Oysters are also cultivated for the pearls they produce, adding to their economic value beyond just being a food source.

The practice is called mariculture, where marine organisms are cultivated in controlled environments in seawater.

As marine fish stocks become further depleted, the demand for seafood continues to rise. Mariculture offers a sustainable solution to meet this demand by cultivating fish and other marine organisms in controlled environments, reducing pressure on wild fish populations.

Examples include finned fishes like mullets, bhetki, and pearl spots, as well as shellfish such as prawns, mussels, and oysters, along with seaweed.

India benefits from a vast coastline spanning approximately 7500 km, providing access to diverse marine ecosystems along with the deep seas beyond, which support a rich variety of fish species.