Context: The Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states with a total investment of Rs 126 crore under  Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for rejuvenating coastal fisheries.

About Artificial Reefs: 

• They are engineering technology interventions used to rehabilitate and/or improve natural habitats, increase productivity and manage aquatic resources including habitat enhancement (FAO, 2015). 

Advantages of Artificial Reef (AR):

• Similar to natural reefs, ARs are used for aggregating fish and provide a home for fish to live and grow, reduce wave damage on coasts, help regeneration of marine ecosystems and act as a carbon sink. 
• As per CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute), a two to three-fold increase in catch rates and efficiency can be realized. Thus saving fuel and energy costs leading to increased income of fishermen.
• It Provides a firm substrate for marine life such as corals, algae and plankton to attach to and grow.
• They provide favorable conditions for sea ranching and serve as  spawning and nursery grounds for fish.
• Enhance recreational fisheries, snorkeling, eco-tourism, creating suitable areas for diving and reducing conflicts.
• AR structures restrict bottom trawling in the near shore areas thus helping the marine environment to regenerate and small-scale fishers get higher catch
• One AR of 300m3 is expected to support 25-30 non-mechanized boats (CMFRI).

Despite the positives of building artificial reefs, we must preserve natural reefs.

Source: PIB

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