Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 October 2024
In a significant step towards boosting sustainable marine resources, the Fisheries Department of the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Administration, in collaboration with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), has launched the Seaweed Cultivation Demonstration Project at Chidiyatapu. The initiative aims to explore the potential of seaweed farming in the region.
The project was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary of A&N Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, in a ceremony held on October 23, 2024. The event was attended by senior officials, including Ms. Nandini Paliwal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Fisheries); Mr. Vishwendra, Secretary (Fisheries); Prof. B. Ramakrishnan, Director (NIOT); Ms. Jagtap Kalyani Rajendra, Director (Fisheries); and members of the local fishing community.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Chandra emphasized the global demand for seaweed and highlighted its versatility in producing products such as cosmetics, bio-plastics, colours, and food items. He noted that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, had called for the mass cultivation of seaweed as part of a broader vision for sustainable development.
“The A&N Administration, in partnership with NIOT, has initiated this demonstration project to assess the feasibility of seaweed cultivation in these islands,” the Chief Secretary said. He elaborated that NIOT has initially identified 5 hectares of sea area for the project, with an additional 5 hectares to be developed by the Fisheries Department. The locally available species, ‘Gracilaria edulis’, will be cultivated in these areas to ensure minimal disruption to the local ecosystem.
Mr. Chandra also stressed that the cultivation process is simple, with the seaweed ready for harvest within 30 days, offering a swift return on investment for those involved. He outlined plans to expand seaweed farming to other areas, including South Point, Shoal Bay, North Bay, Kodiyaghat, Pokadera, and Durgapur Jetty.
“We aim to position the A&N Islands as a national leader in seaweed cultivation, setting a benchmark for other regions,” Mr. Chandra remarked, lauding NIOT and the Fisheries Department for their efforts in launching the project.
The event also featured the deployment of seaweed tube-nets into the cultivation rafts, with Mr. Chandra personally participating in the process. Visitors, including officials and fishermen, had the opportunity to explore stalls displaying various seaweed products, highlighting the commercial possibilities of the cultivation.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mr. Vishwendra, Secretary (Fisheries), and Prof. Ramakrishnan, Director of NIOT, formalising the collaboration on the Seaweed Cultivation Project.
Mr. Vishwendra, in his address, explained that the project was initially conceived during the weekly review meetings led by the Chief Secretary. Last year, NIOT was allocated 5 hectares of sea area for technology stabilization, which laid the foundation for this demonstration farm. He affirmed that the project aligns with the new ‘Comprehensive Fisheries Development Policy’ and will be scaled up in the coming phases.
Earlier, Prof. Ramakrishnan, Director of NIOT, welcomed the gathering and outlined NIOT’s broader activities. He informed attendees that 11,000 species of seaweed have been recorded globally, with 865 taxa reported in India. The A&N Islands, he added, are home to 244 species, 58 of which have significant commercial value.
The launch of the Seaweed Cultivation Demonstration Project marks a promising step toward the sustainable utilisation of marine resources in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with potential benefits for both the environment and the local economy.