ABSTRACT
Mariculture and allied post harvest technologies if scaled up to commercial level with community participation, the coastal productivity and economy can prosper. Intergovernmental cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific Region, where mariculture is technologically advanced, through agencies like NACA can play a key role in the development of mariculture in the country. The development and standardization of commercially viable mariculture activities is the major prerequisite. A focused research and development thrust, technological demonstrations and extension programmes, along with enactment of appropriate legislation and enabling policy framework in marine farming sector can pave the way for India to emerge as one of the major producers of farmed marine fish in the world, in the foreseeable future. The initiation and expansion of mariculture practices can lead to the increased production of sea food and also augment the income generation of the coastal fishermen in the country.
