Department of Fisheries is promoting Artificial Reef (AR) under PMMSY for rejuvenating coastal fisheries

Subject : Schemes

Section: Agri

Context:

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).

Details:

The projects are being implemented with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

Artificial reefs:

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 are used for aggregating fish and provide a home for fish to live and grow, reduce wave damage on coasts, help regeneration of marine ecosystems 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.
- Providea 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).

Launched in May 2020 with the investment of Rs. 20,050 crore.
Aim: To bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
Over the years, increased fishing activities has reduced per capita yield from coastal fisheries, to led to heavy fishing pressure, loss of fishing grounds due to bottom trawling, coastal development etc.
This has also resulted in reduced income and forcing the fishers to go to deeper waters.