World Fisheries Day: U’khand, J&K bag top fish production awards
The Indian fisheries sector contributes 8 per cent to the global production and the national output has nearly doubled after 2014, Minister of Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh said on Thursday on the occasion of World Fisheries Day.
On the occasion, states and UTs were honoured for their contribution to the growth of fisheries and aquaculture sector in the country. Kerala bagged the award for the Best Marine State; Telangana as the Best Inland State; Uttarakhand as the Best Himalayan State and Jammu & Kashmir as the Best Union Territory.
Among districts, Kollam (Kerala) won the Best Marine District award, Kanker in Chhattisgarh was named the Best Inland District while Darrang in Assam received the Best Himalayan and Northeastern District award. Kulgam in Jammu & Kashmir was honoured as the Best District in a Union Territory.
Noting India’s achievements in the blue economy, Rajiv Ranjan hailed the fisher folk for making India the second-largest fish producer globally, with around 30 million people involved in the field across the value chain.
“As a result of government initiatives in the sector, fish production has doubled since 2014 to 17.5 million tonne, with inland fishing now surpassing marine fishing, contributing 13.2 million tonne,” said Rajiv Ranjan.
Secretary (Fisheries) Abhilaksh Likhi emphasised the vital role of fisheries and aquaculture in providing food, livelihood and inclusive growth for millions, particularly in rural parts, and flagged the sector’s potential for equitable and inclusive growth.
