The Hindu Business Line : Need for strategic planning in fisheries sector stressed

There is a need for strategic planning in fisheries sector for the next 20 years, according to Dr Mohan Joseph, Director of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a symposium on `Sustainable fisheries development for food and health security' - organised by the College of Fisheries and College of Fisheries Alumni Association - in Mangalore on Wednesday, he said that the strategic planning should be a knowledge- and information-based one. Scientists and planners should come out with models in this regard.

Sunrise sector

Stating that fisheries will be a sunrise sector for the country, he said the priority should be given to increase the profitability from fisheries sector.

Dr R.N. Srinivasa Gowda, Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar, said that the annual requirement of fish in India would be 10 million tonnes by 2020. By then, the fish-eating population would be around 650 million.

Annual fish output

Currently, the annual fish production in the country is six million tonnes. Of this, the contribution of inland fisheries is 3.2 million tonnes.

Terming fisheries as one of the promising and progressive sectors of the country's economy, he said it provides direct employment to 6.7 million people in the country.

Policy approach

He said the policy towards fish resource utilisation should be based on eco-system approach and dependence on natural fish stocks. "Our exploitation of natural stocks should be based on the principles of maintenance and establishment of healthy populations of target species, and on the maintenance of the integrity of the ecosystem," he said.

Dr Gowda also stressed the need to have a system for certification of fish stocks for sustainability.

Prof K.M. Kaveriappa, Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University, asked the experts to study the impact of interlinking of rivers on fisheries sector.

More Stories on : Aquaculture | Karnataka

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