Recognising the contributions made by fish farmers and the fisheries sector, the Government of India is celebrating World Fisheries Day at Daman. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is the nodal agency behind this initiative.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, MoS Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, MoS Dr. L. Murugan, along with other administrative personnel are going to participate in the occasion. To begin with, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has organised various awards at different levels to recognise the best practices involved in the fisheries sector. The awards are categorised into Inland, Marine, Hilly & North-eastern region, and they will be distributed to the best state, district, and quasi-government organisations/federations/corporations respectively. Moreover, awards to the best fish farmer, best hatchery, best fisheries enterprises, best fisheries co-operative societies/FPOs/SHGs, best individual entrepreneurs, and best innovation idea/technology infusion will also be presented.
Transfer of technologies
Keeping up with the pace of technological advancements happening in the sector, an exhibition pertaining to various technologies developed by institutes/government organizations/ private sector is being organised. The event will also witness the launch of the Video Song on Sagar Parikrama – Gujrati Version, SSS: India @75 – “100 Super Success Stories from Indian Fisheries”, as well as posters and other publications.
The scenario of Fisheries sector in India
In India, the fish farming sector has always been a very prominent source of livelihood, especially in the coastal regions of our country. The sector is responsible for providing livelihood to more than 25 million fishers and fish farmers. In addition, the sector provides various livelihood opportunities indirectly linked with fish farmers or fishers.
The schemes are focused on transforming the fisheries sector and having a sustainable approach toward fisheries and aquaculture. In what can be termed as the “Blue Revolution” in the country. Realising the huge potential and dependency of a major portion of the population on the sector, the Government has launched various schemes and initiatives. Prime Minister Modi in May 2020 launched the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY)” with an estimated budget of Rs 20,050 crores, over five years.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY)
Earlier in November 2022, Under the PMMSY scheme, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the modernisation and upgradation of the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour. The project is built with an estimated cost of 150 crores, after completion the project aims to double the handling capacity from 150 tons per day to about 300 tons per day.
It is a flagship scheme focused on the development of the fisheries sector and doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers. Announced as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in May 2020, the scheme is an Umbrella scheme for various other government initiatives and projects by the Government in the fisheries sector.
The scheme aims for the adoption of ‘Cluster or Area-based Approaches’ and ultimately creating fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages. The scheme targets enhancement in fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne and increase fisheries export earnings to 1,00,000 crore by 2024-25. Further, the scheme also envisioned generating employment opportunities through seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation and to bring new interventions such as fishing vessel insurance, support for upgradation of fishing vessels/boats, integrated aqua parks, e-trading/marketing, etc.