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HomePosts Tagged "Sudhir Mungantiwar"
Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

Production of silver pomfret was 17, 235 tonnes in 2022, which declined by 8.45 per cent compared to 2017

Sudhir Mungantiwar the state minister of forests in Maharashtra, announced that the silver pomfret has been declared the ‘state fish’ of Maharashtra during a national conference on the Kisan Credit Card. This type of seafood is highly preferred by the coastal population of Maharashtra. The central fisheries minister, Parshottam Rupala, was present during the announcement. Mungantiwar stated that this decision will contribute to the conservation and growth of silver pomfret production in Maharashtra.

Fishermen in the state have recently expressed concern over the decline of silver pomfret due to mechanised fishing. The fish is being caught prematurely, leading to a drastic decrease in its quantity in coastal waters. Fishermen’s associations have called on the government to take action to protect the species. The decline in numbers has made it difficult to catch fully-grown silver pomfret which is known for its soft, buttery taste and popularity in Maharashtrian cuisine. The government’s decision is likely to safeguard the species and increase its catch in the state.

According to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), production of silver pomfret was 17, 235 tonnes in 2022, which declined by 8.45 per cent compared to 2017.

Pomfret was once abundant along the coasts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Thane, and Palghar districts. It can also be found in coastal areas of Satpati, Jhai, Surat, and Kutch. Establishment of the Oil production project ‘Mumbai High’, leading to the invasion of the fish’s marine habitat. Unfortunately, there has been a consistent decrease in pomfret production since the 1980s. The state government recognised the significance of this fish species and even issued postage stamps to commemorate it.

Production of silver pomfret was 17, 235

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

AgroSpectrum recently had the opportunity to speak with Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries in Maharashtra, to discuss his views on the fisheries sector. Edited excerpts:

Maharashtra is one of the major marine fish producing states in India. It has a 720 kms long coastal line spread all over the 7 maritime districts namely Thane, Palghar, Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The continental shelf area upto 40 fathoms i.e. 55,529 sq kms (50 per cent of the total continental shelf) is being exploited. There are 25 zones in the seven districts and 173 fish landings centres in the state.  During 2021-22 total fish production in Maharashtra was 5,89,436 tonnes valued at Rs 8,570 crore out of which 1,56,688 tonnes valued at Rs 1915 crore came from Inland sources and 4,32,748 tonnes valued at Rs 6,655 crore from marine sources. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from Fishery is estimated at Rs 6,300 crore. AgroSpectrum recently had the opportunity to speak with Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries in Maharashtra, to discuss his views on the fisheries sector. Edited excerpts:

Since taking office, what decisions has this government made to improve the fisheries sector, especially in the latest budget?

The Central Government announced the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which has received approval for a total estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore. This comprises a Central share of Rs 9407 crore and a State share of Rs 4880 crore for a period of 5 years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

The scheme aims for the Ecologically healthy, economically viable and socially inclusive fisheries sector that contributes towards economic prosperity and well-being of fishers, fish farmers and other stakeholders, food and nutritional security of the country in a sustainable and responsible manner.

To promote cage culture in both inland and marine sectors, the state government has issued two government resolutions, dated January 18, 2023, and January 24, 2023, respectively.

To enhance fish/prawn seed production of the state and fulfil the requirements of fish farmers, the state government has directed that the government fish/prawn seed production and rearing centres be leased out for 15 years through an e-tender process.

Is the state government taking any initiatives to grow ornamental fishery, an emerging sector that can generate jobs?

Special attention is being given to developing the ornamental fish industry in Maharashtra. The state is blessed with ideal environmental and climatic conditions for the culture of ornamental fish and Mumbai is one of the biggest markets for them.

This industry has a lot of scope for generating employment and income for rural youth. Fishes of good quality and lineage are being bred, and fish seeds are being developed for rearing and sale in the market with assistance provided under PMMSY. The beneficiary-oriented schemes in Ornamental Fisheries under PMMSY are as follows:

1)            Brood bank for ornamental fish

2)            Integrated ornamental fish breeding unit

3)            Medium-scale ornamental fish rearing unit

4)            Backyard ornamental fish rearing unit

5)            Retail outlets for ornamental fish

These schemes are being given wide publicity and information about ornamental fishes is provided in workshops and fisheries exhibitions held in various districts of the state. An ornamental fish quarantine centre is also proposed to facilitate the import of ornamental fishes in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra has enormous potential for marine exports. What are the government’s plans to increase exports of shrimp, crab, oyster mussels, other types of fish, and ornamental fish?

The marine fisheries sector, both in India and around the world, is currently facing a crisis due to stagnation in production, higher cost of operation, and low profitability, whereas the demand for seafood in domestic and export markets has been on the rise.

The PMMSY Scheme is being implemented in the state to improve the quality of exported fish and enhance exports. Under this scheme, subsidies are given for the development of deep-sea fishing vessels, modernisation of the ice plants, construction of ice plants, cold storage, refrigerated vans, insulated vehicles, etc.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

AgroSpectrum recently had the opportunity to speak

Acquaculture, India, Interaction

Experts from fisheries discussed the current issues in fisheries and way forward in the session.

“Department of Fisheries will follow up the suggestions which will emerge from Fishtech 23 conference “, said Sudhir Mungantiwar, Forest Minister Maharshtra State. He inaugurated Fishtech 23 Conference through video call organised by Maharashtra Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) at CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. As Mungantiwar could not come for the Fishtech 23 conference he shared his thoughts in video message.

In his welcome address, Ravindra Boratkar, President, MEDC informed the audience about current scenario of fisheries in the country, “Maharashtra has 4.35 lakh tonnes of marine fisheries. India’s fisheries production is 8 per cent of world production. India export 13.39 lakh tonnes fish worth Rs 57,000 crore.”

 Dr Ashish Paturkar, Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University emphasised the importance of digital technology in fisheries sector.

“New technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Real time data, etc. should be used for improved quality which is important for increasing fisheries export. Value addition is also important for increasing the export,” said Paturkar.

He also added that processing of surplus production of fish is also important as otherwise it can create pollution problem.

Ramsdas Sandhe,Chairman, Maharashtra Rajya Machhimar  Sahakari Sangh, explained the problems faced by fishermen in  Maharashtra state. He said, “One major problem is pollution of plastic, chemicals and sewage in the fisheries. As result 65 per cent fisherman have gone in their profession. Government has imposed restrictions on the strength of diesel engines which created problems for fishermen but this problem is resolved after the instructions from State Department of Fisheries   ”

Meenal Mohadikar, Vice President MEDC proposed the vote of thanks in the last session of inauguration.

Fishtech 2023 a “Sustainable Blue Revolution: Nutritional Security and Exports” event which comprises of Exhibition, conference and workshops aims to promote development and leverage of opportunities in the fisheries sector. FISHTECH 2023 evolve around fisheries business opportunities in the different regions of Maharashtra and it is a regional hub nationally as well as internationally.

 Fishtech concentrates on establishing a partnership between states and regions to promote seamless development and leverage of opportunities in the fisheries sector. The objectives of the event are to bring together stakeholders from the different parts of the Maharashtra region, public sector enterprises, and the private sector in the fisheries sector.

Experts from fisheries discussed the current issues