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Green mussel seeds: CMFRI supplies 5 lakh more to fishers in Maharashtra

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The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has supplied an additional five lakh hatchery-produced green mussel seeds to fisherfolk and tribal communities in Maharashtra, taking the total to one million seeds in six months, PIB said on 24 October 2026.

green mussel: Green mussel seed supply by CMFRI to fishers in Maharashtra
Green mussel seed supply by CMFRI to fishers in Maharashtra Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

Where the green mussel seeds come from

The seeds, measuring 2 to 4 millimetres, were produced at CMFRI’s bivalve hatchery at its Vizhinjam Regional Centre in Thiruvananthapuram under a Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) project, the release said. Alongside them, one lakh oyster seeds produced at CMFRI’s Madras Regional Station were also sent to Maharashtra to support oyster farming in the state. CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said the initiative aimed to translate marine fisheries research into livelihood opportunities by promoting sustainable bivalve farming along the Maharashtra coast. The combined push for mussels and oysters is expected to give fisherfolk and tribal families more ways to earn and to encourage science-based coastal aquaculture. CMFRI described the supply as a major research-led achievement for the institute.

Key Facts

  • New supply: 5 lakh green mussel seeds
  • Total in six months: 10 lakh (one million)
  • Also sent: 1 lakh oyster seeds
  • Hatchery: CMFRI Vizhinjam Regional Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Officials trained: 30 from Maharashtra Mangrove Cell

“Bivalve farming is a low-investment, low-operational-cost technology with significant potential to strengthen coastal livelihoods while supporting ecosystem health”

— Dr Grinson George, Director, CMFRI

Training officials for bivalve farming

As part of the project, a CMFRI team led by Principal Scientist Dr M K Anil trained 30 government officials from Maharashtra’s Mangrove Cell in nursery rearing and farming methods for mussels and oysters. Dr Anil said the trained officials are expected to pass on practical knowledge and farming technology to local communities. The Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation in Maharashtra is coordinating farmer participation, linking seed supply and technical guidance with farming activity on the ground. The project is supported by the Union Department of Fisheries. Mussels and oysters are bivalves, shellfish with two hinged shells, and are farmed by hanging or placing seed in suitable coastal waters until they grow to harvest size. Dr Anil said the training covered nursery rearing as well as farming techniques for both mussels and oysters, so that officials can guide farmers through each stage.

Low cost and good for mangroves, says CMFRI

Dr George described bivalve farming as a low-investment, low-operating-cost technology with strong potential to support coastal livelihoods. Once established in suitable areas, he said, mussels and oysters need few external inputs as long as water quality and conditions are favourable, and with proper site selection, monitoring and harvesting the method can provide sustainable income. He added that when linked with mangrove restoration, bivalve farming can help conservation because these filter-feeding animals improve water quality. He called it a promising nature-based approach that combines livelihoods, sustainable aquaculture and coastal ecosystem management. The release did not give expected harvest volumes or incomes for the Maharashtra farmers.

Why It Matters: Shellfish farming gives coastal and tribal families a cheap new income source while helping clean the water around mangroves.

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Source: PIB Thiruvananthapuram, 24 Oct 2026 · ICAR-CMFRI

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