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Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has expressed concern over the “disturbing trend of arrests involving Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities” in recent times. In a letter to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Stalin urged immediate efforts to secure the release of six fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on Monday.

The fishermen, hailing from Ramanathapuram district, were apprehended along with their fishing boats, posing a threat to their rights and the cultural and economic fabric of Tamil fishing communities.

Stalin emphasized that these arrests not only undermine the traditional fishing rights of the Tamil community but also create fear and uncertainty among the fishing population. He called for the revival of the Joint Working Group between India and Sri Lanka, specifically focused on fisheries-related issues, to serve as a constructive platform for dialogue.

The Chief Minister urged Jaishankar to take necessary steps through diplomatic channels to convene the Joint Working Group, addressing the longstanding issues between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy and preventing the unjust arrests of innocent fishermen.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to organize a three-day conclave in Bhubaneswar from February 16 to 18 to highlight the rapid development in the fisheries and animal resources sector in the state. This event, to be held at Janata Maidan, aims to raise awareness about investment potential in Odisha’s fisheries and animal resources.

Following the success of fisheries and animal resources fairs in different districts and positive responses from stakeholders, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain announced the decision to organize a comprehensive three-day convention in the state capital. The event will feature exhibitions showcasing the state’s potential in fisheries and animal husbandry, along with seminars and workshops providing a platform for the exchange of ideas on new techniques and methods in the sector.

The conclave will facilitate interaction and collaboration among farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women entrepreneurs, market players, and service providers. Approximately 6,000 participants, including farmers, SHG members, and entrepreneurs from various parts of the state, are expected to attend. The government aims to emphasize investment opportunities in the fisheries and animal husbandry sector through this event.

The Coastal Security Group (CSG) is set to conduct training sessions in March aimed at preparing the wards of Cuddalore fishermen for potential roles in the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and other security forces.

As per the released statement by the CSG, interested candidates can obtain application forms free of charge from the offices of the Fisheries Department and the Inspector’s office, CSG, Cuddalore.

Selected trainees will benefit from complimentary accommodation, training materials, and kits throughout the 90-day training program. Additionally, each participant will receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 during the training period.

The fishing community in Tamil Nadu is taking steps to establish its own political party with the intention of contesting the 2026 Assembly election. Frustrated with the lack of recognition from existing political entities, the community aims to bring attention to their concerns and address issues such as sea-level rise, which poses a long-term threat to their livelihoods.

The initiative plans to target all 14 coastal districts initially, including areas like Edappadi, Erode, and Tiruvallur, where inland fishermen are prominent. The community leaders emphasize the importance of being acknowledged as a formidable force in the political landscape and highlight issues affecting their communities that require urgent attention.

Pamphlets and posters are being circulated to invite people to participate in a brainstorming session in the coming days. Community leaders from all districts are being called together to discuss the formation of the political party. The leaders express frustration over issues such as the denial of land titles to traditional fishermen and the classification of their lands as “seashore poromboke,” leading to encroachments and government takeovers.

While there have been previous attempts to establish political parties for the fishing community, leaders emphasize their commitment to making a genuine impact. They aim to address local problems and showcase the failures of existing political representatives and parties in resolving issues affecting villages. Despite existing parties in the name of the fishing community, the new initiative asserts its determination to grow and garner votes for their cause.

Source: The Hindu

KOHIMA: The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Nagaland collaborated with the Tzula Green Zone Project Management Committee (TGZPMC) to organize an awareness camp on river ranching. In a recent event held on Tuesday, thousands of fish fingerlings were released into the Tzula River in the Green Zone as part of this initiative. The director of fisheries and aquatic resources emphasized the crucial role of environmental preservation, deeming it an effective strategy against global warming.

Praising the efforts of villages like Ungma and Longsa in the region for their commitment to river conservation and overall environmental protection, the director hailed the declaration of a part of the river under their jurisdiction as a green zone. This designation holds significant importance in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Officials urged the villages to enforce strict restrictions against overfishing and unethical fishing methods, proposing a complete fishing ban, especially during the three-month breeding season in the area.

The event garnered attendance from various dignitaries, including representatives from village councils and other administrative bodies, along with local residents.

In a related development earlier this month, a cage culture unit was established at Kuhtoli Beel in the Gorukhuti Project of the Darrang district in Assam, under the World Bank-funded APART project. Padma Hazarika, chairman of the Project, formally launched the unit by releasing fish seeds into the water body. Chairman Hazarika commended the innovative approach of the State Fishery Department in meeting the rising demand for high-yielding fish seeds at an affordable price through this scientific fish seedlings growing unit.

 The event saw the presence of Deputy Commissioner Munindra Nath Ngatey, CEO of Gorukhuti Project Uddipta Gautam, District Fishery Development Officer Bipul Khataniar, leading fishery entrepreneur Amal Medhi, and Biswajyoti Sarma, among others.

The Goa government has announced the reservation of three seats exclusively for Goan students in the proposed Bachelor of Fisheries Science program. The government will cover the entire expenditure of these students, emphasizing its commitment to fostering expertise in fisheries.

During the launch of the 7th edition of the Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival 2023–24 at the Secretariat in Porvorim, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant not only unveiled the government’s plan for fisheries education but also urged Goan students to consider fisheries as a subject at various academic levels. The government is set to initiate a Bachelor in Fisheries Science course, providing significant opportunities for Goan students to delve into the field.

Highlighting fisheries as an integral part of the blue economy, Chief Minister Sawant emphasized its potential to contribute substantially to the long-term well-being of Goans. He stated, “Enormous amounts of fish are being exported and imported in Goa, attracting Goan youth to consider this industry as their career. Due to advancements in technology, there has been a decrease in pollution levels. I urge all Goan youths to pursue a BSc in Fisheries Science.”

Sawant said the government also plans to start a Bachelor in Veterinary Science and a dedicated Bachelor in Fisheries College. Given Goa’s coastal identity, the Chief Minister recommended that students choose this course, highlighting its potential for job opportunities in export industries and various subcategories within the fisheries sector. This initiative aligns with the state’s efforts to harness coastal resources for economic growth and youth empowerment.

Gujarat’s banks have reported a significant rejection rate of 43% for Kisan Credit Card (KCC) applications in the animal husbandry and fisheries sectors, as per the latest report from the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC). The rejection figures, outlined in the report, reveal that of the 3.07 lakh KCC animal husbandry applications received, approximately 1.33 lakh applications were rejected, while 1.34 lakh were sanctioned.

The fisheries sector in Gujarat mirrors a similar scenario, with 43% of the 16,661 applications received being rejected, and 8,150 applications sanctioned. Reasons for rejection in the fisheries sector include the absence of a valid fishing license and applicants solely engaged in trading activities.

The extension of the KCC facility to the fisheries and animal husbandry sector by the Centre in 2018-19 aimed to support these sectors financially. However, a considerable number of rejections were attributed to reasons such as applicants being defaulters, providing incomplete or incorrect information, and multiple applications for the same milch animal, among other factors.

Concerns over the high rejection rate of KCC applications in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sectors were raised during the SLBC meeting on December 12, 2023. Officials urged banks to find effective solutions to reduce the rejection rate and ensure wider financial inclusion in these vital sectors.