India Launches First Open-Sea Marine Fish Farm in Andaman Boosting Blue Economy Vision

India Pioneers Open-Sea Aquaculture with Launch of First Marine Fish Farming Project in Andaman Sea

In a strategic move to unlock its maritime economic potential, India has inaugurated its first open-sea marine fish farming pilot project in the Andaman Sea. Launched at North Bay near Sri Vijaya Puram, this initiative signifies a major milestone in the nation's Blue Economy journey, representing a deliberate shift towards the sustainable use of ocean resources for growth and livelihood generation.

Inauguration and Strategic Vision
The project was inaugurated by  Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh , during a visit to the open waters. The Minister described the endeavor as one of the first concrete steps toward realizing the economic value of India's vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), aligning with the broader vision for ocean-led development.

From Neglect to Asset: Focusing on the Blue Economy
Dr. Singh highlighted the historical under-utilisation of India's maritime resources post-Independence, noting a renewed focus since 2014 on recognizing oceans as critical national assets. He emphasized that India's extensive western, southern, and eastern coastlines, along with its island territories, possess unique characteristics that can significantly contribute to national development through advanced fisheries, marine aquaculture, and allied sectors.

Collaborative Implementation for Local Impact
The pilot project is a collaborative effort involving the  Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) , its technical arm the  National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) , and the  Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration . It focuses on the open-sea cultivation of high-value marine finfish and seaweed under natural conditions. This approach aims to marry advanced marine engineering with sustainable livelihood creation for local coastal communities.

Technology Deployment and Sustainable Expansion
As part of the launch,  seaweed seeds  were distributed to promote deep-water cultivation, while  finfish seeds  were introduced into  NIOT-developed open-sea cages , engineered to withstand dynamic oceanic conditions. The pilot phase is designed to assess technical and economic feasibility, building crucial operational knowledge for future scaling through public-private partnerships. During his visit, the Minister also toured the  Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park , reinforcing the imperative to balance ecological conservation with economic development within India's Blue Economy strategy.

Exam-Focused Important Facts:

• First of its Kind:  This is  India’s first pilot project for open-sea marine fish farming .

• Location:  The project has been launched in the  Andaman Sea , near North Bay.

• Implementing Agencies:  The project is led by the  Ministry of Earth Sciences  and executed by the  National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)  in collaboration with the A&N Islands administration.

• Technology Used:  It utilizes  specially designed open-sea cages  developed by NIOT to withstand ocean waves and currents.

• Strategic Alignment:  The initiative is a key component of India’s  Blue Economy policy , aiming to harness ocean resources for sustainable economic growth.