Vizhinjam (Kerala), 22 October 2026 – The Vizhinja Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi, has launched a scientifically designed open-sea mussel longline farming unit at Vizhinjam, a step towards promoting sustainable shellfish aquaculture and strengthening coastal livelihoods.
The unit is part of the PMMSY-funded project “Development of Pilot-Scale Open-Sea Eco-Mussel Farms in India – A Blue Growth Project.” It was formally launched by Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, in the presence of CMFRI scientists, representatives of the Vizhinjam Mungal Thozhilali Kshema Sangom and members of the local fishing community.
The system has 20 HDPE floats of 300 litres each, supporting two parallel mainlines and 120 vertical mussel-growing ropes of three metres each, about 360 metres of cultivation length in all. At an estimated 8-12 kg per metre, it could yield approximately 3-4 tonnes of mussels per crop, depending on survival, growth conditions and farm management.
The demonstration farm will assess the technical and economic feasibility of open-sea mussel farming in Kerala’s coastal conditions.
The project has also established a multi-species hatchery at Vizhinjam, capable of producing millions of mussel, oyster and clam seed. It is expected to reduce dependence on seasonally available wild seed. Dr Tharoor visited the hatchery and interacted with scientists on shellfish breeding and seed production.
Implemented with the Vizhinjam Mungal Thozhilali Kshema Sangom, the project combines the traditional knowledge of local mussel harvesters with modern farming methods, and is expected to create new aquaculture-based livelihoods and strengthen India’s Blue Economy.
(Source: ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi)