News: Odisha’s first artificial reef is launched in Chilika to restore aquatic ecosystems.
Why artificial reef is important?
Steps taken by the government
The Union government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana includes plans to introduce artificial reefs in 3,477 coastal villages.
The Blue Economy 2.0 scheme encompasses measures such as the deployment of artificial reefs for both adaptation and mitigation purposes.
Artificial Reefs Across India
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Marine Fisheries Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) conducted the earliest experiments in Lakshadweep and Tuticorin.
Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with ICAR-CMFRI, has deployed artificial reef modules in at least 207 sites. The state’s tidal characteristics are particularly conducive for artificial reefs, and the modules are designed considering local conditions such as sedimentation rates and average tide heights.
Artificial reefs have also been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
The Kerala government announced an ambitious plan to deploy 6,300 artificial reefs across villages near Thiruvananthapuram as part of a larger national initiative.
