New Delhi. Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar today reiterated the Government’s high priority to the fishing sector keeping in view the immense possibilities in the sector in coming years. He said that the sector has achieved over 6% growth rate. The sector has been one of the major foreign exchange earners, with revenue reaching approximately Rs. 8,000 crore in 2007-08, accounting for about 14% of the agricultural exports, he elucidated.

Shri Pawar was speaking at Chettuva in Kerala where he inaugurated the construction work of a fishing harbour today.

The Minister informed that the Agriculture Ministry has been implementing a number of Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, besides initiating various policy initiatives aimed at enhancement of production while securing livelihoods and welfare of fishermen. ‘Development of Fishing Harbours and Fish landing Centres is one of such schemes initiated and prioritized by the Ministry. Through this scheme, we have already taken up 7 major fishing harbours, 65 minor fishing harbours and 194 fish landing centres for construction along the country’s vast coast line. Out of these, 6 major fishing harbours, 44 minor fishing harbours and 176 fish landing centres have been completed, while 1 major fishing harbour, 21 minor fishing harbours and 18 fish landing centres are at various stages of construction. I am happy to inform that Kerala shares a major part of the these infrastructure projects. One major fishing harbour, 8 minor fishing harbours and 24 fish landing centres have already been constructed and commissioned while 9 ongoing fishing harbour projects are at various stages of implementation,’ the Minister said.

Shri Pawar called upon States to adopt a proactive approach and formulate appropriate projects for more landing facilities since infrastructure facilities for berthing, landing and handling of fish created so far are still inadequate. Explaining the importance of such infrastructure, he said: ‘Apart from the requirement for providing sheltered basin for berthing of boats and landing of catches, stringent quality requirements and food safety standards have assumed greater relevance in international fish trade. Fish importing nations insist on clean and hygienic landing facilities as a prerequisite to meet the high quality standards of seafood.

‘Importing nations and entities such as the European Union(EU) regularly depute quality inspection team to our country to inspect the fishing harbours, Sea Food Processing Units, fish landing centres, fishing vessels etc. They put our facilities under microscopic scrutiny to satisfy their own parameters of quality and hygiene concerning seafood products. There is no doubt that if the team detects some lacuna in the general conditions of hygiene particularly in the fishing harbours and fish landing centres, they may not hesitate to impose restrictions on import of sea food items from the country. Such restrictions, if imposed, could seriously affect this labour intensive sector besides hampering our export. ‘It is important that besides developing of new fishing harbour facilities, the existing fishing harbours are also given a facelift to improve their hygienic conditions. Equally important is the establishment of an orderly and efficient maintenance and management structure; an area which, unfortunately, has been neglected so far.’

The Chettuva fishing harbour project would give a tremendous boost to fishing activities in the region and be an important instrument for economic growth.

On the benefits that would accrue after commencement of this harbour, the Minister said: ‘I understand that Chettuva is one of the important fishing centres in Thrissur District, with rigorous fishing activity, close proximity to potential fishing grounds and good road connectivity. In order to provide certain basic facilities at this location, my Ministry had provided funds for construction of a fish landing centre, which was commissioned in 1994. I am informed that another fish landing centre constructed through financial support form my ministry is located upstream and on the opposite bank of Chettuvai River. I am happy to note that after construction of these landing centres, fishing activities in this area gathered momentum by way increased mechanized fishing as well other allied activities. I understand that due to inadequate landing and berthing facilities, mechanised fishing vessels in this region have to depend either on Munambam or Beypore fishing harbours, which are located at some distance from this site. The requirement to develop this area into a proper harbour has become imminent as better fishing methods and more craft are put to use.

‘I am hopeful that development of this fishing harbour would help in exploitation of rich fishing grounds, create adequate infrastructure facilities for operation of mechanised fishing vessels, mitigate navigation hazards, save fishermen life and fishing vessels from the rough sea, handle fish and crustacean in hygienic conditions, thereby enhance the export earnings. I would urge the State Government to draw a concrete action plan to complete the fishing harbour project within the approved time period of three years so that the intended benefits start flowing to the fishermen at the earliest. My Ministry would extend all support for speedy completion of this fishing harbour project…I take this opportunity to inform that during the financial year 2009-10, besides Chettuva, my ministry has also sanctioned several other fisheries infrastructure projects in the State of Kerala. Some of the important ones are (a) modernization of Cochin Fishing Harbour at a cost of Rs.10 crore; (b) New fishing harbour at Cheruvathur in Kasargode District at a total cost of Rs.29.06 crore; (c) Revised cost estimate proposal of fishing harbour at Thottappally at a total cost of Rs.18.02 crore; (d) an innovative project on GPS-VHF Radio Networking in Marine fisheries at a total cost of Rs.0.65 crore and (e) supply of safety equipment to mechanized fishing vessels at a total cost of Rs.6.83 crore. An amount of Rs. 46.61 crore has already been released to the state during the financial year 2009-10 under various fisheries programmes.’

Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; Shri S. Sharma, Kerala Minister of Fisheries, Shri K.P. Rajendran, Kerala Minister for Revenue, Shri P.C.Chacko, Member of Parliament and Shri K.V. Abdul Khader, MLA participated in the inaugural function.