Draft national policy formulate to ensure sustainably farmed seafood production

A draft national policy on mariculture formulated to ensure sustainably farmed seafood production for the benefit of food and nutritional security of the nation has suggested farming of genetically modified (GM) species in closed mariculture systems.

The draft National Policy on Mariculture (NPM) 2018 also seeks to provide additional livelihood options to the coastal communities for a better living. "...the policy allows farming exotic and genetically modified species in closed mariculture systems after stringent risk assessment and monitoring," the Central Marinesheries Research Institute (CMFRI) said here Thursday.

The draft NPM had been formulated by an expert committee set up by the Fi National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) with CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan as chairman.

In order to address the seed scarcity, innovative schemes will be developed for the setting up of hatcheries, seed farms, rearing units and specific pathogen free (SPF) or genetically improved brood banks.

Ensuring availability of seed material for the targeted mariculture species was critical to sustaining the momentum of the proposed expansion of mariculture sector in the country, it said The policy, available in the public domain for comments from stakeholders and interested groups, also said innovative schemes will be developed for establishing hatcheries, seed farms, rearing units and SPF, SPR and genetically improved brood banks.

It has mooted mariculture zones by demarcating special areas in the sea for different mariculture activities. Satellite remote sensing data and GIS will be used to identify potential zones on the basis of scientific evaluation of environmental parameters suitable for various types of farming, avoiding conflict with other users and protecting livelihoods of local fishing communities.

In a bid to support fish breeding, culture, packaging and trade, the policy proposes encouraging to set up off-shore technology parks and coastal embankment systems.

Referring to the security of the mariculture enterprises in the open sea waters, the policy has made provisions for leasing the water bodies and regulating the activities through changes in the law. In addition, the state would register and license all farms for a specific period ensuring protection to the farm assets.

The policy advises the government to formulate special financial assistance programmes, including prioritised lending schemes, subsidised credit and investment subsidies, to promote mariculture.

It also mooted introducing suitable insurance schemes for mariculture enterprise and to encourage private companies to develop insurance solutions for the sector.

The policy framework will lead to widespread adoption of mariculture technologies to meet the additional seafood demand while ensuring the environmental sustainability, socio-economic upliftment of stakeholders and guide the emergence, development, coordination and management of mariculture production in the country, it was stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)