Itanagar: Khandu releases Coffee Table Book ‘Glimpses of Fisheries in Arunachal Pradesh’
Itanagar
On the occasion of World Fisheries Day, 21st November 2019, Chief Minister, Pema Khandu released Coffee Table Book of department of fisheries, titled ‘Glimpses of Fisheries in Arunachal Pradesh’ in presence of Tage Taki, Minister (Fisheries), A.R. Talwade, IAS, Secretary (Fisheries), Dr. M. Surya Prakash, PCCF, Department of Environment and Forests, Joyshil Taba, Director of Fisheries, Prof. D.N. Das, Dept. of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Smti. Moyir Riba, Centre for Cultural Research and Documentation and the Departmental Officers.
Chief Minister congratulated the Department on World Fisheries Day and appreciated the endeavor in bringing out the book. He also enquired about the current status of the fisheries in the state, threat to fisheries and the effects of introduction of exotic fishes on the indigenous fishes, ways to increase production of fish and fish seed in the state and the issues faced by the Department. He noted that for income generation and entrepreneurship, fisheries should serve as an important sector. He further suggested to explore marketing of locally produced fishes to Defense services of the state which will be a ready market of the produce and the famers will also be benefitted by the way.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister assured his full support and cooperation for all-round development of this sector and for the welfare of the farmers and the Department. He requested Minister Fisheries to take up the measures to strengthen the sector and work for the welfare and betterment of the farmers.
Minister (Fisheries) stated that Fisheries is an important sector in order to uplift the economy of the state, as the state has both the required potential and demand of fish. He expressed concern on the fact that destructive fishing methods should be discouraged for sustainable fisheries development and opined that proper awareness should be generated among the masses about the ill effects of destructive fishing, habitat destruction and over-exploitation.
Prof. D.N. Das explained the importance of World Fisheries Day. He quoted that the World Fisheries Day is celebrated in order to highlight the critical importance of fisheries and growing threat to fish stocks of fisheries in the world. It commemorates the day when World Forum of Fish Harvests & Fish Workers came together in New Delhi on 21st Nov’1997 and World Fisheries Forum (WFF) was established.
Secretary Fisheries highlighted that the state has high potential in Fisheries and involvement of cooperative societies and private entrepreneurs will boost up fish production in the state.
PCCF, Department of Environment and Forests and former Commissioner of the Department, congratulated the Department and stated that the state has 259 fish species and fish being the cheapest source of protein should be encouraged as a source of food and also for income generation. He further suggested to adapt best aquaculture practices and to exploit cold water fisheries potential for socio-economic development of fish farmers.
Director of Fisheries emphasized on the importance of fish based eco-tourism and stocking of fish seeds in lakes and other open water bodies for boosting production of fish. He also informed that the ornamental fishery has much scope in the state which needs to be encouraged. He also thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the present Government for providing much needed boost up of the sector by announcing ‘Mukhya Mantri Neel Kranti Abhyan’ in the budget announcement during current financial year.
