The government is committed to encouraging inland water aquaculture to tackle the depletion of marine fishery resources, Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma has said.Inaugurating the Aqua Green Mart of the district panchayat here on Tuesday, the Minister said the State government was planning elaborate measures to promote aquaculture, as it was seen as a sector that could generate large-scale employment. Freshwater fish hatchery Various schemes for promoting the sector were already being launched by the Fisheries Department, she said. Complimenting the district panchayat’s decision to start a freshwater fish hatchery here, she said the State required 12 crore fish seeds a year. While the State’s production of fish seeds was two crore a year, the rest of the requirement was brought from Andhra Pradesh. The State government is planning to enhance the production of fish seeds to four crore this year, the Minister said, adding efforts were already under way in this regard. The government favoured integrated farming, she said, adding the mart she inaugurated would provide a permanent marketing space for vegetable cultivators and fish farmers. She also said the proposal for opening a regional office and training centre for promotion of aqua culture was under consideration of the government. District panchayat president K.V. Sumesh presided over the function. P.K. Sreemathy, MP, was also present at the function.
2016, The Hindu