Lok Sabha Question No. 5057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Aquaculture under PMMSY
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi, Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5057 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  April 2025

## Aquaculture under PMMSY

## 5057. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi : Shri Pradyut Bordoloi :

Will the MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether there are reports indicating that certain aquaculture species like Kappaphycus alvarezii  (red  algae)  promoted  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY) are invasive and their proliferation threatens marine ecosystems, including coral reefs;
- (b)   if so, the details of such invasive species, their impact on coral reefs and local marine biodiversity, and studies or evidence the ministry has considered before promoting these species;
- (c)   the steps being taken to mitigate the environment impact of such invasive species and ensure that aquaculture under the PMMSY is sustainable; and
- (d)    whether the Ministry  plans to issue revised guidelines or stricter criteria for species selection under PMMSY, if so the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a) to (b) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the year 2020-21 has rolled out a flagship scheme the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crores in the fisheries sector for implementation during a period of five years i.e., 2020-21 to 2024-25, in all States/Union Territories. Under  PMMSY,  seaweed  cultivation  is  promoted  as  an  income-generating economic activity. The support is directed to improve the cultivation practices, infrastructure, awareness, training, research in this sector and to optimize the value chain in the Seaweed trade.  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India,  under  PMMSY  has  approved  the seaweed  projects worth ₹196.92 crore for installation Rafts, monolines/ tubenets, establishment of a Multipurpose Seaweed Park, Seaweed Seed bank, Seaweed Hatchery, Pre-feasibility Assessment study projects on seaweed farming, training and capacity building programs in various States and Union Territories. Besides, Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been designated as a Centre of Excellence for seaweed development and Lakshadweep Islands has been designated as a Seaweed Cluster.

ICAR-CMFRI under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has promoted seaweed  (red  algae)  species  viz., Gracilaria  edulis and Kappaphycus  alvarezii .  The Institutes like National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  (CMFRI)  have  studied  and  documented  impact  of  seaweed  cultivation  on biodiversity  including  coral  reefs.  Their  findings  indicate  no  negative  impact  on  marine biodiversity  and  no  invasive  characteristics  reported  for  Kappaphycus  spp.  in  the  marine ecosystem.

(c)  and  (d)  To  regulate  introduction  of  non-native  species,  Government  of  India  have constituted  the  National  Committee on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species into Indian waters that inter ali a review and assess the pros and cons of introduction of exotic aquatic species including seaweeds into the Country and also develop guidelines/code of ethics for future introductions. The committee is also responsible for approving the introduction of new species  and  developing  import  protocols  based  on  comprehensive  risk  assessments  to minimize  potential  ecological  and  economic  impacts.  The  Department  of  Fisheries, Government of India, under  PMMSY promotes species diversification  including  seaweed through  new  candidate  species  having  high  production  and  market  potential.  Further,  to promote  sustainable  seaweed  cultivation  under  PMMSY,  the  Department  of  Fisheries, Government of India, has notified the 'Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds into India' allowing  the  import  of  high-quality  seed  materials.  The  guidelines  outline  a  process  for importing live seaweed,  ensuring transparency and accountability, strict quarantine procedures  to  prevent  introduction  of  pests  and  diseases,  risk  assessment  to  identify potential  biosecurity  concerns  and  post-import  monitoring  for  strengthening  ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.

*****