Karnataka Approves Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031

The Karnataka government approved a five-year Marine Biotechnology Policy for 2026-2031 on 18th September, 2026. It aims to turn the state's marine and coastal resources into a hub for marine biotechnology and the Blue Bioeconomy.

Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031: A Five-Year Framework Aim

Karnataka has a 343.3-km coastline, strong marine science and fisheries institutions, a growing biotech sector and skilled scientists. The state now wants to move beyond traditional coastal activities towards high-value areas like biomanufacturing, seaweed-based products and marine biomaterials.

• Growth target: Raise the Blue Bioeconomy from about $2 billion to $6-8 billion by 2031.
• Main goals: Turn marine research into products, strengthen coastal innovation infrastructure, and promote sustainable use of marine resources.
• Jobs: About 2,500 high-value technical jobs and 7,500 coastal enterprise and livelihood opportunities.

Building a Marine Innovation Ecosystem

Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Minister for Home, IT, Biotechnology and E-Governance, said the state can bring together its coastline, marine biodiversity, institutions, and entrepreneurs. The policy will focus on creating products, technologies, companies, and intellectual property and on helping startups move innovations from laboratories to the market.

Key focus areas are seaweed, marine biomaterials, bioprocessing, and sustainable aquaculture, with the health of marine ecosystems at the center. A Marine Bioinnovation and Startup Incubation Centre will support prototyping, pilot testing, and commercialisation.

KIMBE and Marine Biotech Zones

The policy proposes the Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy (KIMBE) as the main institution for research, innovation, and commercialisation. It will have advanced labs for genomics, microbiology, bioinformatics, fermentation, and marine bioprospecting.

Marine Biotechnology Zones will be built with the fisheries department. They will offer shared infrastructure such as fabrication facilities, logistics, testing labs and plug-and-play spaces for industry.

The Seaweed Value Addition-Production Linked Incentive (SVA-PLI) will encourage products made from seaweed, including nutraceuticals, biofertilisers, bioplastics and biofuels.

Blue Carbon Certification Programme

Karnataka will launch a pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme. It will scientifically measure, certify, and recognise the carbon absorbed through seaweed cultivation and other eligible coastal ecosystems.

Rs 120 Crore Five-Year Budget

The policy has a proposed budget of Rs 120 crore over five years. It covers KIMBE, the Marine Biotechnology Zones, the SVA-PLI, and the pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme.

The plan builds on existing institutions such as the College of Fisheries in Mangaluru, Karnataka University in Dharwad, and NITTE. Marine resources will be explored for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biodegradable plastics, and other industries, linking the state's research with startups, investors, and global markets.