CMFRI Supplies One Million Green Mussel Seeds to Maharashtra Coastal Communities

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has supplied an additional five lakh hatchery-produced green mussel seeds to fisher-folk and tribal communities in Maharashtra. This latest distribution brings the cumulative supply of green mussel seeds to one million over the past six months.

According to CMFRI Director Grinson George, the initiative aims to translate marine fisheries research into practical livelihood opportunities by promoting sustainable bivalve farming along the Maharashtra coast.

The green mussel seeds, measuring between 2 to 4 mm, were produced at CMFRI’s bivalve hatchery located at its Vizhinjam Regional Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). In addition to the mussel seeds, one lakh oyster seeds produced at the institute’s Madras Regional Station were also supplied to Maharashtra to encourage local oyster farming.

This combined initiative is expected to diversify livelihood options for fisher-folk and tribal populations while simultaneously encouraging science-based coastal aquaculture practices in the region.

To support adoption on the ground, a scientific team led by Principal Scientist M.K. Anil trained 30 government officials from Maharashtra’s Mangrove Cell in essential nursery rearing and farming techniques for both mussels and oysters.

The project is supported by the Union Department of Fisheries. Meanwhile, the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation in Maharashtra is coordinating farmer participation, effectively linking seed supply and technical guidance with active farming operations.

Highlighting the operational viability of the initiative, CMFRI Director Grinson George noted that bivalve farming is a low-investment, low-operational-cost technology with significant potential to strengthen coastal livelihoods while supporting ecosystem health.

Once established in suitable locations, mussels and oysters require minimal external inputs, provided that water quality and environmental conditions remain favourable. Proper site selection, systematic monitoring, and careful harvesting practices are essential to making bivalve farming a sustainable livelihood option, particularly for communities residing in coastal and mangrove regions.

"This institutional initiative highlights the importance of translating scientific research into practical economic opportunities at the grassroots level. By introducing low-investment, sustainable aquaculture practices like bivalve farming backed by proper training and institutional coordination, regional stakeholders can build resilient rural livelihoods. Such science-backed agricultural and marine ventures hold strong potential for localized economic development." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes