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Karimnagar: Fishermen in Karimnagar district have expressed dissatisfaction with the State government over the distribution of undersized and low-quality fish seedlings. Members of several fishermen cooperative societies have refused to release these seedlings into water bodies, citing concerns about their size and the timing of delivery.

Cooperative societies from Manthani, Palakurthi, and Anthergaon mandals in Peddapalli district recently turned away vehicles delivering the seedlings, rejecting the consignment outright.

As per standard guidelines, fish seedlings measuring 80mm to 100mm should be released into perennial water bodies, while smaller seedlings, around 35mm to 40mm, are reserved for seasonal tanks. However, fishermen allege that the government disregarded these norms by supplying smaller seedlings unsuitable for the water bodies in question.

The timing of the supply has also drawn criticism. Fishermen noted that July and August are the ideal months for stocking water bodies, as fish seeded during this period typically grow to optimal sizes. Had the seedlings been supplied by August, the fish would have already reached 300 to 400 grams by now. Instead, the government’s distribution began only in mid-October, a delay that fishermen say will hinder growth potential.

In light of these issues, cooperative societies are demanding financial compensation from the government, arguing that many of them have already stocked the water bodies at their own expense earlier in the season.

Fisheries department officials acknowledged the delay, attributing it to holdups in finalizing the tender process. Last year, approximately 6.32 crore seedlings, valued at Rs 6.38 crore, were distributed across 2,965 water bodies in the former Karimnagar district. However, the current year’s late and substandard supply has strained relations between the department and the fishing community, with fishermen now seeking remedial action.

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Tandur MLA Manohar Reddy has pledged to advance the development of the fisheries sector in Vikarabad district. Speaking at a program organized by the Fisheries Department at the Kotpally reservoir, he oversaw the release of fish fry into the water under a 100% subsidy scheme aimed at supporting local fishers.

The MLA highlighted the significance of the Kotpally reservoir, noting that the initiative would greatly benefit the fishing community in the region. Addressing the challenges faced by local fishers, he assured them of prompt assistance. “If government funds are delayed, I will personally finance the provision of necessary equipment to ease their hardships,” he promised.

Reddy also addressed the incomplete construction of a building near the reservoir intended for local fishers. The structure, originally sanctioned under the previous government, has seen its progress stalled due to a lack of funds. He assured attendees that additional funding would be allocated to resume and complete the project without further delays.

Several local leaders and officials were present at the event, including representatives from the Kotpally Market Committee and the Fisheries Department.

Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday commended the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for its continued support in advancing Bihar’s fisheries sector. Speaking at a workshop on drone technology applications in fisheries, the chief minister emphasized that such assistance has significantly contributed to the state’s self-sufficiency in fish production.

According to Kumar, Bihar’s growth in fisheries is a direct result of the government’s farmer-centric policies, which have enhanced both the state’s economy and the nation’s agricultural development. “Bihar has now achieved self-reliance in fisheries, thanks to the supportive measures implemented by the government,” he remarked.

The workshop, organized by the Central government’s fisheries department, focused on innovative uses of drone technology to modernize fish farming practices. As part of the event, Kumar distributed cheques to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme aimed at promoting sustainable aquaculture and enhancing fish production across the country.

The chief minister also underscored the importance of new technologies like drones in transforming traditional practices, making aquaculture more efficient and sustainable. He expressed confidence that Bihar’s progress in this sector would set a precedent for other states to follow.

The event marked a step forward in Bihar’s efforts to leverage technology for economic growth and highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and improving livelihoods through sustainable fisheries initiatives.

Kochi: In an engaging field experience, fish enthusiasts from various backgrounds teamed up with scientists and technical experts from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) for a Fish Walk at Munambam Harbour. This outreach event provided participants with a rare, close-up encounter with marine biodiversity and the daily workings of the fishing industry.

The harbour buzzed with activity as nine trawlers offloaded their fresh catch, offering a glimpse into Kerala’s marine wealth. Species like ribbonfish (both large-head and small-head), cuttlefish, squid, Indian scad, bulleyes, and pufferfish dominated the haul, along with other varieties destined for fish meal production. A team of CMFRI specialists, including Miriam Paul Sreeram, Ratheesh Kumar R., Aju Raju, Sreekumar K.M., and Sajikumar K.K., guided participants through the unique traits and ecological importance of these species.

Participants also discovered unexpected facts about the commercial use of marine organisms—like how the gill structures of rays are valued in traditional Asian medicine and how fish maws (swim bladders) from species such as eels and croakers are utilized in food and wine production. In total, the group catalogued 42 fish species, five cephalopods, and two types of shrimp during the session. However, the quantity of the landings was slightly lower than usual due to unsettled weather in the preceding days.

Attendees included students at various academic levels and professionals from industries such as banking, oil refining, and architecture, all eager to expand their understanding of fisheries. The group explored the nuances of Kerala’s fisheries ecosystem, covering topics such as fishing gear and methods, the financial aspects of fishing expeditions, the transportation and sale of catches, and the socio-economic conditions of fishing communities.

CMFRI experts also discussed the growing impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, helping participants appreciate the evolving challenges faced by the fisheries sector.

The next Fish Walk will take place on October 26 at Chellanam, offering another 25 participants a chance to engage with the fascinating world of marine life and fisheries.

Bengaluru: Thousands of dead fish were discovered floating in Chikkanagamangala Lake, marking the second such ecological crisis in the city within two years. Residents suspect that toxic runoff from a nearby solid waste management facility operated by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is responsible for the fish deaths.

The lake, previously restored by Biocon, a pharmaceutical company, has become a symbol of environmental degradation. Locals allege that leachate—contaminated liquid from waste—has leaked into the water from the plant located just 300 meters away, despite earlier intervention by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). They claim that the facility resumed operations after a brief closure, and untreated waste continues to enter the lake through concealed pipelines.

Videos shared on the social media platform X showed distressing scenes of the dead fish, triggering a wave of public criticism. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairman of Biocon, voiced her disappointment over the pollution, accusing government bodies of negligence. “It’s irresponsible to pollute a lake we worked so hard to revive. Sewage and toxic waste have destroyed all our efforts, despite assurances that the inlet would be closed,” she posted.

BBMP officials denied the allegations, asserting that a leachate-treatment unit capable of processing 50,000 litres per day was installed five months ago. They claimed the treated water is used exclusively for gardening and insisted that no untreated leachate is discharged into the lake. Officials suggested that the pollution could be from untreated sewage from a nearby village, which lacks an underground drainage system.

Despite these claims, residents remain skeptical, pointing out that concerns about the plant’s environmental impact have been raised since 2018, with no lasting solutions implemented. Social media groups criticized the authorities for their inaction, stating that warnings about potential contamination were repeatedly ignored.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has been notified of the incident, and officials are expected to inspect the site soon. Environmental activists and residents are demanding urgent measures to prevent further damage, warning that without stricter controls, similar ecological disasters are likely to occur again.

Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has ordered all fish vendors along Loop Road near Marina Beach to move to the newly constructed fish market by October 19 or face enforcement action.

Despite being assigned stalls in the modern facility, several vendors continue to sell on Loop Road, which has now been declared a no-vending zone. The GCC has urged the public to purchase fish only from the market and use the free parking spaces provided.

To enforce the shift, a surveillance team comprising GCC officials and traffic police has been deployed to monitor the area. A patrol station will also be set up near the market to prevent unauthorized vending.

At a press conference held at the new facility, a GCC official outlined the market’s amenities and stressed the importance of compliance. The market, inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on August 12, completed its stall allocation by August 27. While some vendors relocated by October 5, many remain on Loop Road despite repeated instructions to move.

This relocation effort follows a 2023 Madras High Court suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) aimed at curbing encroachments and regulating fish vending on Loop Road.

The new market’s stall assignments were based on a 2020 vendor survey. Of those originally listed, some vendors have since exited the business, leaving 284 active vendors—primarily from Nochikuppam, Nochi Nagar, and Dumeel Kuppam—now operating at the new premises.

Vendors who have already moved raised concerns over reduced sales, with some reporting significant drops since the shift. There are also complaints about insufficient storage facilities to handle large daily stock.

GCC officials assured that additional storage solutions would be introduced soon. They also promised logistical support to help vendors transport their catch, including nets and equipment, directly to the market.

Some vendors still operating on Loop Road expressed concerns that customers might only purchase from stalls near the entrance, leaving those further inside at a disadvantage.

Addressing these fears, GCC officials stated that customers typically focus on product quality and value, not stall location. They added that the market layout ensures easy access to all stalls, providing equal opportunities for every vendor.

The GCC reiterated that the relocation is essential for maintaining order and compliance, and officials are prepared to take strict action against those who fail to move by the deadline.

New Delhi: The Indian government has confirmed that at least 26 Indian fishermen have died while in Pakistan’s custody over the past decade, following their detention for allegedly crossing into Pakistan’s territorial waters. Despite the official confirmation, the family of a Gujarat fisherman who died in a Pakistani jail last month is still waiting for the return of his mortal remains.

According to a response from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to a Right to Information (RTI) query, 24 fishermen died in Pakistan’s prisons between January 2014 and December 2023. With two more deaths reported this year, the toll has now reached 26 over a span of 10 years.

The RTI request was filed by Jatin Desai, a Mumbai-based journalist and peace activist working for fishermen’s welfare. Desai, a former general secretary of the India-Pakistan People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), highlighted that the deaths expose ongoing challenges in addressing the plight of fishermen arrested near the maritime boundary.

“On March 17, Vinod Laxman Kol, a fisherman from Palghar, Maharashtra, died in a Pakistani jail, and his body was returned to India on May 1. Similarly, Suresh Nathu Solanki from Gir Somnath, Gujarat, died in a Pakistani prison on September 5, but his remains are yet to be handed over,” Desai told The Indian Express.

Desai had also requested details of the fishermen’s deaths, including the exact dates and the repatriation timelines for their remains. However, the Indian High Commission denied the disclosure, citing Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which exempts personal information that does not serve public interest or may invade individual privacy.

Disputes between India and Pakistan over the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Arabian Sea, near the Kutch coast, have resulted in frequent detentions of fishermen. The Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA) apprehends several Indian fishermen annually for allegedly entering Pakistani waters, while Indian authorities similarly detain Pakistani fishermen.

The delay in returning mortal remains has become a recurring concern. Desai criticized the slow repatriation process, calling it a human rights violation. “In the case of the Gujarat fisherman who died in September, his nationality was already verified, yet his family has not received his body even after a month,” he said.

A senior fisheries official from Gujarat noted that the deceased fisherman’s family had recently contacted state authorities for information. “Unfortunately, we have not received any formal communication from the Government of India regarding his death,” the official added.

The delayed repatriation process underscores the broader humanitarian challenges faced by the fishing communities affected by maritime disputes between the two nations.

Hyderabad: The fisheries department has announced that fish seed stocking will be capped at 50% of the district’s usual requirements. Officials have been directed to identify water bodies with adequate water levels suitable for the stocking initiative.

In a recent directive, Dr.Priyanka Ala, Director of Fisheries, instructed district fisheries officers to collaborate with the irrigation department to assess water availability. A detailed report on water levels is to be submitted to the department’s head office by October 19.

The decision to limit fish seed stocking stems from the insufficient water levels in several reservoirs and ponds. Due to these challenging conditions, the department has scaled down this year’s stocking plan for the 2024-25 cycle to ensure sustainability.

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.