Integrated coastal mariculture, seafarming andudstock proposal of a project concept forudadoption in the Gulfudof Mannar and the contiguous sea areas

摘要

An integrated system of marine polyculture of shrimp with Gracilaria,udpearl oyster and sea cucumber is proposed here through this project conceptudfor adoption to help revive the shrimp farms suffering from the problems ofudwhite spot disease and intense slushformation in the pond bottoms on account ofudintensive monoculture practices. The project proposes introduction officiating,udmobile, motorized sea farm platforms made of four artisanal boats each, whichudwill function as a seafarming-cum-fish aggregating-cum-fishing device. Alsoudincluded in the project is the construction of artificial reef complexes made ofudtriangular concrete modules in order to create habitats for the colonisation ofudcommercialfish stocks. The seafarming cum- seaflshing platforms can functionuddependent on or independently of the artificial reef complexes. Conversion ofudthe existing surplus boats in the Indian fishing fleets into such platforms seemsudto be the only means of rehabilitating the idling, unproductive boats and the fishermen.udA multipurpose marine hatchery complex is included in the project to produceudseeds of all the target candidate species for sea ranching in the artificialudreef sites, for meeting the seed requirements of the project's onshoreudpolyculture farm and of the seaf arm, and supply for onfarm trials in the adoptedudfarms. The project facilities and infrastructure shouldfocus mainly on theudpopularisation of ecofriendly marine polyculture practices, which alone couldudmake coastal aquculture and seafarming viable in the long run.