India’s First Open-Sea Fish Farming Pilot, Andaman Sea
Why in the news
India began its first open-sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman Sea, a step for the Blue Economy that blends science with local livelihoods.
Key facts
- Nature: pilot open-sea aquaculture covering marine finfish and seaweed in natural ocean conditions.
- Site: North Bay, near Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Agencies: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
- Aim: unlock ocean-based economic potential, build coastal livelihoods and show scaling up is technically feasible.
Project features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Finfish | NIOT-designed cages built for ocean conditions |
| Seaweed | Deep-water cultivation; seed given to local fishers |
| Scalability | PPP-ready model from feasibility studies and field experience |
| Benefits | Food security, jobs, resilience |
About the Andaman Sea
- A marginal sea in the northeast Indian Ocean, historically important for trade.
- Borders the Irrawaddy delta, Myanmar, Thailand, Sumatra and the Strait of Malacca; area about 7.98 lakh sq km.
- The Andaman-Nicobar Ridge is a tectonically active subduction zone; valleys exceed 4,400 m in places.
- Irrawaddy sediment on the shallow northern shelf affects salinity and habitats.
Exam angle
- Related term: Blue Economy.