From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Artificial Reef
Why in the News?
20,000 pompano fingerlings were released into the sea off Vizhinjam as part of an artificial reef project aimed at replenishing marine fishery resources and promoting sustainable fishing.
About the Artificial Reef Project in Kerala:
| Details | |
| Objective | • Enhance fish resources along Kerala’s coast. • Support sustainable fishing and improve fishing community livelihoods. |
| Location | • Covers 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram district, from Pozhiyoor to Varkala. |
| Deployment Details | • 6,300 artificial reef units deployed, with 150 units per village. • Reef module types: Triangular (80 units), Floral (35 units), and Fused Pipe (35 units). |
| Implementation | • Implemented by KSCADC (Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation). • Technical support from CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute). |
| Deployment Specifications | • Weight: Each module weighs over one tonne. • Depth: Positioned at 12 to 15 fathoms on the seabed. • Technology: Placed using GPS for precise positioning. |
| Funding | • ₹13.02 crore project cost under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). • ₹302 crore allocated for sustainable fisheries in Kerala. |
| Expected Benefits | • Boosts marine biodiversity. • Increases fish stocks and supports breeding environments. • Promotes sustainable fishing practices. • Enhances livelihoods of local communities. |
| Reef Locations | • 42 locations across 33 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram. |
| Fish Attraction | • Reefs have attracted fish species like tuna, trevally, and mackerel. |
| Future Expansion Plans | • Phase II: Proposed to cover 96 villages in Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Thrissur districts (₹29.76 crore). • Phase III: Proposed to cover 96 villages in northern districts (₹25.82 crore). |
PYQ:[2018] Consider the following statements 1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters. 2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. 3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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