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Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday inaugurated the country’s first-ever open-sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, aiming to boost India’s blue economy.

 

Singh travelled by boat for nearly an hour from Sri Vijaya Puram to North Bay, where he inaugurated the project at around 10.30 am.

 

 

https://twitter.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/2012775831819767819

 

 

A senior official of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) said the pilot initiative involves rearing seabass and cobia in open-sea cages, alongside experimental seaweed cultivation. Seabass and cobia are highly valued, firm, white-fleshed fish prized for their rich flavour.

 

The project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, NIOT and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration, and focuses on cultivating marine finfish and seaweed in natural ocean conditions, combining scientific innovation with livelihood generation.

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Speaking on the occasion, Singh said India’s oceans, like its Himalayan and mainland resources, possess immense and diverse economic potential that has largely remained underexplored for decades.

 

“For nearly 70 years after Independence, ocean resources remained largely underexplored,” Singh noted. He added that since 2014, there has been a fundamental shift recognising that India’s maritime domain offers significant economic opportunities.

 

Around 11 am, Singh visited Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (formerly Ross Island), about 20–30 minutes by boat from Sri Vijaya Puram. He toured historical sites, including the Japanese Bunker, Smritika Museum, and heritage structures such as the Farzand Ali Market, Power House, Bakery, Secretariat, and Gun Point area.

 

A senior official of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) briefed Singh on the proposed development of a national memorial at the island, featuring a museum-cum-interpretation centre, cable car ropeway, laser and sound show, heritage trail, children’s amusement park, and food and lounge facilities.