Centre eyes developing sustainable seaweed economy: Fisheries Secretary

CMFRI asked to set up seed bank to popularise practice along country’s coastal region

The Union government is looking to develop a sustainable economy through seaweed cultivation, Fisheries Secretary Jatindra Nath Swain has said. As climate change was posing a major threat to human life, cultivating seaweed would help boost the economy and reduce the impact of climate crisis, he added.

He was speaking at an interactive meeting with scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) held at its headquarters in Kochi. As an additional livelihood option, seaweed farming would play a major role in the socio-economic upliftment of traditional fishermen during such difficult times, he said.

A CMFRI communication said the Union government official asked the research institute to set up a seed bank for seaweeds to popularise the practice along the country’s coastal region.