CMFRI starts open sea mussel farming unit at Vizhinjam

Open sea longline mussel farming unit. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) at Vizhinjam has started its first full-scale longline open sea mussel farming unit here.

The initiative – supported by the Government of India’s Department of Fisheries under the ‘Development of Pilot Offshore Farms in India: Blue Growth Project’ – is aimed at developing sustainable mussel farming technologies and creating additional livelihood opportunities for coastal fishing communities.

Longline Mussel Farming System | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Shashi Tharoor, MP launched the project on Wednesday in Vizhinjam. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local “Vizhinjam Mungal Thozhilali Kshema Sango”.

ICAR-CMFRI’s Vizhinjam Regional Center said it has developed advanced mussel hatchery and micro-nursery technologies to enable large-scale mussel seed production and reduce dependence on natural seed sources.

Shashi Tharoor, MP launches open sea mussel farming unit in Vizhinjam on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The project is being launched in Vizhinjam after successful preliminary farm trials along the Kanyakumari coast. Based on these results, the Vizhinjam unit comprises 20 specially designed 300-litre HDPE floats, a parallel main line, suspended mussel culture ropes and an anchor system.

The demonstration will assess mussel growth, production potential and economic viability under local open sea conditions with the active participation of the traditional diving community, ICAR-CMFRI officials said.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 23:18 IST