Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Aquaculture Species
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  February 2026

## Aquaculture Species

## 515. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi :

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

- (a) whether the  Government  is  aware  of  reports  indicating  that  certain  aquaculture species  like  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;
- (c) whether any study or evidence the Government has considered before promoting these species;
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government to mitigate the environmental impact of such invasive species and ensure that aquaculture under the PMMSY is sustainable; and
- (e) whether the Government has any proposals to issue revised guidelines or fixed strict criteria for species selection under PMMSY and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a)  to  (c)  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and Dairying Government of India 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  ₹198.17  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.

As per the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog report on Strategy for the  Development  of  Seaweed  Value  Chain ,  Institutes  such  as  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 red algae species such as Gracilaria edulis and Kappaphycus alvarezii . in the marine  ecosystem.  The  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  has  also inter  alia reported  that commercial  cultivation  of  Kappaphycus  was  started  from  2005,  and  there  was  no invasiveness seen as apprehended. However, as a precautionary measure, vide G.O. (MS)  No.229,  Environment  and  Forests  (EC-3)  Department,  dated  20.12.2005  the Kappaphycus has not allowed for cultivation in Gulf of Mannar region.

(d)  and  (e)  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.

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