Course ManualWinter SchoolonTechnological Advances in Mariculture forProduction Enhancement and Sustainability

Mariculture encompasses the cultivation of many varieties of plants and animal species in a wide range of habitats.The scale of mariculture can range from small-scale, familyrun operations to large-scale, industrial projects.Guidelines that direct mariculture development procedures and related environmental and financial aspects are essential for promoting development of mariculture while ensuring sustainability. Key management tools to be further developed as part of the guidelines and integrated into the approval process are: environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements, monitoring, licensing, siting criteria, and environmental quality standards. Integration and use of these tools in mariculture development should be specified in the guidelines and supported by policy. Sustainable development of small-scale mariculture can be facilitated by increased coordination between national and local authorities, and increased support to local governments by central government. These actions will help to ensure that mariculture activities are appropriate and sustainable. Development can be promoted by strengthening the ability of R & D institutions to act in a concerted fashion guided by governmental policy, as clear regulations and procedures are yet to be formulated. Integration of policy, development of mariculture guidelines and a mariculture development plan are strategies that can help resolve the most fundamental issues that now constrain sustainable mariculture development in India.Though India is not a leading producer in true mariculture we are second in aquaculture production next to China. To date, the Indian experience with mariculture is limited to shrimp, lobsters, mollusc (oysters and mussels), seaweed and finfish (cobia, pompano, sea bass, mullets etc.).The biological feasibility of culturing these species has been demonstrated locally and internationally. In other Asian countries with similar climate and natural endowments, revenues from mariculture production make significant contributions to national economies. Because mariculture development has been slow in India, there is an opportunity to develop sustainable forms of mariculture by learning from experiences in other parts of the world. Even though there is vast scope, recently only India has taken up mariculture technologies to the stake holder level. Due to the success achieved in mariculture, it has been identified as a potential source of production enhancement for high valued species like lobster, seabass, cobia and pompano for which the capture fishery is negligible.