Page 2 - Fisheries Sector

AI can help address challenges in marine fisheries, says NITI Aayog VC

The application of frontier technologies like artificial intelligence could help address the challenges in the marine fisheries sector, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Suman Bery, said here on Friday. Inaugurating a national workshop on harnessing the potential of fisheries in the marine states, Bery emphasised the role of technology as a vital growth driver. The workshop was organised at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in association with Kerala Fisheries Department. Bery stressed the importance of understanding the dynamics of demand for prioritising production strategies. "Application of frontier technologies like artificial intelligence could help address the challenges in the marine fisheries sector. Given that demand for fish is on the rise, innovative strategies to enhance productivity are required," Bery said, adding that demand is the driving force of the economy. The workshop was held to discuss relevant issues in marine fisheries, develop tailored

Strong quake in China that killed at least 148 cause losses worth millions

The strong earthquake that hit northwest China this week, killing at least 148 people, caused economic losses estimated to be worth tens of millions in the agricultural and fisheries industries, state media said Saturday. Officials in Gansu conducted preliminary assessments that showed the province's agricultural and fisheries industries have lost 532 million yuan (about USD 74.6 million), state broadcaster CCTV reported. Authorities were considering the best use of the relief fund, set up days before, for the agricultural sector to resume production as soon as possible, the report said. The magnitude 6.2 quake struck in a mountainous region Monday night between Gansu and Qinghai provinces and about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) southwest of Beijing, the Chinese capital. CCTV said 117 people were killed in Gansu and 31 others died in neighboring Qinghai, while three people remained missing. Nearly 1,000 were injured and more than 14,000 homes were destroyed. During a visit Saturday

Uttar Pradesh bags first prize for best state in inland fisheries

Uttar Pradesh has won the best state award in the inland fisheries category, according to a state government official. The award will be given during the Global Fisheries Conference 2023, which will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on November 21. November 21 is celebrated as World Fisheries Day. Special Secretary to the Fisheries Department, Prashant Sharma, said that Uttar Pradesh has won the best state award in the Inland Fisheries category. Speaking to reporters here at the Lok Bhavan, Nishad said that as directed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the schemes related to fishery have been implemented at the ground level. As a result of this, in the past six-and-a-half years, there has been a significant increase in fish production in the state. It is the visionary thought process of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that the state has bagged the top spot in inland fish rearing. Last year, the fish production was 8.09 lakh metric tonnes, while it is 9.15 lakh metric to

Explore potential of handloom, fisheries in Assam's Bodo areas: Guv

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has suggested framing of strategies to explore the handloom, sericulture and fisheries sectors in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas so that the products could be taken to the markets across the country. While reviewing various development schemes at the administrative headquarters of the BTC at Kokrajhar on Monday, Kataria advised the departmental heads of the BTC to ensure equitable development in all its four districts, according to an official release. The BTC, an autonomous elected authority, was created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the tribal Bodo community in Assam. The governor emphasised the potential of the handloom, sericulture, tourism and fisheries sectors in the BTC areas and suggested framing of marketing strategies so that the products could be taken to the country-wide audience, the release said. Kataria took stock of the sector-wise physical and financial progress of central and state flagship scheme

Japan makes final plea to gain fisheries' understanding for Fukushima plant

Japanese government officials sought understanding from fisheries groups on Monday for the impending release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea and pledged to support their livelihoods throughout the process that will take decades. Economy and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura met with the head of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives and promised that the government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of the release and prepared measures to protect the fisheries industry's reputation. Nishimura told the fisheries official, Masanobu Sakamoto, that the water release is essential for the plant decommissioning and Fukushima's recovery and can't be postponed. He also said the government will stand by the concerns and needs of the fisheries community until the release ends decades later. Sakamoto, at the outset, stressed that his organization as a whole remains opposed to the release, but he said members of

Centre asks ICAR-CIFA to focus on research on diseases affecting fisheries

The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) should carry out need-based research for the benefit of aqua farmers and focus on diseases that cause huge loss to the industry every year, Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi said on Wednesday. The secretary -- who reviewed the activities of ICAR-CIFA and the National Fresh Water Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB) in Bhubaneswar -- also urged the two institutes to take steps to create mass awareness about developed technology and best management practices among farmers. Likhi also reviewed the progress of projects sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in Odisha. He also visited Penthakata village in Puri, where fishermen demanded the construction of fish landing centre/jetty and a clean fish market, according to a statement. The secretary directed the state government officials to extend assistance to them under central and state schemes, it added.

Focus on research in animal husbandry, fisheries for overall growth: Tomar

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday asked farm scientists to focus more on research in areas of animal husbandry and fisheries, to boost production and their contribution in the overall farm sector growth. Addressing virtually, the 95th foundation day of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Tomar said India holds the position of number one or two in the world in terms of production of most of the crops. In achieving this feat, he said there has been immense contribution from agriculture scientists along with efforts from the farmers community and policy initiatives taken by the governments. He said the Modi government in the last nine years has taken a lot of initiatives to promote technology in the agriculture sector, as part of its objective to boost farm income. The efforts have also been made to better productivity and production in agriculture, he said, adding that the focus has also been on improving the quality. Tomar highlighted that the In

India not to import butter, other dairy items; to tap local supply: MoS

Union minister Parshottam Rupala on Friday made it clear that the country will not import dairy products like butter and the supplies will be improved with the help of huge untapped domestic sector. "There is no truth in it (shortage of dairy products). No import will take place," Rupala, who is incharge of ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, told reporters on the sidelines of an event. He said there is no shortage of milk in the country and the government is regularly monitoring. "The demand has increased. We have huge untapped area, we will try to tap that...We will manage it properly and there is no need to worry," he said and urged farmers and consumers not to worry about it. On rise in retail prices of dairy products, the minister said there is no need to worry about the prices. Farmers are getting good rates.

National Fishworkers Forum urges India, Pak PMs to release 750+ prisoners

The National Fishworkers Forum on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif to release over 750 prisoners (fisher folks)

Cabinet approves plan to set up 2 lakh PACS, dairy, fishery cooperatives

Seeking to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country, the union Cabinet on Wednesday approved setting up of 2 lakh Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) and dairy-fishery cooperatives in uncovered villages and panchayats over the next five years. At present, there are around 63,000 functional PACS in the country. The Cabinet approved steps to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country and deepen its reach up to the grassroots. The plan is to establish PACS in each uncovered panchayat, viable dairy cooperatives in each uncovered panchayat/village and viable fishery cooperatives in each coastal panchayat/village as well as panchayat/village having large water bodies. The initial target is to establish 2 lakh multipurpose PACS/dairy/fishery cooperatives in the next five years, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said at a Cabinet briefing. The plan will be implemented with the convergence of various schemes by leveraging the 'whole of government' approach. The proposal

Project worth Rs 176 crore approved to boost fish production across J-K

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a Rs 176 crore project to boost fish production in the Union Territory having abundant water resources and great potential for fisheries development, an official said on Tuesday. Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo said the programme seeks to increase annual trout production by 2.5 times, from 1,663 to 4,000 tonnes, and add an additional 1,200 tonnes of carps every year. "By doing so, the programme intends to convert the current import of around 5,000 tonnes of fish from other regions into local commerce, generating 6,050 jobs and 150 enterprises," he said, adding that it also aims to boost the growth rate of the fish sector from 3.28 per cent to 40 per cent, and increase revenue from Rs 105.55 crore to Rs 589 crore per year. Dulloo said the project aims to increase fish production, productivity, and growth rate, as well as strengthen social security and welfare measures for the fishing ...

Steps being taken for sustainable devpt of fisheries sector in Bihar: CM

Interacting with reporters during his Sadbhavna Yatra in Kulharia block in Bhojpur district, he said Bihar is working towards achieving self-sufficiency in fish cultivation

Govt intends to promote freshwater fishing: Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar

Minister for Fisheries Nilkanth Halarnkar on Wednesday said that the government intends to promote freshwater fishing to increase the fish production and to fulfill the demand of fish in the state

Fish farming turns lucrative for Chhattisgarh women, supports rural economy

'We wanted to do some work to make ourselves financially strong, but due to lack of guidance, things could not materialise

Protests, appeals: Why India's fishing communities are up in arms

Catch depleting as coastal infrastructure expands but there is no government, they say

Tamil Nadu fishermen bodies demand monitoring of cooperative societies

They demanded that the cooperative societies function in a proper and transparent manner and refrain from collecting extra money from them under the National fishermen Savings-cum-relief schemes

World Bank approves Rs 4,400-cr funding for three projects in India

The funds will be used for an education project in Gujarat, a social protection programme in Tamil Nadu and a project to help recovery in the fisheries sector post the pandemic

Centre's 'Blue Revolution' scheme sees poor response in Goa: Minister

Goa Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar on Monday said Central government-sponsored schemes for fishermen had evoked a poor response in the state. Addressing a press conference here, he said his department had received funds amounting to Rs 144.18 lakh in 2017-18 under the 'Blue Revolution' scheme for the component 'Open Sea Cage Culture' from the Union Ministry of Fisheries. "Since then, only one beneficiary has come forward to set up 20 cages in Betul in South Goa and Rs 16.315 lakh has been released to the beneficiary as financial aid. A fund of Rs 127.865 lakh remained unutilized with the state fisheries department," Halarnkar said. The state fisheries department had earlier notified the Goa State Mariculture Policy 2020 to promote open sea cage culture but has failed to find interested applicants, he admitted. "There is a need to amend the policy and change the eligibility criteria to attract beneficiaries from the local community," he said.

WTO makes final negotiations for trade deals, with eyes on defiant India

The 164-member body is seeking to agree on a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a reduction of fishing subsidies, pledges on food security and the launch of an internal reform.

WTO MC12: Draft on fisheries subsidies does not meet India's demands

The draft specifies a transition period of seven years for developing nations, instead of 25 years, for exempting some developing countries from subsidy cuts