The progress in implementation of Fishery Policy, 2015 was reviewed by Chief Secretary AP Padhi in the 1st State level Steering Committee Meeting held here on Saturday.
Fishery and Animal Resource Development Secretary Bishnupada Sethi presented the updates and outlined issues for discussion. Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary advised the department to make fishery activity bankable by promoting more and more entrepreneurs.
Padhi also directed to enhance the fishery lease period to five years to make it rewarding and sustainable. Participating in the discussion, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan said that entrepreneurship in inland fishery needs to be developed like that of marine fishery. It was decided to hold a thematic specific meeting of SlBC on fishery sector under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner.
Available data show, the Odisha Fishery Policy, 2015 has been launched with the objectives of enhancing fresh water fish production from present level of 3.01lakh MT to 4.73 lakh MT by 2019, create 10,000 additional hectares water area in private sector by 2018 and boost the fish export to worth Rs10,000 crore per annum by the year 2020.
Capacity building of fish farmers, involving SHGs in fishing activity and providing housing to fishermen, are other objectives of the policy.
In the meanwhile, stocking of fish seed has been taken up in all the 30 districts during 2015-16 through Mastya Sampad Viksah Utsav. Rs 3 crore has been provided for promotion of l Vannamei farming as assistance for quality seeds. World Fish, Malaysia has been roped in for technical collaboration.
Simplifying the land leasing policy for fishery has been taken up.
Comprehensive fisheries development plan for Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts have been finalized. An exclusive cell has been set up in the Directorate of Fisheries for export promotion. A new State Plan scheme for popularization of fisheries machineries/ equipment started with budget provision of Rs1 crore during 2015-16.
Another State Plan scheme with budget provision of Rs 2 crore was also started during 2015-16 for cage culture in reservoirs.
The budget provision of Rs14.50 for the year 2016-17 was discussed in the meeting. The focus areas identified included development of water logged areas/dead rivers/Tamapara, development of rivers/open water bodies, swamps etc; collaboration with expert organizations and agencies; establishment of captive nurseries, fish stocking in reservoirs, augmentation of indigenous fish production, setting diagnostic laboratories, establishment of hatcheries, promotion of deep seas fishing; development of shore based facilities, post harvest management and value addition, insurance coverage and capacity building.
The new schemes proposed for 2016-17 included financial assistance to fishermen during fishing ban period with budget provision of Rs16 crore, motorization of traditional craft for providing 2nd marine engine to fishermen after four years with budget provision of Rs 12.12 crore, assistance to fishermen for livelihood development with budget outlay of Rs 6.25 crore and commercial fisheries enterprises with budget outlay of Rs 7 crore.