**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding concerns about the potential invasiveness of aquaculture species, particularly red algae, promoted under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The response addresses the government's awareness of the issue, studies conducted, and measures taken to ensure sustainable aquaculture. The question was scheduled to be answered on February 3rd, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PMMSY Overview:**
* The PMMSY, initiated in 2020-21, is a flagship scheme with an investment of ₹20,050 crore for implementation across all States/Union Territories until 2024-25.
* It promotes seaweed cultivation to improve economic activity, cultivation practices, infrastructure, and research, optimizing the value chain in the seaweed trade.
* Projects worth ₹198.17 crore have been approved for seaweed projects.
* **Invasiveness Concerns & Studies:**
* Studies by Institutes such as NCSCM, CSMCRI, and CMFRI have found no negative impact on marine biodiversity or invasive characteristics reported for red algae species like Gracilaria edulis and Kappaphycus alvarezii.
* The Government of Tamil Nadu has reported that commercial cultivation of Kappaphycus, which started from 2005, shows no invasiveness.
* As a precautionary measure, Kappaphycus is not allowed for cultivation in the Gulf of Mannar region since 2005.
* **Regulation & Mitigation:**
* The National Committee on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species into Indian waters reviews the introduction of exotic aquatic species and develops guidelines.
* The committee approves the introduction of new species and develops import protocols based on risk assessments.
* The Department of Fisheries promotes species diversification and notified guidelines for the import of live seaweeds, including quarantine procedures and risk assessment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Department of Fisheries, Government of India**
* **Impact:** Responsible for promoting and regulating seaweed cultivation under PMMSY. They are required to promote species diversification and ensure sustainable practices.
* **Action Required:** Continue promoting species diversification and the PMMSY scheme. Ensure adherence to the "Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds" to promote sustainability.
**Stakeholder: State Governments / Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Implementing the PMMSY scheme and managing seaweed cultivation activities within their jurisdictions.
* **Action Required:** Implement PMMSY guidelines and ensure that the cultivation of Kappaphycus is not done in the Gulf of Mannar region.
**Stakeholder: Seaweed Farmers/Aquaculture Industry**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of the PMMSY scheme, with opportunities for economic growth through seaweed cultivation. Subject to regulations regarding species selection and cultivation practices.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to guidelines and regulations set forth by the Department of Fisheries and the National Committee regarding species selection and cultivation practices, as well as import requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Flagship scheme for fisheries development with substantial investment, promoting seaweed cultivation as an economic activity.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The primary ministry responsible for implementing the PMMSY scheme and addressing the issues raised in the question.
National Committee on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species into Indian waters: Committee responsible for regulating the introduction of non-native aquatic species, assessing the pros and cons, and developing guidelines.
Tamil Nadu: Location relevant due to its history with Kappaphycus cultivation and subsequent restrictions in the Gulf of Mannar.
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI): Institute that has studied seaweed cultivation and its impact on biodiversity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 515
TO BE ANSWERED ON 3rd February 2026
Aquaculture Species
515. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi :
Will the MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of reports indicating that certain aquaculture
species like red algae promoted under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY) are invasive, and their proliferation threatens marine ecosystems, including
coral reefs;
(b) if so, the details of such invasive species, their impact on coral reefs and local
marine biodiversity;
(c) whether any study or evidence the Government has considered before promoting
these species;
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to mitigate the environmental impact of
such invasive species and ensure that aquaculture under the PMMSY is sustainable; and
(e) whether the Government has any proposals to issue revised guidelines or fixed
strict criteria for species selection under PMMSY and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying Government of India in the year 2020-21 has rolled out a flagship scheme the
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with highest ever investment of Rs.
20,050 crores in the fisheries sector for implementation during a period of five years i.e.,
2020-21 to 2024-25, in all States/Union Territories. Under PMMSY, seaweed cultivation is
promoted as an income-generating economic activity. The support is directed to improve
the cultivation practices, infrastructure, awareness, training, research in this sector and to
optimize the value chain in the Seaweed trade. Department of Fisheries, Government of
India, under PMMSY has approved the seaweed projects worth ₹198.17 crore for
installation Rafts, monolines/ tubenets, establishment of a Multipurpose Seaweed Park,
Seaweed Seed bank, Seaweed Hatchery, Pre-feasibility Assessment study projects on
seaweed farming, training and capacity building programs in various States and Union
Territories. Besides, Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries
Research Institute (CMFRI) has been designated as a Centre of Excellence for seaweed
development and Lakshadweep Islands has been designated as a Seaweed Cluster.As per the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog report on Strategy for
the Development of Seaweed Value Chain, Institutes such as National Centre for
Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research
Institute (CSMCRI) and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have studied
and documented impact of seaweed cultivation on biodiversity including coral reefs. Their
findings indicate no negative impact on marine biodiversity and no invasive characteristics
reported for red algae species such as Gracilaria edulis and Kappaphycus alvarezii. in the
marine ecosystem. The Government of Tamil Nadu has also inter alia reported that
commercial cultivation of Kappaphycus was started from 2005, and there was no
invasiveness seen as apprehended. However, as a precautionary measure, vide G.O.
(MS) No.229, Environment and Forests (EC-3) Department, dated 20.12.2005 the
Kappaphycus has not allowed for cultivation in Gulf of Mannar region.
(d) and (e) To regulate introduction of non-native species, Government of India have
constituted the National Committee on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species into Indian
waters that inter alia review and assess the pros and cons of introduction of exotic aquatic
species including seaweeds into the Country and also develop guidelines/code of ethics
for future introductions. The committee is also responsible for approving the introduction
of new species and developing import protocols based on comprehensive risk
assessments to minimize potential ecological and economic impacts. The Department of
Fisheries, Government of India, under PMMSY promotes species diversification including
seaweed through new candidate species having high production and market potential.
Further, to promote sustainable seaweed cultivation under PMMSY, the Department of
Fisheries, Government of India, has notified the ‘Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds
into India’ allowing the import of high-quality seed materials. The guidelines outline a
process for importing live seaweed, ensuring transparency and accountability, strict
quarantine procedures to prevent introduction of pests and diseases, risk assessment to
identify potential biosecurity concerns and post-import monitoring for strengthening
ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.
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