Mariculture is the farming of aquatic plants and animals in salt water. Thus, mariculture represents a subset of the larger field of aquaculture, which involves the farming of both fresh-water and marine organisms. The major categories of mariculture species are seaweeds, mollusks, crustaceans, and finfish.
Thus, while we have 63% of our land area for crop agriculture, we should not forget this vast coastal area, much of which breeds seaweeds. 

Mariculture in India:

• 306 seaweeds in the Gulf of Mannar, 252 are edible, thus India should embark on Mariculture as vigorously as Agriculture, given its 7,500 km-long coastal line.
• It does not require pesticides, fertilizers and water for irrigation, which is an added advantage.
• Seaweeds are rich sources of vitamins A and C, and minerals such as Ca, Mg, Zn, Se and Fe.
• They also have a high level of vegetable proteins and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
• Maricutlure is one of the best alternative employment options for India’s 40-lakh-odd fisherfolk to meet the ever-increasing demand for fish production. 
• Resources such as tuna, oceanic squids, meso-pelagic resources, krill and other unconventional and untapped resources can be harvested to meet the soaring demand
• Traditional fishermen need to be trained and equipped for deep-sea fishing. 
• Unlike other South Asian countries, sea farming or mariculture in India has long been confined to culture of seaweeds, pearly oysters, edible oysters and mussels in a few patches of the South West coast.