Policy targets growth of Karnataka’s Blue Bioeconomy from $2 billion to $6–8 billion by 2031

The Government of Karnataka has approved the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031, a five-year framework aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the State’s marine and coastal resources and positioning Karnataka as a leading hub for Marine Biotechnology and the Blue Bioeconomy. With a 343.3-km coastline, established marine science and fisheries institutions, a growing biotechnology ecosystem and a strong base of scientific talent, Karnataka seeks to move beyond traditional coastal activities towards high-value applications in marine biotechnology, biomanufacturing, seaweed-based products, marine biomaterials and sustainable marine enterprises. The policy aims to grow Karnataka’s Blue Bioeconomy from approximately $2 billion to $6–8 billion by 2031, while helping the State secure a larger share of India’s emerging Blue Bioeconomy opportunity. It will focus on translating marine science and research into commercial applications, strengthening coastal innovation infrastructure, creating new enterprise and employment opportunities, and promoting sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and EGovernance, Government of Karnataka, said “Karnataka has a significant opportunity to build a high-value Blue Bioeconomy by bringing together our coastline, marine biodiversity, scientific institutions, biotechnology ecosystem and entrepreneurial talent. We have already begun building the foundations for this through our work in aquamarine innovation, and the Marine Biotechnology Policy takes that effort to the next level.”

“Our objective is to move from simply recognising the potential of our marine resources to creating products, technologies, companies and intellectual property around them. This means strengthening research infrastructure, enabling startups and industry to take innovations from the laboratory to the market, and creating value in areas such as seaweed, marine biomaterials, bioprocessing and sustainable aquaculture. At the same time, growth must remain responsible and rooted in the sustainability of our marine ecosystems. With this policy, Karnataka is creating an ecosystem where science, enterprise and the Blue Economy can grow together.”

Key Highlights of the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026–2031

• Blue Bioeconomy growth: Target to expand Karnataka’s Blue Bioeconomy from $2 billion to $6–8 billion by 2031, contributing to the State’s ambition of capturing a significant share of India’s Blue Bioeconomy opportunity.

Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy (KIMBE): Establishment of KIMBE as the institutional anchor for marine biotechnology research, innovation, commercialisation and ecosystem development.

Advanced marine research infrastructure: Creation of advanced laboratories and facilities focused on genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, fermentation, marine bioprocessing, bioprospecting and marine biodiversity.

Marine Biotechnology Zones: Development of dedicated Marine Biotechnology Zones in collaboration with the fisheries department, with common infrastructure, engineering and fabrication facilities, logistics, testing and plug-and-play facilities to support industry.

Seaweed value addition: Introduction of a Seaweed Value Addition – Production Linked Incentive (SVA-PLI) to encourage manufacturing of high-value products derived from seaweed, including hydrocolloids, nutraceuticals, biofertilisers, biostimulants, marine biomaterials, bioplastics, bio-based chemicals and biofuels.

Blue Carbon: A Karnataka Pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme to scientifically assess, certify and recognise carbon sequestration through seaweed cultivation and other eligible coastal blue-carbon ecosystems.

Marine Bioinnovation & Startup Incubation Centre: Support for incubation, prototyping, pilot validation, technology translation and commercialisation of marine biotechnology innovations.

Employment and enterprise: The policy envisages creating approximately 2,500 high-value technical jobs and 7,500 coastal enterprise and livelihood opportunities through the growth of the marine biotechnology ecosystem.

Research-to-market ecosystem: The policy seeks to strengthen the entire value chain from research and bioprospecting to product development, prototyping, commercialisation and investment, enabling greater participation from startups, industry and research institutions.

Creating a new coastal innovation ecosystem

Karnataka’s marine biotechnology ecosystem will build on the State’s existing academic and research base, including the College of Fisheries, Mangaluru, Karnataka University, Dharwad and marine biotechnology programmes at NITTE, along with institutions and enterprises working across biotechnology, life sciences, bioinformatics and advanced manufacturing.

The policy will particularly focus on translating this scientific capability into commercially viable technologies and products, with marine resources being explored for applications across pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofertilisers, biostimulants, biodegradable plastics, biomaterials and other high-value industries.

The policy has a proposed five-year budget of ₹120 crore, including investments in KIMBE, Marine Biotechnology Zones, the Seaweed Value Addition PLI, the Karnataka Pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme.

The Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026–2031 is intended to establish a science- and innovation-led Blue Bioeconomy ecosystem that connects Karnataka’s coastal resources and research capabilities with startups, industry, investors and global markets, while ensuring the sustainable use of the State’s marine ecosystems.