The State achieved a record growth of around 13 per cent in fish production during 2014-15 with a production of 4,67,076 tonnes against the production of 4,13,889 tonnes last year.
This was informed at a meeting on the fishery sector held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati at the State Secretariat on Monday.
The Chief Secretary wanted the fishery growth rate to be enhanced to 20 per cent in 2015-16 through adoption of appropriate technology, technical assistance to fish farmers in tranches already under fish cultivation and brining more areas under fish cultivation.
Secretary Fisheries & Animal Resource Development Bishnupada Sethi outlining the issues for discussion said that during 2014-15 an additional area of 4,000 hectors was brought under fish cultivation. The export in seafood has also been boosted up to Rs2,300 crore during 2014-15.
Data showed fish production in the State has been enhanced from 3,70,643 tonnes in 2009-10 to 4,67,076 tonnes in 2014-15. The inland fish production increased from 2,41,311 tonnes to 3,33,865 tonnes. The marine fish production increased from 1,29,332 tonnes to 1,33,211 tonnes.
Seafood export went up from Rs421 crore in 2009-10 to Rs2,300 crore in 2014-15.
The Chief Secretary advised the department to instruct all District Fisheries Officers to follow up the new fishery projects and fishing pond proposals and ensure their successful operation. The department was also asked to promote 16 fishing clusters in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Bhadrak districts.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance R Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary Energy SC Mohapatra, Director of Fisheries JB Das and District Fisheries Officers participated in the discussions.