Sri Vijaya Puram, June 6: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has launched two major marine technology initiatives in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including a pilot-scale fish farming programme and the deployment of a 3D-printed artificial reef, in a move aimed at strengthening the Islands’ Blue Economy and promoting sustainable marine resource management.
The projects were launched at the NIOT–Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology Innovation (ACOSTI) in Sri Vijaya Puram in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
The programme was inaugurated by Chandra Bhushan Kumar, who distributed fish seed to beneficiaries and interacted with members of the local fishing community during the event.
Officials said the twin initiatives represent an effort to combine scientific innovation with livelihood enhancement by introducing sustainable technologies that can improve fish production while protecting marine ecosystems.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of translating scientific research into practical benefits for island communities.
He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between scientific institutions and government agencies to support sustainable livelihoods, capacity building and technology transfer across the archipelago.
The first initiative focuses on pilot-scale cage culture and fish seed stocking, which aims to improve fish production through controlled marine aquaculture systems.
Officials said the project is expected to contribute to fisheries development while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
Under the programme, fish seed will be raised and stocked through scientifically managed systems that can support sustainable production and provide additional income opportunities for fishers.
The second initiative involves the deployment of a custom-designed 3D-printed concrete artificial reef developed through collaboration between NIOT and IIT Guwahati.
According to NIOT officials, the artificial reef has been installed near the institute’s Andaman facility and will serve as a platform for studying marine colonisation and ecosystem development.
Professional divers will monitor the structure over the coming year to assess biological growth and examine its potential role in supporting coral development and marine biodiversity.
Speaking at the event, Balaji Ramakrishnan described the deployment as a significant step in applying advanced engineering solutions to marine conservation challenges.
He said the institute would closely observe how marine organisms interact with the artificial reef and evaluate its contribution to habitat enhancement in coastal waters.
The Director also announced a major investment aimed at strengthening fisheries infrastructure in the Islands.
According to NIOT, the institute will invest approximately Rs 15 crore to establish a broodstock development facility at its Sri Vijaya Puram campus.
The proposed facility is expected to play a crucial role in producing fish seed for future aquaculture programmes.
Officials said the centre will raise brood fish, harvest eggs and rear young fry until they are suitable for transfer into deep-ocean fish cages.
The initiative is expected to support local fish production and reduce dependence on external sources of fish seed.
The project builds upon NIOT’s long-standing scientific work in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The institute has spent more than two decades monitoring oceanographic conditions around the Islands through high-frequency radar systems that track ocean currents and water quality.
Researchers believe this scientific data can support more effective fisheries management and marine resource planning.
The fisheries and artificial reef projects are being implemented in coordination with multiple departments of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, including Fisheries, Forest and Science and Technology.
Officials also announced that a specialised committee is being constituted to incorporate technical inputs from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute into future project planning and implementation.
The event was attended by Pallavi Sarkar along with senior officials from various departments and scientific institutions.
The launch comes at a time when policymakers are increasingly focusing on the Blue Economy as a key driver of sustainable growth.
The concept seeks to balance economic development from marine resources with environmental conservation and long-term ecological sustainability.
For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where fisheries remain an important livelihood sector and marine ecosystems are among the region’s most valuable natural assets, the new initiatives are expected to provide opportunities for both economic development and scientific advancement.
Officials expressed hope that the projects would contribute to sustainable fisheries, improved marine habitat management and stronger resilience among coastal communities in the years ahead.
