The state government has identified 56 places on the Karnataka coast to develop artificial reefs to promote marine life. The project will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 17.3 crore by the central and state governments under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana along the coast of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) has been appointed as the implementing agency and work will be started soon, said MLC K Harish Kumar.
He said minister of fisheries, ports and inland water transport Mankal S Vaidya, in his reply at the legislative session being held in Belagavi, has informed that official meetings have already been held by the stakeholders along with the scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) to discuss the project. “The stakeholders have already finalised the estimates to develop artificial reefs at 56 places in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada districts. The CMFRI has conducted studies on the advantages, pros and cons of artificial reefs. Tamil Nadu has been using the technology on the coast for the past several years,” the MLC said quoting the minister.
Kumar said that artificial reefs will prevent harmful fishing methods like gillnet trawling. Also, it is scientifically proven that the method enhances fish breeding. Hence, community-based meetings have been held by the stakeholders in all three coastal districts and awareness has been created among fishermen on the advantages of artificial reefs that will promote the conservation of fish species, he said.
Of the Rs 17.3 crore for the project, the state government will be sanctioning Rs 6.9 crore and Rs 10.4 crore will be released by the central government, he said, adding that the work is expected to begin at the earliest.