Ramanathapuram Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture

Activities of the centre

Projects in operation:

Sl.No	Title of the Project	Budget and Funding Agency	Year of Operation
1	Experimental Culture of Green Tiger Shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus in Open Sea Floating Cages at Mandapam Region of Tamil Nadu	6.65 Lakhs- Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India, New Delhi	2024
2	All India Network Project on Ornamental Fish Breeding and Culture	26.0 Lakhs – ICAR – Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi	2024

Project operated:

Sl.No	Title of the Project	Budget and Funding Agency	Year of Operation	Accomplishments
1	Establishment of Marine Finfish Hatchery System at Mandapam	184.5 lakhs NADP	2014-2017	The NADP marine finfish hatchery project at Mandapam strengthened coastal aquaculture by producing and distributing over 7,000 quality fingerlings, supporting pilot farms, and training 140 beneficiaries. It established a scalable model for sustainable, science-based mariculture in Ramanathapuram.
2	Open Sea Cage Farming of Marine Finfishes along the Coast of Ramanathapuram Dt. of Tamil Nadu	276.0lakhs - NFDB	2018-2021	The NFDB-funded open sea cage culture project in Ramanathapuram supported 50 fishermen with HDPE cages, quality fish seed, and technical assistance to promote sustainable marine aquaculture. Over 1,800 kg of high-value species like Pompano and Cobia were harvested, demonstrating strong livelihood impact. Infrastructure upgrades and Aadhaar-linked beneficiary tracking ensured efficient, transparent implementation and long-term viability.
3	Development and Transfer of Seaweed Farming Technology as an Alternate Livelihood option for the Coastal Fisherfolk of Mandapam region of Tamil Nadu	251.1 lakhs –NADP	2019-2023	The NADP-funded seaweed farming project in Mandapam supported 92 coastal farmers by advancing Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivation through targeted research, seed standardization via micropropagation, and pilot-scale infrastructure development. Scientific studies on seaweed extracts further explored value-added applications, promoting seaweed farming as a viable, sustainable livelihood option for coastal communities.
4	Upgrading Sustainable Aquaculture Production Centres of TNJFU for operation through Private-Public Partnership for Integrated Agriculture Development	85.0 lakhs – NADP	2020-2023	The project was instrumental in standardization of nursery rearing of the Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) and Silver Pompano (Trachinotus blochii). Essential infrastructure for strengthening the marine finfish breeding like outdoor microalgal scale-up tanks and larval rearing units were added to the Centre. One hundred and two beneficiaries were trained on nursery rearing of Asian seabass in this project.
5	Evaluation of three microalgae (Nannochloropsisoculata, Dunaliella salina and Tetraselmisgracilis) for their efficiency in the bio-enrichment of rotifers for use in aqua hatcheries	2.0 lakhs - TNJFU	2022-2024	The study evaluated three microalgae species for rotifer bio-enrichment in hatcheries and found that N. oculata and T. gracilis supported faster growth and higher EFA accumulation, improving larval nutrition. Despite variations in nutrient transfer efficiency, all species enhanced rotifer quality and positively impacted Asian seabass larval growth and survival, supporting their use in hatchery feed administration.
6	Impact of Good Aquaculture Practices on Production and Shrimp Quality	4.0 lakhs – Shrimp Welfare Project	2023-2024	The study on Good Aquaculture Practices (GAPs) in shrimp farming revealed that lower stocking densities improved growth, survival, and nutritional quality especially protein and omega-3 content. These findings highlight the benefits of optimal stocking for sustainable production, better farm profitability, and improved consumer acceptability.
7	Development of Seaweed Farming Opportunities in the Ramanathapuram Dt. of Tamil Nadu through establishment of Start-ups for the distribution of inputs	50.0 lakhs - NCDC	2023-2025	The NCDC project on seaweed farming in Mandapam enhanced coastal livelihoods by undertaking focussed research on micropropagation of the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii and establishment of pilot infrastructure for seaweed culture. Research on seaweed extracts opened avenues for value-added products, reinforcing seaweed farming as a sustainable alternative income source.

Extension services offered:

Extension Services such as Establishment of coastal and open sea cage farms, Clownfish breeding and seed production, Raft and Monoline culture of seaweeds, Marine microalgae, Rotifer, Copepod scale-up and Artemia biomass production, Nursery rearing of Asian seabass, Establishment of small scale/backyard hatcheries for sizing marine ornamentals and nursery rearing of Asian seabass.

Training programmes offered:

The training programmes on Value addition in seaweeds, Live feed culture for mariculture applications, Nursery rearing of Asian seabass in earthen ponds, Cage culture of Asian seabass in open sea cages are offered on demand or in a routine manner.

Students research/ internship:

TNJFU University Students
k) No. of Students Research conducted	-	2
i) No. of Internship programmes conducted	-	Nil

Other Campus Students
i) No. of Students Research conducted	-	Nil
j) No. of Internship programmes conducted	-	3

Success Stories:

Sl. No	Name and Addresses/ Contact details of the Beneficiary	Type of Activity	TNJFU intervention	Dr. Imran Khan, JM Aqua Star Farm
1	Dr. Imran Khan, Manjakudi, Kottaipattinam, Pudukottai Dt. Mobile no. 9842502115	Shrimp Culture	Technical guidance on aquamimicry based shrimp farming - M/s JM Aqua Star Farm, Shrimp farm.
2	Mr. Nagadas, Vedhalai, Ramanathapuram Dt.	Cage Culture	Technical guidance on lobster fattening in open sea cages and cage maintenance