By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAY 18, 2018: The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Mr Radha Mohan Singh, yesterday addressed, the Fisheries Ministers of Coastal states and Union Territories and stated that the Government has made a budget provision of Rs 7,522.48 crore for the establishment of Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FAIDF) which has the potential to benefit 40 lakh marine and inland fishermen, especially women, self-help groups, weaker sections by making available modern infrastructure facilities and increased value of the produce. He said like farmers, fishermen will also get the benefit of 'Kisan Credit Card'.

The Union Agriculture Minister expressed happiness that the new "National Policy on Marine Fisheries" was notified by the Ministry of Agriculture on May 1, 2017 after detailed discussions with stakeholders. This, he said, will promote the integrated development of marine fisheries in the country for the next 10 years. For an effective implementation of the policy, the Centre and the coastal states will have to work together.

Mr Singh said according to estimates by scientists, existing marine fisheries' resources are over-exploited up to 200 meters depth from the mainland, thereby posing serious threat to the livelihood of traditional fishermen. The area of 200 meters depth lies within 12 nautical miles and is a subject matter of state governments. Therefore, under the National Policy on Marine Fisheries, a sustainable and responsible fishing must be ensured by the states. He appealed to the state governments to take all necessary steps to ensure sustainable fishing.

He appealed the States to fix fleet size, gear size, minimum legal size of fish, and minimum net size in their respective territorial waters to ensure proper utilization of marine fishery resources through fisheries management.

Agriculture Minister further informed that the Central Government has imposed a ban on the use of harmful fishing methods in EEZ such as LED or artificial light and pair trawling on November 10, 2017. He appealed to all the states to stop such harmful practices in their respective territorial waters. He also called upon the states to adopt mariculture to increase the income of fishermen. Mr Singh further added that owing to low prospects of fisheries production along the coast, the government has decided to promote deep sea fishing and has introduced a sub-component 'Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing' under the Blue Revolution.

Mr Singh further said that under this scheme, self-help groups of traditional fishermen are being given 50 per cent of the vessel cost i.e. the central assistance of Rs 40 lakh for vessel costing up to Rs 80 lakh. Advanced and modern deep sea fishing vessels will be built in the country by indigenous technology. He informed that in the first year, central funds amounting to more than Rs 300 crore have been released for the implementation of this scheme benefitting fishermen from states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.