Artificial Reef (AR)

24-09-2023

1 min read

Prelims: Environment & Ecology

Overview:

To promote sustainable practices, the Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states as a sub-activity under “Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages' ' of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

About Artificial Reefs (AR):

An artificial reef is a manmade structure that may mimic some of the characteristics of a natural reef.
These are engineering technology interventions used to rehabilitate and/or improve natural habitats, increase productivity and manage aquatic resources including habitat enhancement (FAO, 2015).
Materials used to construct artificial reefs have included rocks, cinder blocks, and even wood and old tires and come in an infinite number of shapes and styles.
The projects are being implemented with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Advantages of AR
- It boosts marine biodiversity.
- It encourages fish population growth.
- It reduces pressure on natural reefs.

What is Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana?

It is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores for its implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories.
What are the aims of the scheme?
- It aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25.
- Increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25.
- Doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25%.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Q1) What is the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute?

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is a premier research institution in India dedicated to the study and research of marine and coastal ecosystems, with a focus on fisheries. It is one of the several research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which is the apex body for coordinating and funding agricultural research and education in India.

Source: The Department of Fisheries is promoting Artificial Reef (AR) under PMMSY for rejuvenating coastal fisheries