The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries approved by the Government in December 2015 inter-alia provides financial assistance for (i) open sea cage culture and (ii) installation of cages/pens in reservoirs and other open water bodies. Under the CSS, the unit cost of open sea cage is fixed at Rs. 5 lakh per cage and having minimum diameter of 6 m and depth of 4 m in case of each circular cage and 96 cubic meter volume (6mx4mx4m) in case of each rectangular cage. Similarly, the unit cost for installation of cages/pens in reservoirs and other open water bodies is fixed at Rs. 3 lakh per cage including installation and inputs for first crop.

The Government of Karnataka reported the installation of 8 marine cages with an expenditure of Rs. 29.9 lakh for Seabass and Cobia culture and a total of 102 cages in reservoir with an expenditure of Rs.81 lakh. Besides, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad has also sanctioned 500 brackish-water cages to the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) for installation in the selected District of Karnataka.

This Information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shrimati Krishna Raj