State to up fish output to 7.15 lakh metric tonnes by 2020

The State Cabinet has approved of the Odisha Fisheries Policy 2015, which ambitiously targets an increase in fish production to 7.15 lakh metric tonnes (lMT) and to provide additional employment, both direct and indirect, to over 2 lakh persons by 2020.The policy primarily aims to make the State a pioneer in aquaculture development and fisheries extension with focuses on ensuring of food security, livelihood and welfare of fishermen.

The new policy aims at developing additional 15,000 hectares of new tank/pond for freshwater aquaculture in all the 30 districts by 2020. This will create additional direct employment to approximately 60,000 persons in fish farming and indirect employment to 1,20,000 persons in ancillary activities.

The policy projects to increase the inland fish production of the State from present level of 2.63 lMT to about 5.30 lMT in next five years. It focuses on bringing improvement of riverine fish resources through river ranching.Presently, 25 per cent of water reservoirs are under Fisheries Department which can be given on lease to private entrepreneurs for commercial pisciculture. Fingerling production would be promoted in private sector for ensuring availability to fish farmers, officials said.

According to the policy, around 11 lakh fishermen would be covered under the Group Accident Insurance Scheme. Besides, there are provisions for giving life saving devices and early warning about cyclone, tsunami, storm surge and floods, said P K Mohan, Director Fisheries.