CENTRAL MARINE FISHERIES RESEARCH STATION, MANDAPAM CAMP, S. INDIA

Abstract

THE Central Marine Fisheries Research Station at Mandapam is one of the
recently established Central Institutes of the Government of India under
the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The Institution was started in 1947
with temporary laboratory accommodation provided by the University of
Madras. The headquarters at Mandapam was set up in 1949 when the
buildings constructed originally as a naval hospital by the Defence Department
during World War II, were acquired and converted into laboratories
and temporary residences for the staff. Subsequently an aquarium was built
and circulating sea-water facilities were provided for keeping marine organisms
for study. A capital expenditure of about Rs. 6| lakhs has been
incurred on the Station up to 1952-53. About a hundred acres of land
adjoining the Institute has been acquired for expansion of the Station and
for building permanent residences which will form a small self-contained
colony. About ninety acres of land and the road leading to the site are being
acquired at Mandapam on the Palk Bay side, for setting up an experimental
Marine Fish Farm.