by: NavJeevan

Sagar Parikrama Phase VIII: Steps needed to boost mariculture sector, says Rupala

  • Parshottam Rupala interacts with fishermen to gain insights into their way of life and livelihood.
  • Primary goal of such interactions is to bridge the gap between policymakers and the people directly affected by those policies: Rupala
  • Approximately 200 fishermen participated at Muthalapozhy fishing Harbour and 150 fishermen participated at Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour.

NE NEWS SERVICE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG 31

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, on Thursday outlined a comprehensive plan to boost the mariculture sector of the country, saying that offshore cage farming is the immediate focus using bigger cages.

Sagar Parikrama Phase VIII program began with a warm welcome of Parshottam Rupala by fishermen and women and moved forward to Muthalapozhy fishing Harbour and Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour of Thiruvananthapuram district.

Parshottam Rupala interacted with fishermen to gain insights into their way of life and livelihood. This interaction involved open conversations where the fishermen shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations such as expansion of Harbour at Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour as the number of boats has increased. Union Minister (FAHD) discussed about the Muthalapozhy breakwater structure, and deliberated on design which is being re-evaluated to implement necessary corrective measures under PMMSY initiative.

Rupala shared that the primary goal of such interactions is to bridge the gap between policymakers and the people directly affected by those policies. Approximately 200 fishermen participated at Muthalapozhy fishing Harbour and 150 fishermen participated at Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour.

During his visit to the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here, Rupala said, “Cage fish farming is to be expanded to offshore waters with better cage designs having a size of 30-diametre or above that can accommodate lakhs of juveniles.”

Currently, cage farming is undertaken in near shore waters using 6-diametre cages.

He added that CMFRI should spearhead research and development efforts in creating these advanced cages.

“This is expected to significantly boost mariculture production in the country,” added Rupala.

He also urged CMFRI to expand seed production technologies for finfishes to all the coastal states utilising the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode.

This, he said, would help address the seed constraints and make available the required seeds to the fish farmers all over the country, adding that the Central government will soon come up with a mariculture leasing policy to ensure the sustainable use of mariculture resources.

“This will ensure that mariculture operations are located in suitable areas and they do not cause environmental damage,” Rupala said.

Underscoring the untapped potential of Pearl Oyster production, he urged CMFRI to play a proactive role in scaling up its production in a bigger way.

Acknowledging the critical role of hatchery technologies in supporting large-scale Pearl Oyster production, he emphasised the necessity of research and innovation in this area.

The Union minister also proposed a pioneering sea ranching programme of the hatchery-produced spats of the Pearl Oyster along the Tuticorin coast, which would be executed under the guidance of CMFRI.

Rupala was accompanied by L Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary, DoF, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary, Neetu Kumari Prasad and Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, Dr LN Murthy.

Kanyakumari district fishermen seek Marine Ambulance, rescue facility for fishermen by helicopter, increasing insurance for fishermen to Rs 10 lakh

Following this, Rupala  led delegation of dignitaries and senior officials visited Kanyakumari district. Nagercoil Legislative Assembly Member Gandhi and former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan were also present at the event.

In subsequent interactions at the coastal villages fishermen urged the Ministers on various demands such as Marine Ambulance, rescue facility for fishermen by helicopter, increasing insurance for fishermen to Rs.10 lakh and improvement of infrastructure for fishing including provision of Radio phones and communication centers. Various scheme beneficiaries, fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers and boat owners shared their on-ground experiences and life stories with the delegation. Fishermen also expressed happiness on tremendous contribution of various government schemes like PMMSY and KCC on their livelihoods.

MoS, Dr L Murugan enlightened on seven phases of Sagar Parikrama to great reception and satisfaction of the fishermen and women. Further, he highlighted that Tamil Nadu holds a huge potential for the marine fisheries in the country as well as being a leader in appropriate marine fishing regulations, maintenance of the proper hygiene and sanitation in the marine fish landings and technology infusion. He said that India is at 4th place in the world in Marine food export. He also shared with contentment that Kaimedu Harbour, Chennai is now modernized and in last 9 years Rs 38,500 Cr have been allotted for development of fishermen community. He thanked fishermen, fish farmers, beneficiaries, coast guard officers for sharing their suggestions for enhancing fisheries sector.

Later in the day, a stage program is planned at Kanniyakumari where Parshottam Rupala along with other dignitaries would interact with about 700 fishermen, distribute various benefits to over 160 beneficiaries and address the gathering.