A five-year perspective plan prepared at a stakeholder consultation on Monday has set a target of increasing Lakshadweep’s annual tuna and tuna-like fish production to 50,000 tonnes, more than doubling the current catch.

Aimed at creating livelihood opportunities for island fishing communities, the plan envisages a range of proposals, including expansion of deep-sea tuna fishing, mariculture, seaweed farming and infrastructure development.

The stakeholder meeting held at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) was attended by representatives from the Union Fisheries Department, Lakshadweep Fisheries Department, , National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), CMFRI, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and other fisheries agencies, along with fishermen, fisheries entrepreneurs, and presidents of fishermen’s cooperative societies from Lakshadweep.

A strategic guiding document for fisheries development in Lakshadweep over the coming years, the plan prioritises interventions in marine fisheries, mariculture, post-harvest management, value addition, marketing, infrastructure, capacity building and entrepreneurship development under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

50 new deep-sea fishing vessels

It includes inducting 50 new deep-sea fishing vessels below 24 metre, launching seaweed cultivation across 5 sq km and 10 medium scale ornamental fish rearing units among others. Emphasising on the importance of sea-based economy, the plan moots promoting numerous small projects benefiting local fishers and self-help groups.

Seaweed cultivation and ornamental fish culture hold immense potential in the archipelago, supported by its vast 4,200 sq. km lagoon area, 20,000 sq. km of territorial waters, and the rich diversity of more than 300 ornamental reef fish species.

Sport and recreational fishing boats have also been suggested in the plan, in view of expanding tourism projects across the islands.

Infrastructure

Major infrastructure proposals include new boat building yards, adequate cold storage facilities, 50 value addition units, two mother vessels, improved cold chain and marine mechanical workshops. In addition, a series of measures for modernising the fishing fleet was also proposed.

Other proposals include strengthening fisher cooperatives, SHGs,, fish farmer producer organisatins, women entrepreneurs and community-based developments.

CMFRI has been designated as the nodal agency by the Union Fisheries Department for preparing the perspective plan in view of its longstanding association with fisheries planning and management in Lakshadweep.
Inaugurating the meeting, Lakshadweep Fisheries Secretary Raj Tilak IFS said enhancing fish production would be the government’s top priority over the next five years. CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George, who presided, said Lakshadweep’s rich marine resources remain underutilised and added that CMFRI would play a lead role in driving the sustainable development of the sector by providing technical support for the expansion of mariculture, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fish breeding and other innovative fisheries-based livelihood initiatives.

Union Fisheries Development Commissioner Dr Mohamed Koya and NFDB Senior Executive Dr Kanchi Bhargavi among others spoke on the occasion.