Draft policy on mariculture moots GM species in closed systems

A draft national policy on mariculture formulated to ensure sustainable farmed seafood production for the benefit of food and nutritional security of the nation has suggested farming of genetically modified (GM) species in closed mariculture systems.

The draft National Policy on Mariculture (NPM) 2018 also seeks to provide additional livelihood options to the coastal communities for a better living.

"...the policy allows farming exotic and genetically modified species in closed mariculture systems after stringent risk assessment and monitoring," the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) said here Thursday.

The draft NPM had been formulated by an expert committee set up by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) with CMFRI Director Dr A Gopalakrishnan as chairman.

In order to address the seed scarcity, innovative schemes will be developed for the setting up of hatcheries, seed farms, rearing units and specific pathogen free (SPF) or genetically improved brood banks.

Ensuring availability of seed material for the targeted mariculture species was critical to sustain the momentum of proposed expansion of mariculture sector in the country, it said