In a joint initiative, the Puducherry government and the Central Marine Fisheries Institute (CMFRI) in Visakhapatnam plan to install artificial reefs along the Union Territory’s coastline. The project, executed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), aims to promote fish breeding and improve the livelihoods of traditional fishermen. Artificial reefs are human-built structures designed to replicate natural habitats, providing a self-sustaining production system on the seabed.
The estimated cost for erecting 14 artificial reefs along the Puducherry coastline this year is ₹4.34 crore, with each reef costing ₹31 lakh. The entire project will be fully funded by the Centre, as outlined in the PMMSY. The plan includes an additional 25 reefs next year, with the possibility of further extension based on the Union Territory’s requirements.
Joe K. Kizhakudan, principal scientist and Head of CMFRI, Vishakapatnam, highlighted the success of artificial reef experiments in various states, including the completion of 131 reefs in Tamil Nadu over the last 15 years. He emphasized that this ecosystem-building model, used globally in countries such as France, Italy, Japan, and the U.S., creates a natural prevention of ground flow, offering shelter for invertebrates and small larvae to aggregate.
Stakeholder workshops were conducted by a team led by Mr. Kizhakudan in coastal hamlets, educating fishermen about the potential benefits of artificial reefs. The deployment sites will be identified by the Puducherry government and CMFRI, with different models erected based on the local ground and habitat conditions. The reefs will be placed at specified locations, five nautical miles from the shore and in the wave-breaking zone.
The submerged artificial reefs, anchored for stability, are expected to attract marine flora and various fish species, benefiting small-scale fishers with increased fish availability at lower operation costs. Over 300 species can coexist in a settled artificial reef habitat, including commercial varieties such as breams, groupers, snappers, perches, cobia, sea bass, rabbit fish, silver biddies, seer fish, barracuda, mackerel, trevallies, and queen fish.
