Inland Aquatic Resources and Aquaculture Division is vested with the responsibility of management and sustainable utilization of inland aquatic resources and the development of environmental assessment and management of inland aquatic habitats in the country.
The division undertake research and development of inland and coastal aquaculture and conservation, management of aquatic resources while conducting sustainable utilization of the resources. Aquaculture research mainly focus on developing economical feasible and underdeveloped commodities such of fin fishes, bivalves, seacuucumbr and seaweeds. Applied research on Fish feed development has been identified as a prime need. Disease management of aquaculture sectors also accounted as a divisional responsibility to serve the sector. New technology development of ornamental fish breeding and rearing and ornamental aquatic plant propagation has been launched by the division. Several community-participated projects are being carried out to transfer the technologies developed to the Industry. The division conducts regular training programmes on culture and breeding of ornamental fish and culture practices of other commodities such as secucumber, seaweeds and oyster for the community. Also division provide advisory services on aquaculture/disease management/ feed preparation for on request. Resource surveys and conservation programs to conserve sensitive ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes and other wetlands are implemented to protect the environment to generate maximum aquatic productivity. IARAD also participates in preparation of EIAs, assessment of EIAs and in preparation of integrated management plans in coastal area