The Hindu Business Line : Pawar calls for integrated approach within fisheries sector

The Union Agriculture and Food Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, on Friday emphasised the need for rededication to confront the new challenges being posed by threats such as climate changes that will have serious impact on the marine food security.

“We must move to such a regime of fisheries management that does not compromise reconciliation of conservation and livelihood issues on the one hand and national economic gains on the other”, he said inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here on Friday.

Tecnological innovations

The Minister also lauded CMFRI for taking the lead role in technological innovations such as open sea mariculture and popularisation of mussel farming as alternative livelihood options to the coastal fisher folk.

nutritional security

The fisheries sector, he said, had been playing a vital role in attaining nutritional security in India. Fish is a very affordable source of protein to millions of people in the country. The cost-effective and efficient utilisation of aquatic products demands proper processing and distribution discouraging irresponsible fishing practices.

Demand for fish and fish-related products are increasing day by day and reduction in post harvest loses can make major contribution to satisfying this demand, improving the quality and quantity for consumers and increasing incomes for the producers, he said.

foster multiple linkages

Given the emerging economic and ecological challenges, the Minister said an integrated approach that promised to foster multiple linkages within the fisheries sector was required in order to deliver comprehensive and equitable growth benefits. The new Marine Fisheries Policy formulated by the Government was a testimony to the utility of the immense scientific inputs generated through research and monitoring. The policy had taken special care of the concerns regarding the sustainability of certain resources based on stock assessment studies, he said.

A special postal cover commemorating the Diamond Jubilee was released by the Minister. He also released 10 Diamond Jubilee special publications authored by CMFRI scientists and launched the new Web site of the institute.

The Kerala Fisheries Minister, Mr S. Sharma, also spoke