The Hindu Business Line : AP fishermen told to take the lead in fisheries export

Dr K.R. Prasad, President of the Forum of Fisheries Professionals, addressing a seminar on fisheries in Visakhapatnam on Friday, as Mr D. Srinivasulu, Vice-Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, Dr K. Devadasan, Director of CIFT, and Mr R. Balakrishnan, Joint Director, look on. - K.R. Deepak

Visakhapatnam, July 23

ANDHRA PRADESH, ranking first in aquaculture in the country, should make further strides in the sector and enable the country's fisheries exports to touch the Rs 10,000-crore mark, said Dr K. Davidson, the Director of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi.

Presiding over the one-day seminar on sustainable fisheries development (with focus on Andhra Pradesh) organised by the CIFT here on Friday, he said Andhra Pradesh was ranking first in coastal aquaculture, second in inland fish production, fifth in marine fish production and third in total fish production. Still, there was a long way to go and the State should take the lead in boosting exports. The State should aim at a production level of one million tonnes.

Dr Davidson said the proposal for a separate fisheries ministry at the central level was welcomed and the Government should act on it soon to give a fillip to the sector. Fisheries is a State subject and, therefore, the CIFT was organising seminars in all the major coastal States and stressing the need to improve the sector.

Mr R. Balarishnan, the Joint Director dealing with fisheries exports, said exports from the State amounted to Rs 2,500 crore, mostly through aquaculture. The quality control stipulations were being rigorously implemented and, therefore, the complaints from the importers of Indian marine products abroad were coming down.

"Previously, there were often complaints of anti-biotic residues in marine products. But the MPEDA and other agencies have succeeded in persuading farmers to go in for pro-biotics only," he said.

Mr D. Srinivasulu, the Vice-Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, suggested that fish-selling outlets be set up in the important centres of the city. He said the authority would provide land for the purpose. He also sought improvements for the traditional fishermen. Dr K.R Prasad, the President of the Forum of Fisheries Professionals, Visakhapatnam, welcomed the proposal and said the association would strive for setting up marketing outlets.

More Stories on : Aquaculture | Exports & Imports | Andhra Pradesh

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