Union Minister of State Shri George Kurian, Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Puducherry attend MoU exchange ceremony between ICAR-CMFRI and Puducherry Govt

Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with Thiru K. Kailashnathan, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and Thiru N. Rangasamy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Puducherry graced the occasion of MoU exchanges between ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi and Puducherry Government during two separate events held in Karaikkal and Puducherry on 16 th April 2025.

Two MoUs were signed between ICAR-CMFRI and Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Puducherry to undertake a pilot study for commercially important marine finfish farming in sea cages, integrated with seaweed cultivation.

According to this agreement, 16 HDPE seaweed rafts will be integrated with one 6-meter diameter HDPE sea cage at four locations: Pudukuppam, Pannaithittu, Karukkala Cherry and Pattinacheri in Puducherry Union Territory.

The MoUs were signed by Dr. Grinson George, Director of CMFRI and A. Muhammed Ismail, Director of Fisheries, Puducherry. The exchange of MoUs took place in two locations—Karaikal and Puducherry.

This initiative aims to enhance livelihood opportunities for coastal communities, promote sustainable mariculture practices and strengthen the country’s blue economy. ICAR-CMFRI will implement the project, ensuring the best practices in cage fish farming and seaweed cultivation. The pilot project is expected to serve as a model for climate-resilient mariculture in coastal region.

Thiru R Selvam, Hon’ble Speaker of Puducherry, Thiru K Lakshminarayanan, Fisheries Minister of Puducherry, Thiru C Djeacoumar, Agriculture Minister of Puducherry and Thiru S Selvaganabathy, Member of Parliament (Rajyasabha) were present. Senior officials from the Government of Puducherry and scientists from ICAR-CMFRI also attended the function.