Fishery Sector marks Laudable Achievements In 2014-15
Bhubaneswar, May 27: After recording sea food export of worth Rs.2300 cr, the fishery sector marked laudable achievements in many of its major operations during 2014-15. This has been revealed from a review meeting taken by Chief Secretary Sri Gokul Chandra Pati in secretariat conference hall today wherein Secretary Fisheries & Animal Resource Development Sri Bishnupada Sethi presented the updates and outlined the issues for discussion. Reviewing the progress, Chief Secretary directed the department to initiate actions for providing alternative livelihood to the fishermen during ban periods along the coast line. Sri Pati has also advised the department to carry forward its extension activities through the progressive fishermen and introduce new fishery technologies through them. The department has been asked to prepare SOP on advanced fingerling culture, increasing productivity of the area already under pisciculture and put it on public domain.
Available data shows that fresh water fishery pond have been constructed over 1666 hect. during 2014-15 marking a growth of 121% over 2013-14. Similarly, brackish water fishery pond has been constructed over 510 hect with a growth of 123% over last year. Spawn production has increased to 132cr thereby marking a growth of 101% including fry fish production of 28cr recording a growth of 90%. Around 11 lakh fishermen have been covered under insurance and housing have been provided to 1066 fishermen families during 2014-15 thereby marking growth of 111% and 103% respectively in both these programmes. Similarly, there has been 74% growth of fingerling stock in reservoirs and 145% in converting country boats to motor boats.
Around 3500 progressive farmers have been identified. Training and demonstration on advanced fishery technology have been taken up for them under ATMA programme. About 250 women SHGs have been provided with breeding tanks and training on fingerling production. It has been decided to take up demonstration about intensive pisciculture in 100 blocks with a target of enhancing productivity to 5 ton per hect. Director Fisheries Sri P. Krishnamohan present in the meeting said that demonstration on floating feed in fish ponds for enhancing productivity will be done through 928 farmers in all 314 blocks of the State. Under this programme, each fish farmer will be assisted with Rs.10,000/- for procuring developed floating feed for fingerlings living on the upper water layers of the tanks. It has also been decided to take up a study on hilsa breeding in Chilika with an objective of developing technologies for artificial hilsa breeding.
Fishermen living along the coast line have been mobilized and involved in abiding the ban of ‘no fishing zone’ for facilitating breeding and conservation. Generally, a coastal stretch of 70 km is banned throughout the year in Gahiramatha wild life sanctuary. Similarly, a coastal stretch of 50 kms is banned from November to May for sea turtle protection. A breeding season ban is also imposed from 15th April to 14th June for enhancing fish breeding in the coastline. During these periods compensatory provisions for the fishermen are being provided each year. Chief Secretary Sri Pati has advised the department to initiate action for providing alternative livelihood activities as well for the fishermen families who completely depend on fishing activities.
Joint Secretary Fisheries & Animal Resource Development Sri Sailendra Dwibedi along with other senior officers participated in the review meeting.