Context: To promote sustainable practices, Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states with a total investment of Rs 126 crore as a sub-activity under “Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages” of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). 

Key Points

• The Department of Fisheries is installing artificial reef units for coastal states as a sub-activity under ‘Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages’ of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). 

• The introduction of artificial reefs aims to educate and involve local fishermen in understanding the potential of Artificial Reefs to revolutionize marine fishing.

• The projects are being implemented with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). 

• All the states have completed their site selection process while states of Kerala and Maharashtra have completed the tendering process for execution of work. Thus all projects are expected to be completed by January 2024.

What are Coral Reefs?

• Corals are marine invertebrates or animals not possessing a spine. 

• Each coral is called a polyp and thousands of such polyps live together to form a colony, which grows when polyps multiply to make copies of themselves.

• Corals share a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae. 

• The zooxanthellae also give corals their bright colour.

• The algae provides the coral with food and nutrients, which they make through photosynthesis, using the sun’s light. 

• In turn, the corals give the algae a home and key nutrients. 

Significance

• Supports Marine Biodiversity: Coral reefs support over 25% of marine biodiversity, including fish, turtles and lobsters; even as they only take up 1% of the seafloor. 

Fishing Industry

• The marine life supported by reefs further fuels global fishing industries. 

• Even giant clams and whales depend on the reefs to live

• Protection from Storm: Coral reefs also provide protection from storm waves.

What are Artificial Reefs?

• An artificial reef is a human-made underwater structure that substitutes as a natural reef to form a habitat for marine life.

• Artificial reefs are placed in areas where there is little bottom topography or near coral reefs to attract marine populations. 

• The artificial reef resembles the structure of the natural reefs. The materials used were ceramic, an inert material similar to the calcium carbonate.

• Artificial reefs serve to protect coral reefs from human-induced damages as well as supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

Significance of Artificial Reefs

• It will help restore the marine environment and boost coastal fish production. 

• It will discourage bottom trawling in the near shore areas, helping the small-scale fishers get a higher catch.

• It will reduce wave damage on coasts and act as a carbon sink.

• It will provide a firm substrate for marine life such as corals, algae and plankton to attach to and grow. 

• It will enhance recreational fisheries, snorkeling, eco-tourism, creating suitable areas for diving.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• About It is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector to be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package.

• Ministry: Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying 

Aim:

1. To bring about a blue revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.

2. To double the incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10% and the generation of employment opportunities in the sector.

Implementation: It is implemented as an umbrella scheme with two separate components Central Sector Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

1. North Eastern & Himalayan States: 90% Central share and 10% State share.

2. Other States: 60% Central share and 40% State share.

The ‘Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages’ are under this scheme to promote sustainable fishing practices and leverage the blue economy.

About ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)

• It was established in 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and later it joined the ICAR in 1967. 

• Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala

• Its mission is to develop an information-based management system to regulate marine fisheries, augment coastal fish production and protect critical marine habitats.