PANJIM: Union Minister of State for Fisheries Dr L Murugan on Monday said that the fish production in the State increased by 25 per cent and income by 40 per cent since last two years, even as fisheries sector improved substantially.
Dr Murugan was speaking at the World Fisheries Day celebrations organised by the Directorate of Fisheries at Miramar. Fisheries Minister Nilkhant Halarnkar was also present.
Highlighting the achievements in the fishing sector, Dr Murugan said that Goa is known for tourism as well as fisheries. “Earlier, there was no Ministry for fisheries but Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a separate Ministry for the fisheries sector and since then in a short span of time the potential of the sector has been realised,” he added.
He further informed that for the development of the fishermen and fishing sector the government has introduced various schemes/policies, adding that during Covid-19 pandemic also the fisheries production was not discontinued due to government initiatives.
Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, he said through this scheme for the first time the government has invested Rs 20 crore in the sector. The Government of India is focusing more on modernising the fishing harbours and seaweed cultivation is another aspect where the government is laying more emphasis.
He informed that across the county four fishing harbours will be modernised on par with international standards. The government is focusing on empowering fisherwomen and promoting entrepreneurship, he added.
