Centre, coastal states team up to harness potential of marine fisheries
Jan 03, 2024
Kochi (Kerala) [India], January 3 : In a crucial move towards ensuring the sustainable growth of India's marine fisheries, the NITI Aayog is bringing together the central government and various coastal states under one roof to address critical challenges in the sector and develop a roadmap for a collective approach.
"The government's premier think tank is set to organise a high-level national workshop on harnessing the potential of fisheries in marine states at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here on January 5 to discuss relevant issues in the sector and evolve strategies for optimal utilisation of the highly prospective marine resources," as per a Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) press release.
The workshop, organised in association with CMFRI and Kerala Fisheries Department, will be attended by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and Member Prof. Ramesh Chand, along with high-ranking members from NITI Aayog, the Union Fisheries Ministry, and the fisheries departments of nine coastal states and one union territory. Government representatives from West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andaman and Nicobar will attend.
"A diverse array of key stakeholders, including policymakers from the central and state governments, leading industry experts and researchers, will attend the meet, which will serve as a platform for experience sharing between marine states, enabling open dialogue on the challenges faced and potential solutions," the release stated.
The workshop, held from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, will also deliberate on critical aspects of certification and sustainability, market linkages, value addition and seafood export, and the challenges in the fishing and seafood industry.
"This special workshop assumes greater significance as the sector demands concerted efforts and cooperation between various coastal states and the central government for unlocking the potential of India's marine wealth. The goal is to develop tailored strategies and partnerships for addressing the challenges and exploring the prospects," as per the release.
