Mariculture students remark on algae being cultured to feed young oysters raised in the Institute's "wet lab" where physiology and nutritional experiments are conducted. - - Mariculture Research and Production. Marine fishery is an important natural resource for maritime developing countries. Rational exploitation of this resource and development of coastal aquaculture can provide cheap protein food to hungry millions and create valuable employment opportunities. To help Indian fisher folk earn more income, a mariculture or "sea farming" centre for advanced studies has been established at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Cochin, with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Activities include academic courses in marine biology and cytogenics, coastal hydrology and aquaculture and international training programmes. Significant achievements have been made in marine-prawn hatchery and pond-breeding techniques, including domesticating the important Indian white prawn. Experimental field laboratories aid students and various extension programmes including a trainer's training centre and a farm science centre to transfer new technology in marine fishery and prawn farming to local farmers.