MP Advocates for Marine Fish Hatchery to Boost Coastal Economy in Dakshina Kannada
In a significant move to bolster the coastal fisheries sector, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has formally urged the central government to establish a marine finfish hatchery in the district. This initiative aims to address the acute shortage of quality marine fish seed and promote sustainable mariculture practices along India's west coast.
Addressing Critical Shortages in Marine Resources
Highlighting the district's pivotal role as one of Karnataka's key coastal fisheries hubs, Capt Chowta emphasized that thousands of livelihoods in Dakshina Kannada depend heavily on marine resources. While capture fisheries have largely stabilized, the expansion of open-sea cage culture and coastal mariculture is severely constrained by the lack of reliable, locally produced marine finfish seed.
Currently, much of the seed used along the west coast is sourced from the east coast, leading to numerous challenges. These include higher input costs, transportation stress, biosecurity risks, and supply uncertainties, which hinder the growth of the mariculture industry.
Proposed Hatchery Details and Benefits
Referring to a detailed project proposal prepared by the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Mangaluru Regional Centre, Capt Chowta outlined the specifics of the proposed multi-species hatchery. The facility would have an annual capacity of 1–2 million seeds and cover high-value species such as cobia, silver pompano, Indian pompano, and snapper.
The establishment of this hatchery is expected to yield multiple benefits:
- Strengthen Marine Cage Farming: By providing a steady supply of high-quality seed suited to local conditions.
- Promote Local Entrepreneurship: Encouraging new ventures in the mariculture sector.
- Generate Coastal Employment: Creating job opportunities in hatchery operations and related activities.
- Enhance Fish Production: Boosting output without adding pressure on wild stocks, aligning with India's Blue Economy vision.
Call for Government Support
Capt Chowta has urged the government to prioritize the hatchery project through necessary approvals, technical support, and financial assistance. This step is crucial to ensuring the steady availability of marine finfish seed, which is essential for the sustainable growth of the mariculture industry along the west coast.
By addressing the seed shortage and reducing dependency on distant sources, the proposed hatchery could play a transformative role in advancing India's Blue Economy goals while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities in Dakshina Kannada.
