Bivalve mariculture in India – progress in research and development

We are all aware that with an average growth rate of 6.9% per annum, aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world (FAO, 2009) and now accounts for nearly half of the global fish production. Given the projected population growth over the next two decades, it is estimated that at least an additional 40 million tonnes of aquatic food will be required by 2030 to maintain the current per capita consumption. Among the Asian countries, India ranks second in aquaculture and third in capture fisheries production and is one of the leading nations in marine products export