BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Saturday directed the Fishery and Animal Resources Development Department to make fishery activity bankable to encourage entrepreneurs to take this as an economic activity.
Reviewing the progress of the Odisha Fishery Policy-2015 at the first State Level Steering Committee meeting here, Chief Secretary AP Padhi advised the Department to enhance the fishery lease period to five years to make it rewarding and sustainable.
Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan said entrepreneurship in inland fishery needs to be developed like that of marine fishery. It was decided to hold a thematic specific meeting of State level bankers’ committee (SLBC) on fishery sector under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner.
The State Fishery Policy has the objectives to enhance fresh water fish production from present level of 3.01 lakh tonne to 4.73 lakh tonne by 2019, create additional 10,000 hectare water area in private sector by 2018 and boost fish export to the tune of `10,000 crore per annum by 2020.
Capacity building of fish farmers, involving self help groups (SHGs) in fishing activity and providing housing to fishermen are other objectives of the policy.
Meanwhile, stocking of fish seed has been taken up in all the 30 districts during 2015-16 through Mastya Sampad Viksah Utsav. The Government has provided `3 crore 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 finalised,” Fishery & Animal Resources Development Secretary Bishnupada Sethi said after the meeting.
An exclusive cell has been set up in the Directorate of Fisheries for export promotion, he said.
New State Plan scheme like popularisation of modern fishery equipment and cage culture in reservoirs have also started.
The budget provision for 2016-17 financial year was discussed in the meeting. The new schemes include financial assistance to fishermen during fishing ban period with budget provision of `16 crore, motorisation of traditional craft with a support of `12.12 crore, `6.25 assistance to fishermen for livelihood development and commercial fisheries enterprises with budget support of `7 crore.