Drones to artificial reefs: Fisheries sector set for big leap

Sneha RichhariyaTribune News Service

New Delhi, September 26

Fish farmers of the future may not row boats to feed their stock — they might send drones. At Bharat Mandapam here, the Department of Fisheries’ Fish Tech Pavilion — part of the ongoing World Food India 2025 show — is presenting new fisheries technology, including how drones could transform the key blue economy sector.

From the use of drones that can drop fish feed across reservoirs to designing concrete structures that can mimic coral ecosystems, the exhibits are all about new approaches to aquaculture.

The fish tech pavilion was inaugurated here by Minister of State for Fisheries SP Singh Baghel in the presence of Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary at the department.

Among the technologies on display are drone-based feeding and transport, which is being tested for direct delivery of live or fresh fish to markets.

Drones are also being developed to replace diesel-powered boats in cage culture farming, reducing trips for feed distribution by delivering it directly to enclosures.

The Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and Biofloc methods were also part of the display. RAS recycles pond water through filters to maintain stable conditions for fish, while Biofloc uses microbes to process waste and maintain water quality. Initial investment for these systems ranges between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, and more than 17,000 units have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, said an official from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).

Aquaponics was displayed as an integrated method where water from fish tanks supports plant growth. Cage culture was presented as a technique for cultivating fish in enclosures placed in reservoirs or seas.

The exhibition also included seaweed cultivation, which is being promoted in coastal areas, including Lakshadweep, with a harvest cycle of about 45 days. Besides, models demonstrated how concrete structures placed underwater provide breeding grounds for marine species.

The Department of Fisheries and the Indian Space Research Organisation are jointly piloting satellite-based vessel monitoring systems. Transponders installed on boats enable two-way communication between fishers operating 200 to 300 km offshore and the mainland, providing safety and real-time alerts.

Officials said many of these technologies were already in use, but lack of awareness was an issue. "Exhibitions like this help us spread the word,” said an official from the NFDB.