Odisha coasts primarily for conservation of fishery resources and to sustain the marine fisheries

Newdelhi:28/11/24:The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) is implementing uniform ban on fishing annually from 15^th April to 14^th June along the East Cost including the stretch of 480 km of Odisha coasts primarily for conservation of fishery resources and to sustain the marine fisheries. Further, the Government of Odisha has been imposing a fishing ban for the stretch of 120 km of Odisha coast (Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, Devi River mouth, Rushikulya River mouth, and Dhamara River Mouth) for the conservation of Olive Ridley turtles every year during 1^st November to 31^st May. The Government of Odisha has also informed that fleet size of Mechanised Fishing Vessels has not increased in the last two decades to reduce overfishing.

The DoF, MoFAH&D has approved proposals worth a project cost of Rs.1265.42 crore with a central share of Rs.564.00 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to the Government of Odisha and other implementing agencies for the development of fisheries and aquaculture including Marine fisheries in the state. Under the PMMSY, financial assistance is also provided to 24,000 socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families of Odisha annually for livelihood and nutritional support during fishing ban/lean period to promote conservation of the fisheries resources of Odisha. Further, establishment of 93 units of artificial reefs has been approved by the Government of Odisha for stock enhancement and promotion of sustainable marine fisheries along the Odisha coast.

During the last five years, proposals for financial assistance for 560 units with a total project cost of Rs.17.28 crore and central share of Rs.5.23 crores to the Government of Odisha were approved under PMMSY towards boats (replacement) and nets by the traditional fishermen, and central share is released based on the demand received from State Government. The Government of Odisha reported that Rs 5.025 crore has been provided for the replacement of boats and nets to 201 fishermen during the last five years.

The DoF, MoFAH&D, and  GoI have approved the proposal of the Government of Odisha for the construction of a fishing harbor at Nuagarh (Astarang), Puri District of Odisha at a cost of Rs.82.86 crore with a central share of Rs.49.716 crore under the PMMSY. The DoF, MoFAH&D, and GoI, under the central sector scheme component of PMMSY, have approved the proposal of Paradip Port Trust for modernization and up-gradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour at a cost of Rs.99.75 crore with 100% central share.

This reply was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in Rajya Sabha today.