Field visit to fish landing sites and seaweed farming sites at Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu

    A field visit cum interaction with the fishermen/farmers was carried out at three locations (1. Mandapam fish landing centre, 2. Rameshwaram fish landing centre and 3. Seaweed culture site at Mandapam) in Ramanathapuram on 9 February 2025. The field visits were focused to monitor the fishing activities and seaweed culture in the selected locations. A total of 70 trawlers landed the fish catch on the day of observation. The major fish landings observed were shrimps, cephalopods, carangids, silver bellies, sardines, snappers, groupers, etc. The major concerns in fishing are decline in fish catch, conflicts between Indian and Sri Lankan fishers, weather aberrations, climate change, debris management, pollution and legal restrictions. About 30% of the total catch landed were bycatch consisting of juvenile fish stocks and they are marketed for making animal/fish feeds. The major catch is marketed in fresh and iced conditions. The raft culture (10 ft by 10 ft) of seaweed is practiced at Mandapam by the fishermen and women self-help-groups under the scientific guidance from ICAR-CMFRI, Mandapam. The farming follows monoculture of Kappaphycus alvarezi for a period of four to five months and the produce is dried and marketed to the seaweed processing companies. Currently, the availability of good quality seed is the major constraint in the seaweed farming sector. The farmers also explored the possibility of using the seaweed in preparation of animal feed. They assured continued support for the research and development activities of the institute. Dr Sreekanth GB, Senior Scientist (FRM), ICAR-CCARI assured the fishermen all the required support from the institute for the coastal agriculture and fisheries activities.