India's Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute supplies another 500,000 green mussel seed to Maharashtra fishers, bringing six-month total to 1 million
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has supplied an additional 500,000 hatchery-reared green mussel seed to fishers and tribal communities in Maharashtra, bringing cumulative supply over the past six months to 1 million, alongside 100,000 oyster seed and aquaculture technology training.
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has supplied an additional 500,000 hatchery-reared green mussel seed to fishers and tribal communities in Maharashtra, bringing cumulative supply over the past six months to 1 million. The announcement was made on 24 October 2026.
The green mussel seed, sized 2 to 4 mm, was produced at the bivalve hatchery at CMFRI's Vizhinjam Regional Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). In addition, CMFRI supplied Maharashtra with 100,000 oyster seed produced at its Madras Regional Station to promote oyster farming.
CMFRI Director Grinson George said the programme aims to translate marine fisheries research into livelihood opportunities and advance sustainable bivalve farming along the Maharashtra coast. He said bivalve farming is a low-input, low-operating-cost technology that helps maintain ecosystem health while strengthening the livelihoods of coastal communities. He also said that once mussels and oysters settle at suitable sites, they require minimal external inputs as long as water quality and environmental conditions remain good; proper site selection, monitoring and harvesting practices help make bivalve farming a sustainable livelihood option, particularly for communities in coastal and mangrove areas.
On technical training, a scientific team led by Principal Scientist M.K. Anil provided training in seed production and farming technology for mussels and oysters to 30 government officials from Maharashtra's Mangrove Department.
The Maharashtra Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation coordinates the participation of farmers and links seed supply and technical guidance with farming activities. The project is supported by the Union Ministry of Fisheries.
According to CMFRI, these initiatives are intended to broaden livelihood sources for fishers and tribal communities and encourage science-based coastal aquaculture practices.