Fisheries Department begins deploying artificial reefs along Nagapattinam coast

Work in progress to install artificial reefs at one of the 29 selected spots from a boat off the Nagapattinam district coast on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Workers unloading an artificial reef structure from a boat off the Nagapattinam district coast on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Fisheries Department on Thursday started installing artificial reefs at 39 locations along the coastline in two fishing villages in Nagapattinam district to promote marine life and boost fish production.

The project has been taken up under the Union Government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and is being implemented with the support of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

The reefs are being installed at 29 locations in Nagore and 13 at Samanthanpettai villages along the district coast at a cost of ₹12.09 crore. An artificial reef is a sheltered human-built structure, placed on the seabed as a substitute for natural habitats. With a scientific design, it functions as a self-sustaining production system on the seabed.

Coral reefs, both natural and artificial, play a pivotal role in preserving marine ecosystems by supporting breeding of fish. Over time, sea moss accumulates on the artificial reef structures, mimicking natural habitats where fish can lay eggs, thereby boosting marine biodiversity.

In areas with a generally featureless bottom, artificial reefs are used to promote marine life. Many marine aquatic species will thrive with the installation of the artificial reefs, the Fisheries department said. The project would help fishers get better catch and improve their livelihood.

The reefs designed in various shapes — triangular, well ring and grouper modules — will be deployed about five nautical miles from the shore. The process of deploying the reef from boats would go on for the next 10-15 days, an official said.

On Thursday, the installation process commenced. N. Gowthaman, Chairman of Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation, Joe K. Kizhakudan, Principal Scientist and Head of Regional Centre of ICAR- CMFRI, Visakhapatnam, R. Sharmila, Joint Director, and G. Jayaraj, Assistant Director, Fisheries, Nagapattinam, were present.