The Hindu Business Line : Need for diversification in fisheries stressed

Mr V.G. Eraniappan, the recipient of Hiralal Chaudhuri Best Fish Farmer award, being felicitated by Dr K.R. Prasad (left), President, Forum of Fisheries Professionals, and Dr Mohan Joseph Modayil, Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Centre. Dr J.V.H. Dikshitulu, editor of Fishing Chimes, (extreme left) is also seen. — K.R. Deepak

Visakhapatnam , July 10

THERE is an urgent need for diversification in the fisheries sector to meet the growing competition from countries such as China, Taiwan, and Thailand and the Government should lend greater support to the sector, according to experts.

The opinion was expressed at a one-day seminar organised by the Fishing Chimes Jayasree Charitable Trust on Sunday on the occasion of awarding the annual Hiralal Chaudhuri Fish Farmer Award to Mr V.G. Eraniappan of Vandalur village near Chennai.

The award was given to Mr Eraniappan for his efforts in setting up a crab hatchery, the first commercial hatchery in the private sector, and encouraging crab culture in Tamil Nadu.

Commending his efforts, Dr Mohan Joseph Modayil, Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Centre (CMFRI), said that the fisheries sector certainly needed encouragement.

"But there are good subsidies and bad subsidies. The capture fisheries trade amount to $80 billion worldwide and the subsidies account for 15 per cent of it. It is necessary to give subsidies judiciously."

Dr T. Rajyalakshmi, former Director of the Central Institute for Brackish Water Aquaculture, said that the Government was neglecting the sector.

"Though there are so many research institutes, there is not much technology transfer. In fact, there is not even water allocation for aquaculture. There is a lot of confusion over CRZ regulations. Industry is being given preference over fisheries."

Referring to Kakinada, she said that the shallow bay was particularly suitable for the development of fisheries but the Government was hastily giving clearances to several industrial projects, many of them in violation of the CRZ regulations.

Concurring with her, Mr M. Sudarsan Swamy, President of the All-India Shrimp Hatcheries' Association, said that the Aquaculture Authority Bill had only been passed recently and the guidelines would have to be issued still.

Brood stocks of shrimp and other species would have to be nurtured to encourage diversification, he added.

Mr U.K Viswanadha Raju, President of the AP Seafood Exporters' Association, said that aqua farmers in the State were doing an excellent job but they would have to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Dr J.V.H. Dikshitulu, editor of Fishing Chimes, and Dr K.R. Prasad, President, Forum of Fisheries Professionals, praised the small farmers in the State for their efforts in boosting aqua exports.

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