSY scheme, Marine Biodiversity Museum, and Marine Aquarium.
CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George elaborated on plans for a robust collaboration with the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana in Thiruchirapalli to advance seaweed tissue culture programs.
Over 150 fishers, fish farmers, and seaweed farmers from Ramanathapuram and Pudukottai districts of Tamil Nadu participated in the interactive session, sharing their experiences in seaweed and sea cage farming, and expressing gratitude to the Centre, ICAR-CMFRI, and Tamil Nadu State Fisheries Department for various initiatives aimed at sectoral development.
Kurian subsequently assured the attendees that their concerns would be addressed.
