National

On the occasion of World Fisheries Day 2024, Telangana has been recognized with the prestigious Best Inland Fisheries State award. This accolade highlights the state’s significant efforts in enhancing inland fisheries through innovative policies, sustainable practices, and substantial growth in fish production. Telangana has effectively utilized its vast network of reservoirs, tanks, and water bodies to boost aquaculture, creating numerous employment opportunities for fishers and contributing to the state’s rural economy.

Over the years, Telangana has introduced advanced technologies, ensured regular stocking of fish seeds, and implemented welfare schemes for the fishing community. These initiatives have resulted in increased fish productivity and better income for fish farmers. The state’s emphasis on eco-friendly and scientific approaches to fisheries management has set a benchmark for inland fisheries development in the country.

Other winners on this special day include Kerala, which was named the Best Marine State, Uttarakhand, awarded as the Best Himalayan & North Eastern State, and Jammu & Kashmir, recognized as the Best Union Territory. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) congratulates all the winners for their outstanding contributions to advancing the fisheries sector and ensuring sustainable aquatic resource management across India.

The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi, celebrated World Fisheries Day with great enthusiasm today by organizing a “Students Interaction cum Brainstorming Programme” for students from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). This initiative aimed to inspire the next generation of fisheries professionals, fostering meaningful discussions on sustainable fishing practices and innovative technologies in the sector.

INSPIRING THE FUTURE: GUEST OF HONOUR

The event featured Smt. Chinnama Joseph, an accomplished fisherwoman and Vice President of the Inland Fishermen Cooperative Society, Vaikom, as the Guest of Honour. Smt. Chinnama shared her extraordinary journey spanning 55 years in the fishing industry, which she began at the tender age of 13.

Her stories of resilience, perseverance, and expertise captivated the audience, particularly the students, as she highlighted the critical role of women in the fishing sector. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in her career, she encouraged students to embrace innovation while staying committed to sustainable practices. In recognition of her invaluable contributions to the fishing community, ICAR-CIFT honored her during the event, applauding her dedication to the industry.

LEADERSHIP AND INSIGHTFUL SESSIONS

The programme was presided over by Dr. M.P. Ramesan, Head of the Fishing Technology Division at ICAR-CIFT, who emphasized the importance of preparing the younger generation to address emerging challenges in fisheries.

Technical sessions by eminent scientists provided deep insights into the future of fisheries:

• Dr. Madhu V.R. and Dr. Muhammed Ashraf P., Principal Scientists at ICAR-CIFT, discussed innovative fishing technologies and sustainable fisheries practices, outlining solutions for reducing bycatch, conserving marine biodiversity, and enhancing productivity.
• Senior scientists Dr. Prajith K.K. and Dr. Sandhya K.M. addressed key topics in fisheries technology, empowering students with cutting-edge knowledge and tools.

SIMULTANEOUS CELEBRATIONS ACROSS INDIA

The celebration extended beyond Kochi, with parallel events held at ICAR-CIFT’s research centers in Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, and Veraval. These programs showcased the institute’s commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture nationwide. At each location, researchers, students, and industry stakeholders joined hands to reaffirm their dedication to transforming the fisheries sector through innovation and sustainability.

CELEBRATING SUSTAINABILITY

World Fisheries Day serves as a reminder of the critical role that fisheries play in ensuring food security, employment, and ecological balance. Through its nationwide activities, ICAR-CIFT demonstrated its commitment to empowering youth, enhancing women’s participation, and addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing.

The event concluded with a call for collective action, urging students and stakeholders to innovate and collaborate to achieve a sustainable and inclusive future for the fisheries sector. This celebration was a testament to ICAR-CIFT’s enduring vision of transforming Indian fisheries through scientific excellence and community engagement.

Himachal Pradesh, a northern Indian state, is set to establish 15 land-based fish ponds utilizing recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology by 2025. The initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, introduced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2020.

As per reports from The Times of India, five ponds will be constructed in normal-water areas across Una, Mandi, and Surmaur districts, with an anticipated annual production of 40 metric tons (MT) each. The first two facilities are slated for construction in the current financial year. Additionally, 10 ponds will be established in cold-water regions spanning Kinnaur, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Chamba, and Kullu districts over the next five years, aiming for an annual output ranging from 4 MT to 10 MT per pond.

Himachal Pradesh’s fisheries department, projects a cumulative production of approximately 270 MT of fish per year from these 15 ponds upon full operation. Rainbow trout will be cultivated in the cold-water ponds, while pangasius, tilapia, and common carp will be farmed in normal-water areas.

Farmers involved in the initiative will receive training sessions hosted by the National Fisheries Development Board, focusing on best practices for cold-water aquaculture employing RAS technology. The state government intends to encourage private sector participation by offering financial assistance for construction expenses.

Implementing RAS technology is expected to empower local fish farmers by enabling year-round operations, particularly during water scarcity in summer months. Moreover, the technology ensures consistent fish growth unaffected by weather conditions, thereby promising a stable income source for farmers, according to the newspaper report.

Fishing communities along the coast are staging protests against the illegal use of ring nets, which they claim threatens both their livelihoods and the region’s marine ecology. Despite a long-standing ban and repeated interventions by authorities, the issue persists, leading to rising tensions in several coastal areas, including Yendada, Bheemili, Moolapalem, Vasavanipalem, Uppada, Mangawanipeta, and Nagamayyapalem.

The protests have escalated into confrontations between groups, with traditional fishermen demanding stricter enforcement of the ban. Community members argue that the continued use of ring nets depletes fish stocks, leaving them struggling to sustain their traditional way of life.

The issue first sparked unrest in 2014, prompting interventions to restore order. By 2020, the dispute resurfaced, leading traditional fishermen to file a case in the high court. At the time, the fisheries department reported that only 13 ring nets in the district held valid licences, while others operated illegally.

The court ruled that unlicensed ring nets must cease operations immediately and instructed authorities not to renew existing licences. Furthermore, the court limited the use of licensed ring nets to an 8-kilometer range until the expiry of their permits. This brought temporary relief to the aggrieved communities.

However, in recent months, traditional fishermen have reported a resurgence in the use of ring nets in violation of the court’s directives. Representatives from the fishing community have lodged complaints with the district administration, urging officials to enforce the ban and uphold the court’s orders.

District Joint Collector Mayur Ashok has acknowledged receiving the complaint, and the matter is now under review. Protests are expected to continue until decisive action is taken to address the concerns of the affected communities.

We are delighted to announce that applications for the 5th Call of NIDHI PRAYAS Grant are now open. The application window begins on 4th November 2024 and will close on 4th December 2024.

The NIDHI PRAYAS Grant encourages innovative ideas and product development in the fisheries sector, which plays a crucial role in enhancing aquaculture practices and ensuring sustainable seafood production. Applicants can work on solutions that address challenges in fish farming, water quality management, disease control, and feed innovation. This is a golden opportunity for researchers and entrepreneurs to bring groundbreaking technologies to the fisheries domain, boosting productivity and contributing to the blue economy.

Who Can Apply?

• Entrepreneurs, startups, researchers, students, and innovators working on agri-based physical product development.

Eligibility Criteria:

For detailed eligibility criteria, please visit: NIDHI PRAYAS Eligibility Criteria.

Focus Sectors:

• Agriculture & Agritech
• Food Technology
• Horticulture
• Value Chain
• IoT/Sensor-Based Systems
• Farm Machinery
• Sericulture
• Veterinary
• Diagnostics and Breeding
• Bio-Fuel
• Fisheries
• Plant Genomics
• Microbiology
• Bioinformatics
• Apiculture
• Other Allied Sectors

Key Dates:

• Start Date for Applications: 4th November 2024
• Last Date to Apply: 4th December 2024

Application Link:

Apply Here

Contact Information:

For further queries, feel free to contact:
Mr. G. Narender Reddy
+91-8332803404 / 040-24581464
nidhimgr.aidea@naarm.in

Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your Agri and Fisheries innovations into reality!

Thiruvananthapuram: A groundbreaking initiative to enhance sustainable fishing and bolster coastal livelihoods through fish seed deposition and the installation of artificial reefs was inaugurated on Wednesday at Vizhinjam North Harbor. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, George Kurian, officially launched the project.

The event, presided over by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, was attended by MP Shashi Tharoor, Mayor Arya Rajendran, Principal Secretary of Fisheries and Ports K.S. Srinivas, Fisheries Director Abdul Nasser B., and other notable officials.

The central and state governments aim to deploy artificial reefs across the coastal waters of nine marine districts. In the initial phase, 6,300 artificial reefs have been placed at 42 sites along the Thiruvananthapuram coastline. The project received ₹13.02 crore in funding, shared between the central and state governments in a 60:40 ratio.

Furthermore, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has approved ₹3 crore for a sea ranching plan designed to boost fish populations. This involves depositing fish seeds, including pompano and cobia, at a rate of one lakh per reef, totalling 10 lakh seeds across 10 designated artificial reef locations. Juvenile fish weighing between 8 and 10 grams are being released as part of the program.

The project is poised to strengthen fish stocks in the region, ensuring long-term sustainability for the marine ecosystem and offering significant benefits to traditional fishing communities.

The Andhra Pradesh State Fisheries Department is gearing up to establish a mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) hatchery across a five-acre plot in Chira Yanam, located within the Godavari estuary in Katrenikona mandal, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.

On Saturday, Fisheries Commissioner T. Dola Shankar and Sundeep, Director of the Sustainable Coastal Management Division under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), convened discussions with District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar in Amalapuram to finalize the project’s timeline and execution. The officials also conducted a site inspection at the proposed location.

In an official statement, Mr. Mahesh Kumar confirmed, “A five-acre parcel of land at Chira Yanam has been allocated for the Scylla serrata hatchery, which will be developed with a funding of ₹2.7 crore.”

Currently, Tamil Nadu is home to the nation’s only operational mangrove crab hatchery.

The coastal communities of Andhra Pradesh, including the Yanadi tribal groups, rely heavily on harvesting mangrove crabs from the Krishna and Godavari mangrove ecosystems. However, since 2018, commercial farming of the species in the state has struggled due to seed quality issues and disease outbreaks. Shrimp farmers, particularly in the former Krishna district, faced significant financial losses when they attempted Scylla serrata cultivation.

The Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA-Chennai) introduced crab fattening technology to Andhra Pradesh as a potential solution, but it failed to deliver the anticipated results.

This new hatchery is expected to address these challenges by providing high-quality crab seeds and revitalizing the prospects for mangrove crab cultivation in the state.

The observance of Kartika Masam, a sacred month dedicated to Lord Shiva, has had a pronounced impact on the fisheries sector, with demand for fish and seafood experiencing a sharp decline. This traditional period, marked by abstinence from non-vegetarian foods, has led to a glut in the market and a steep drop in prices.

In seafood markets, the price of Katla fish has fallen drastically, from ₹250 per kilogram to ₹150. Wholesale traders are grappling with excess stock as large supplies of prawns and other fish arrive in the market, overwhelming the limited demand. “The Kartika season always brings a slowdown, but the scale of this year’s surplus has made it particularly difficult,” noted a prawn wholesaler.

Chicken and mutton markets are also feeling the effects of reduced consumer interest, with prices dropping by around 15% compared to the previous month. However, it is the fisheries sector that has borne the brunt, as seafood constitutes a significant portion of non-vegetarian consumption in the region.

To offset the losses, many seafood sellers are lowering prices in an attempt to attract buyers, while some vendors have temporarily scaled back operations. Despite these efforts, weekend footfall at markets has been sparse, reflecting the cultural significance of the month and its influence on consumption patterns.

On a brighter note, this dip in demand has provided an opportunity for seafood enthusiasts to purchase fish and prawns at much lower prices. Restaurants specializing in non-vegetarian cuisine are also introducing special offers to sustain business during this lean period.

As the demand for fish remains subdued, the focus shifts to the resilience of the fisheries sector, which continues to adapt to the seasonal changes dictated by cultural traditions like Kartika Masam.

Bengaluru: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to amplify credit disbursement to Kerala’s fisheries sector as part of a broader push to strengthen allied agricultural industries in southern India. During a meeting with 10 RRBs from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Puducherry, Sitharaman emphasized collaboration with state government departments to enhance financial flows to fisheries, dairy, and animal husbandry.

Highlighting Kerala’s untapped potential in fisheries, she stressed that improving credit access in this sector could significantly bolster the state’s economy.

Sitharaman also discussed major initiatives for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including the Rs 100 crore credit guarantee scheme announced in the Union Budget. She revealed that the proposal would soon be presented to the Union Cabinet.

“This specialized credit guarantee corpus will provide critical support to MSMEs during challenging times, ensuring they can secure working capital and term loans without third-party collateral,” Sitharaman stated. The scheme will be rolled out through the MSME Ministry and public sector banks following Cabinet approval.