Mapping of potential sea-cage farming sites throughspatial modelling: Preliminary operative suggestionsto aid sustainable mariculture expansion in India

Abstract

Sea cage farming in marine open waters is considered as the most viable technique in Indianmariculture to enhance production. Owing to the support of the government in researchand development, and policy initiatives, marine cage farming is progressing steadily in thecountry. Technological guidance from research institutions and financing under the ambitious“Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” and blue growth mission objectives haveinspired stakeholders and fisheries administrators in maritime states to explore open seacage culture. Site selection is a key parameter affecting the success of cage culture systemsand, technically analysed geo-referenced demarcation of spatial information is necessaryfor minimising the risks. Thus, in the light of rising demand for spatial allocation of coastalareas, the present study identifies and aggregates locations within 3 km of the coastline,that have the potential for sea cage farming operations in the country. The site suitabilitywas examined based on optimal standards required for the prospective candidate speciesselected for mariculture in India. The locations were vectorised in a GIS platform, and thepotential areas available for sea cage installations were demarcated. An optimised sitesuitability schema was developed for the spatial demarcation of potential site selection.The preliminary results identified 134 sites covering a total area of 46,823.2 ha suitablefor marine cage culture along Indian territorial waters. Among the coastal states, the topthree states holding the maximum area suitable for sea cage farming are Andhra Pradesh(11,792 ha), Gujarat (11,572.2 ha) and Tamil Nadu (7,673 ha). It is envisaged that spatialsuitability demarcation even on this pilot scale will accelerate the expansion of sea cagefarming in the country. Keywords:GIS Mapping,  Mariculture, PMMSY, Sea cage farming, Site suitability, Spatial planning