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The Indian aquaculture and fisheries community is deeply saddened by the loss of Shri V. Ramachandra Raju, born on 01-09-1955. He was a respected leader and the founder of the Society for Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture (SIFA). Raju Garu, as he was lovingly called, dedicated his life to improving the lives of fish farmers and advancing the aquaculture sector in India. His passing on 13-08-2024 is a great loss for everyone.

Raju Garu was always passionate about helping farmers. He worked hard to bring the latest knowledge and advancements in aquaculture to them, ensuring they were well-informed and supported. As a leader of the Delta Farmers Association, his commitment to the cause earned him immense respect.

Although he was an IIT graduate, Raju Garu chose to focus on the aquaculture sector, where he made significant contributions that shaped the industry. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and deep concern for the challenges faced by fish farmers across the country.

In addition to his work with SIFA, Raju Garu was closely involved with Aquaex India, where he continued to promote positive change and innovation. His passing is a big loss not just for the aquaculture community, but for the entire country.

Shri V. Ramachandra Raju will always be remembered as a kind, visionary leader who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the fish farming community.

In recognition of India’s historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, the Government of India has designated August 23rd as “National Space Day.” This day marks the successful landing of the Vikram Lander and the deployment of the Pragyaan rover near the lunar South Pole, making India the fourth country to achieve a moon landing and the first to do so in this challenging region. Celebrations across the nation in July and August 2024 aim to inspire the younger generation in the field of space science and technology.

The Department of Fisheries is set to host a significant event at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, on this occasion. The event, scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM, will be graced by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Ministers of State Prof. S. P Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi, and other dignitaries.

In addition to the celebration, the Department of Fisheries is organizing a series of seminars and demonstrations on the “Application of Space Technologies in the Fisheries Sector” across 18 locations in coastal states and union territories. These events, led by Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi, will cover topics such as space technology applications, communication, navigation systems for marine domains, and space-based observations, emphasizing their impact on improving the fisheries sector.

The hybrid events will see participation from key stakeholders, including the Department of Space, INCOIS, New Space India Ltd., fishermen, Sagar Mitras, FFPOs, Fisheries Cooperatives, ICAR Fisheries Research Institutes, state and union territory fisheries departments, and students from fisheries universities and colleges.

India’s fisheries sector, vital to the nation’s economy, benefits significantly from space technologies. With an extensive coastline of 8,118 km, a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 2.02 million square kilometers, and abundant inland water resources, the integration of satellite remote sensing, Earth observations, satellite-based navigation, and data analytics has revolutionized the sector. These technologies enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability, aiding in the management of marine resources and improving the livelihoods of fishermen.

One notable advancement is the Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) advisories, which have significantly increased India’s estimated marine fisheries potential from 3.49 lakh tonnes in 2014 to 5.31 lakh tonnes in 2023. By leveraging ocean color data from satellites, these advisories enable fishers to locate and harvest better catches with greater efficiency, reducing time and effort at sea.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), is committed to supporting these technological advancements. Initiatives such as the National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System in marine fishing vessels aim to enhance monitoring, control, and surveillance by installing 1,00,000 transponders on vessels across nine coastal states and four union territories, with an outlay of Rs. 364 crores. This project underscores the government’s dedication to integrating space technologies with fisheries management, ensuring the sector’s sustainable growth and development.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a new fish market on Marina Loop Road near Nochikuppam on Monday. The facility, developed by the Greater Chennai Corporation at a cost of Rs 9.97 crore, features 366 stalls, with 332 allocated to local fish vendors based on a 2019 enumeration.

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran revealed that there have been requests to increase the number of stalls from 366 to 500 to accommodate vendors who feel they have been left out. To address this, an additional enumeration will be conducted to assess the needs of other vendors in the area. Kumaragurubaran also mentioned the possibility of utilizing nearby corporation-owned land to construct a second market complex if necessary. The corporation is in the process of awarding contracts for the operation and maintenance of the market. The market’s construction was undertaken following a court directive to remove encroachments by fish vendors along Marina Loop Road. The new facility boasts a dedicated fish cleaning area, a parking lot with space for over 100 cars, an effluent treatment plant, toilets, and drinking water facilities.

Despite the market’s completion, the project faced significant opposition from the local fishing community. Last year, a group of fishermen protested, arguing that the construction proceeded without proper consultation and did not adequately reflect their needs. K. Bharathi, President of the South Indian Fisheries Welfare Association, announced that a meeting with local fishing communities will be held on Tuesday evening to discuss concerns, including rent, maintenance, and stall allocation. Bharathi emphasized that official communication regarding the market’s rent structure has not yet been received.

SOURCE: THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

In a significant policy shift, the Government of India has lifted the moratorium on the registration of new fish meal and fish oil units after more than four years. This decision has been welcomed by manufacturers, exporters, and fisherfolk, who had been adversely affected by the moratorium.

Fish meal is a key protein source for aquaculture, poultry, and livestock, making it an essential component of food security. The industry primarily utilizes low-value, resistant fish species that are not preferred for human consumption but are abundant in Indian waters. These resources are converted into valuable protein products, supporting both the economy and sustainable food production. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) took the decision to remove the moratorium following continuous appeals from trade and manufacturing bodies. During its 147th meeting, MPEDA reviewed the demands of the industry and decided to allow the registration of new fish meal and fish oil-producing units to increase the capacity of existing operations.

In addition to lifting the moratorium, MPEDA has announced the formation of a team to inspect the current capacity of units and establish uniform norms for future capacity enhancements.

The moratorium, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, was initially imposed to curb the over-exploitation of food fish resources. The decision was based on reports that excessive juvenile fishing for fishmeal and fish oil production was causing stagnation in the catches of commercially important species, posing a risk to the sustainability of food fish resources and threatening the livelihoods of fisherfolk. The industry had expressed concerns that the moratorium would severely impact India’s position as the world’s third-largest producer and exporter of fish meal. The Indian Marine Ingredients Association (IMIA) has since praised MPEDA’s decision to lift the moratorium, viewing it as a crucial step toward revitalizing the industry while balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

“This pivotal move is set to revitalize the industry and ensure a sustainable future for India’s fishing and aquaculture sectors,” said Mohamed Dawood Sait, President of IMIA. He also noted that the decision would help address illegal production and regulate unethical practices within the fish meal and fish oil industry.

Source: The New Indian Express

In a significant policy shift, the Government of India has lifted the moratorium on the registration of new fish meal and fish oil units after more than four years. This decision has been welcomed by manufacturers, exporters, and fisherfolk, who had been adversely affected by the moratorium.

Fish meal is a key protein source for aquaculture, poultry, and livestock, making it an essential component of food security. The industry primarily utilizes low-value, resistant fish species that are not preferred for human consumption but are abundant in Indian waters. These resources are converted into valuable protein products, supporting both the economy and sustainable food production. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) took the decision to remove the moratorium following continuous appeals from trade and manufacturing bodies. During its 147th meeting, MPEDA reviewed the demands of the industry and decided to allow the registration of new fish meal and fish oil-producing units to increase the capacity of existing operations.

In addition to lifting the moratorium, MPEDA has announced the formation of a team to inspect the current capacity of units and establish uniform norms for future capacity enhancements.

The moratorium, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, was initially imposed to curb the over-exploitation of food fish resources. The decision was based on reports that excessive juvenile fishing for fishmeal and fish oil production was causing stagnation in the catches of commercially important species, posing a risk to the sustainability of food fish resources and threatening the livelihoods of fisherfolk. The industry had expressed concerns that the moratorium would severely impact India’s position as the world’s third-largest producer and exporter of fish meal. The Indian Marine Ingredients Association (IMIA) has since praised MPEDA’s decision to lift the moratorium, viewing it as a crucial step toward revitalizing the industry while balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

“This pivotal move is set to revitalize the industry and ensure a sustainable future for India’s fishing and aquaculture sectors,” said Mohamed Dawood Sait, President of IMIA. He also noted that the decision would help address illegal production and regulate unethical practices within the fish meal and fish oil industry.

Source: The New Indian Express

The state fisheries department has resumed issuing licenses for chank diving activities in Thoothukudi, following a brief suspension. This move offers renewed opportunities for workers in the conch industry. However, the decision has sparked controversy among country boat fishermen, who argue that it could lead to contempt of court, as the use of compressors and jet pumps for diving remains unregulated by the authorities.

The renewal of chank diving licenses was halted on March 31 after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ruled against conducting the activity within the core regions of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. Chank diving, a practice that dates back to the Sangam era, involves divers collecting chanks and conch shells from the seabed up to 25 nautical miles off the Thoothukudi coast.

Country craft fishermen, who oppose the renewal of licenses, cite the health risks associated with the use of compressors and jet pumps. “Inhalation of contaminated air from compressors leads to early deaths among divers, and the use of jet pumps endangers the marine ecosystem by destroying benthic organisms. At least 25 divers die annually due to health issues,” said Dr. Gayes, president of the Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli Country Boat Fishermen Welfare Association. Tamilar Munnetra Kazhagam Katchi state general secretary Raja expressed concerns over the environmental impact, stating, “Corals, which serve as breeding grounds for fish, are living beings. The force of jet pumps can dismantle and dislodge them, causing irreversible damage to the marine ecosystem.” He called for a complete ban on the industry.

On the other hand, Meerasa, a leader of the Sangukuli Trader Association, argued that a ban on chank diving would threaten the livelihoods of nearly 5,000 families in the district. “The opposition from country craft fishermen is rooted in the profitability of the chank diving industry. With divers earning nearly Rs. 2,000 per day, many fishermen have shifted to chank diving due to its lucrative nature,” he said.

It is noteworthy that on June 9, 2011, the Fisheries Assistant Director had prohibited the use of artificial equipment like compressors for breathing during chank diving. However, the Sangukuli Workers Association obtained a stay order allowing the continued use of such equipment until March 2024, citing it as a life-saving measure. In a court order dated February 22, the Madras High Court emphasized that the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a protected area and directed the Fisheries Department to specify the area limits for fishing and diving for chank shells, while issuing licenses in adherence to the Tamil Nadu Chank Fisheries Rules, 1981.

A health professional noted that many chank divers suffer from heart attacks due to the strenuous nature of the work. “Blood pressure rises, and the liver expands when working underwater. Divers are supposed to rest for at least a day after work, but many ignore this, risking their health,” the professional said. A senior fisheries department official stated that licenses were issued for collecting conches with a prohibition on diving at the Gulf of Mannar islands. However, there is currently no ban on compressors and jet pumps, as these were not addressed in the court orders.

Dr. Gayes argued that the court had instructed adherence to the Tamil Nadu Chank Fisheries Rules, 1981, which do not permit the use of advanced equipment that could harm the marine ecosystem. Issuing licenses without banning compressors and jet pumps, he claimed, could lead to contempt of court orders.

Another official mentioned that the fisheries department had proposed providing scuba equipment with oxygen cylinders for divers at a 75 percent subsidy to replace compressors and jet pumps.

SOURCE: THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS