Artificial reef to be placed along Kerala coast

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation today decided to explore the possibility of placing artificial reef along Kerala Coast.

A decision in this regard was taken at the Board meeting of the Corporation chaired by State Fisheries Minister K Babu here, an official release said.

Based on encouraging results got from the pilot project conducted off Vizhinjam Coast, KSCADC will undertake underwater studies before implementing the project statewide, it said.

A total of 300 'RCC Pyramidal modules' and enriching materials were placed underwater off the Vizhinjam coast in July 2012, it said.

The meeting also decided to extend the benefits of Deep Sea fishing scheme to 150 more traditional fishing craft. Already 350 traditional craft were benefited under the scheme where traditional deep sea going craft were being provided with equipment worth Rs 40,000.

Around 650 families will be additionally benefited by the scheme.