In 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Production will issue new instructions for the regulation of cages and pen culture for marine and brackish water aquaculture species. This initiative seeks to ensure that cage and pen farming activities in the marine environment are carried out in an ecologically sustainable and economically feasible manner. These guidelines aim to improve the production of marine species such as finfish, shellfish and sea urchins by minimizing the environmental impacts of aquaculture activities.

What is Cage and Pen Culture?

Before diving into the particulars of the new guidelines, it is vital to understand what cage culture and pen culture are.

• Cage Culture: Cage culture uses floating or submerged structures made of mesh or netting to raise fish or other aquatic species in open water like oceans, lakes, or rivers. These cages allow water flow while keeping the fish confined. It’s commonly used for species like finfish (salmon, tuna) and shellfish (oysters, mussels).
• Pen Culture: Pen culture includes large walls made of nets or barriers that placed in shallow coastal waters such as estuaries or lagoons. Unlike cages, pens have open bottoms, permitting for natural water flow. This is ideal for those species flourish in more controlled environments, such as brackish water species like shrimp and certain fish.

Both methods aim to utilize natural water resources for large-scale aquaculture, which provides a cost-effective way to fulfill global seafood demand. However, they must be consistently managed to avoid negative environmental impacts, which is where this new guiding principle comes into play.

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Overview of the Guidelines

The guidelines enacted under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005, and the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Rules, 2024 introduce numerous important protocols that must be followed by individuals, organizations, and entrepreneurs involved in marine or brackish water aquaculture. These new regulations are designed to enhance the management of aquaculture systems, ensuring that farming methods comply to the best environmental, ecological, and safety standards. The guidelines outline procedures for:

• Criteria for Application and Approval of Cage/Pen Culture: Applicants, comprising individuals, self-help groups, and organizations must submit a project report detailing infrastructure, technology, economics, and employment possibilities for cage or pen culture. An authorized examination team will evaluate the suitability of the site and recommend registration on the basis of the ecological criteria and compliance with standards.
• Site Selection for Cage or Pen Culture: Choosing the right location is important for the success of marine aquaculture methods. The guidelines highlight feasibility studies using marine geospatial analysis, in which key factors such as water quality, accessibility, and environmental parameters such as salinity, temperature rise, and dissolved oxygen levels. The guidelines highlight several criteria for selecting the ideal location:

1. Water quality: The site should have clean, transparent water free from contaminants.
2. Infrastructure: Proximity to jetties, roads, and markets is essential for smooth operation and transport of fish.
3. Ecological suitability: Areas that avoid direct freshwater runoff and industrial effluents are preferred.

Additionally, the guidelines also recommend avoiding conflicts of interest by choosing locations away from shipping lanes, ports, waste discharge sites, and other crucial infrastructure.

• Cage and Pen Structure: Cage structures should be designed for durability and worker safety, using materials such as high-density polyethylene, wood or galvanized iron. Cages may be square, rectangular, or circular, and should be supported by buoyant collars. Incorporation of multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is encouraged for environmental sustainability and productivity.
• Aquaculture Operations: The guidelines detail numerous key principles for ensuring sustainable aquaculture operations:

1. Seed Selection: Only healthy, pathogen-free seeds from certified hatcheries should be used for stocking the cages or pens.
2. Stocking Density: Careful management of stocking density is recommended to ensure that the fish grow at an optimal rate and that the environment does not become polluted due to overstocking.
3. Feed Management: To mitigate pollution, extruded pellet feed should be used instead of low-value fish, which can lead to excess organic matter in the water.
4. Regular Monitoring: Regular checks on water quality, biodiversity impacts, and the health of the cultured species are crucial for the early detection of any problems.

• Disease Prevention and Treatment: Monitoring fish health is crucial to prevent disease outbursts. Changes in behaviour must be addressed with approved treatments. Antifouling chemicals and pharmacologically active substances are banned due to their environmental impact. Disease management must align with ICAR and other government bodies' guidelines to ensure ecosystem health.
• Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management: Harvesting is another important aspect of aquaculture. The guidelines state that fish should be harvested carefully to avoid injury, especially for marketing live fish. Proper icing and storage techniques should be used immediately after harvesting to maintain quality and prevent spoilage.

In cases, where market demand is inconsistent, periodic cuts may be applied. Fish should be stored at -20 degrees Celsius in cold storage facilities to maintain freshness and improve market value.

• Record Keeping and Compliance: Farmers need to maintain complete records of farm management, documenting every part of the aquaculture process, including seed procurement, water quality parameters, feeding schedules, disease treatments, and harvesting. To ensure compliance with regulations, these records must be available for inspection by authorized personnel.
• Penalties for Violations: The instructions are clear that any unauthorized activity will face serious consequences. If violations are found during the inspection, the inspecting team is authorized to seize, dispose of, or destroy the stock. Fines under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act 2005 will be imposed to ensure accountability.

Conclusion

The 2025 Guidelines for Regulating Cage and Pen Culture provide a clear framework for sustainable and accountable aquaculture. By adhering these regulations, stakeholders can improve the growth of the marine aquaculture sector while protecting the environment. These guidelines ensure effective site selection, species management and disease control, helping to build a booming industry that profits local economies and enhance environmental balance. Ultimately, compliance with these practices will ensure a sustainable future for both aquaculture and marine ecosystems.