The Karnataka government has embarked on a massive expansion of fishing in the three coastal districts on the west coast for an investment of Rs 275 crore. The mega investment plan includes the upgrade of several existing ports and development of many greenfield projects, a senior government official said.
“This is the first time that the department of fisheries has received an approval from both the state and central governments to take up the upgrade of existing fishing ports and construction of new fish landing centres, jetties and breakwaters. The projects would be taken up under the central, state sponsorship model,” Gangadhar Maddikery, joint director, department of fisheries, government of Karnataka told Business Standard. The department has received funding from both the central and state governments, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (Nabard). Once completed, the facilities will ease congestion at these ports, he said.
Presently, 3,316 mechanised fishing vessels, 5,283 motorised vessels and 5,561 traditional boats are operating from the Karnataka coast. About 766,000 fishermen are involved in the fishing business in the state.
The projects include development of the 3rd stage of Mangalore fishing harbour for Rs 57.5 crore, 3rd stage development of Malpe fishing harbour at a cost of Rs 37.1 crore, 2nd stage of Honnavar fishing harbour at Rs 44.7 crore and dredging at Bhatkal, Kodibengre and Hangarkatte at a cost of Rs 4.8 crore.
The Central government would provide 75 per cent of the total cost of these projects, while the state government would provide the balance 25 per cent, he said.
The department of fisheries has proposed to take up new projects like a fish landing centre at Koderi in Kundapur taluk, open type fishing harbour at Maravanthe, construction of breakwater at Shirur-Alvegadde, Gangolli, construction of jetty at Kundapur Kodi, extension of the wharf at Alvekodi and improvements at Thenginagundi fish landing centres at a combined investment of Rs 105 crore. These projects would be fully-funded from the state government funds.
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Under the financial assistance through Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) of Nabard, the government has proposed to take up projects worth Rs 19.5 crore. They include construction of jetties at Gangavalli, Hangarakatta, Gangolli, Kodi Kanyana, Belikeri, Vannalli and Manjuguni. It has also proposed to take up construction of a new fish-landing centre at Belambara.
It is proposed to take up improvement works for Karwar and Honnavar fishing harbours at a cost of Rs 4.6 crore with NFDB assistance. These projects are to be taken up during the current financial year.
However, the department of fisheries is already executing several other projects like construction of breakwaters at Belikeri, Gangolli, dredging at Belikeri, construction of jetty at Harwada, extension of wharf at Karwar, improvement of Hejamadi Kodi fish landing centre and construction of fish landing centers at Majali and Keni in Ankola taluk.
Karnataka’s fish production (both marine and fresh water) for the year 2010-11 went up by 29 per cent to 527,000 tonnes. In terms of value, the state registered 102 per cent jump at Rs 3,109 crore as against Rs 1,539 crore during the year. The marine fish production for the year 2010-11 went up 37 per cent to 341,000 tonnes.