Kochi | The ICAR-CMFRI has supplied another five lakh hatchery-produced green mussel seeds to fisherfolk and tribal communities in Maharashtra, taking the total supply to 10 lakh seeds in the past six months, the institute said on Saturday.

In a statement, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Director Grinson George said the initiative aimed to promote sustainable bivalve farming along the Maharashtra coast and create livelihood opportunities for coastal communities by translating marine fisheries research into practical applications.

The seeds, measuring 2-4 millimetres, were produced at the bivalve hatchery of CMFRI's Vizhinjam Regional Centre in Thiruvananthapuram under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) of the Union Department of Fisheries, the institute said.

Separately, one lakh oyster seeds produced at CMFRI's Madras Regional Station were supplied to Maharashtra to promote oyster farming in the state, it said.

"The combined promotion of green mussel and oyster farming is expected to diversify livelihood opportunities for fisherfolk and tribal communities while encouraging science-based coastal aquaculture practices," CMFRI said.

As part of the initiative, a CMFRI team led by Principal Scientist M K Anil trained 30 officials of Maharashtra's Mangrove Cell in nursery rearing and farming techniques for mussels and oysters. The trained officials are expected to transfer the technologies and practical knowledge to local communities, Anil said.

The Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation in Maharashtra is coordinating the participation of farmers and linking seed supply and technical guidance with farming activities, the institute said.

George said bivalve farming required relatively low investment and operating costs and had considerable potential to strengthen coastal livelihoods while supporting ecosystem health. He said mussels and oysters required minimal external inputs once established in suitable locations, provided water quality and environmental conditions remained favourable.

Integrating bivalve farming with mangrove restoration could aid conservation, as bivalves are filter feeders that help improve water quality, he added.