(PIB)
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of the fisheries sector, with focus on Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and High Seas, at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today.
Prime Minister emphasized the extensive use of satellite technology to harness better use of fish resources and give safety instructions to fishermen.
Prime Minister stressed on modernization of the sector through smart harbours and markets, use of drones in transportation of the catch and its marketing. He said that there is a need to move toward a healthier system of functioning so as to add value in the supply chain.
Further, Prime Minister suggested exploration of the usage of drones, as per technical protocols, for transportation of fresh fish from production centres to big nearby markets in cities / towns in consultation with civil aviation.
Prime Minister underlined the need for improvements in processing and packaging of the produce. Facilitation of investments from the private sector was also discussed.
Regarding the use of technology, Prime Minister said that similar to agro tech in the agriculture sector, adoption of fish tech in the fisheries sector should be enhanced for improving the production, processing and marketing practices.
Prime Minister said that taking up fisheries production in Amrit Sarovars will not only improve the sustenance of these water bodies but also improve the livelihoods of the fishermen. He also highlighted that ornamental fisheries also needs to be promoted as an avenue for income generation.
Prime Minister said that a strategy should be worked out to serve the needs of landlocked areas where there is high demand for fish but not enough supply.
Prime Minister suggested that usage of seaweeds for fuel purposes, as nutritional inputs, in pharmaceuticals and other sectors should be explored. He said that all the departments concerned should work together and use technology to create the required outputs and outcomes in the seaweed sector, ensuring complete ownership.
Prime Minister also suggested undertaking capacity building of fishermen in modern fishing practices. He also suggested maintenance of a negative list of items that hinder the growth of the sector so that action plans can be made to overcome these and further enhance Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living of the fishermen.
During the meeting, a presentation was also done on the progress made in important initiatives, compliances to the suggestions given during the last review, and the proposed enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and High Seas.
Since 2015, Government of India has stepped-up investment to Rs. 38,572 crore through various GoI schemes and programs namely Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC). India has registered an annual fish production of 195 lakh tons in 2024-25 with sectoral growth rate of more than 9%.
The meeting was attended by the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Principal Secretary to PM Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 to PM Shri Shaktikanta Das, Advisor to PM Shri Amit Khare, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and senior officials.
