The Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, presided over the 10th Governing Body Meeting organized by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The meeting witnessed the participation of key fisheries officials from various states, highlighting the collaborative efforts to address challenges and foster the holistic development of the fisheries sector.
The meeting was graced with the presence of Dr. Seediri Appalaraju, Minister of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh; Mankal S Vaidya, Minister of Fisheries and Ports, Govt of Karnataka; and fisheries officials from Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary DoF, Neetu Kmari Prasad, Joint Secretary DoF, and Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Chief Executive, NFDB, were also notable attendees.
Acknowledging NFDB's Contribution
Parshottam Rupala commended NFDB as one of the premier national-level organizations, highlighting its exceptional contributions, activities, and dedication. He emphasized NFDB's role in disseminating and implementing government initiatives and policies for the comprehensive development of the fisheries sector. The minister particularly stressed the need for a flexible approach to address the concerns of traditional fishermen, considering the diverse experiences of different states.
Focus on Fishmeal Production
The Union Minister underscored the significance of fishmeal production, akin to the success of MP culture, which experiences high demand in the export market. He called for the formulation of policies to explore infrastructure development for fish meals, deep-sea fishing, boats, traditional processing units, and seed requirements. The minister urged the states, especially Haryana and Maharashtra, to expedite the establishment of fish markets for enhanced domestic marketing, leveraging NFDB's technical support.
Reviewing Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour
Rupala interacted with fisherman associations and advised coordination with the Port Trust for identifying essential components in the Fishing Harbour. The minister directed the completion of the project by October 2025.
The Fisheries Minister of Andhra Pradesh highlighted the state's dependence on Fishing Harbours and proposed bifurcation in unit costs for crafts, emphasizing the need for separate schemes for platinum ropes and craft insurance. He lauded the benefits of PMMSY schemes, urging considerations for insurance for fishing vessels, modifications in unit costs, and increased support for deep-sea fishing vessels.
NFDB's Grassroots Initiatives
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi praised NFDB's initiatives in reaching grassroots levels through various outreach programs. He emphasized the need for a digital platform to provide work identities for fish workers, business management initiatives, and the implementation of climate-resilient fisheries technologies.
NFDB's Activities and Outreach
The Chief Executive of NFDB provided a comprehensive overview of the organization's activities during 2022-23. This included outreach programs, clearance of proposals, innovative projects, and initiatives in Fisheries Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs), entrepreneurship models, training, and capacity building.
Thirteen nominated non-official GB members from different states/UTs attended the meeting, sharing insights into the issues faced by fishermen and emphasizing the need for sector development, especially for the fishing community.
Special Review of Government Schemes in Andhra Pradesh
The meeting concluded with a special review of government schemes implemented in Andhra Pradesh. The Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, directed the acceleration of large infrastructure projects, addressing procedural delays in sanctioning loans for FIDF and KCC to fishers and fish farmers.
The secretary also highlighted the progress in initiatives like KCC card issuance, Sagar Parikrama Phase 'X,' and the planning of KCC camps for the pre-saturation activities and distribution of certificates under various schemes like PMMSY and KCC.
