TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Sunday announced to contemplate the possibility of having uniform fishing ban across the western coast states during the next monsoon season onwards, along with calling for a “blue revolution” in the fishing sector.
Addressing media persons in the State Sunday morning, Singh said that he will be calling for a joint meeting of Chief Ministers and Fisheries Ministers of all the western coast states, to call on the ban period, which will be uniform. The decision would be taken before the next monsoon season, which is a breading period for fishes.
“Some states on the western coast have 45-day ban while in some it is 61 days. There is no uniformity. Before the next monsoon season, I will meet the State fisheries minister so that there is uniform fishing ban on the west coast,” Singh said, after meeting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and officials from agriculture, horticulture and fisheries department. During their meeting held on Saturday, the issue about fishing ban was raised before the minister.
The Union minister said that the new government emphasize is on preserving the marine resources and hence it is working on a plan for blue revolution. “The fisheries sector along the coastal belt is having great potential for development. We are looking for introducing blue revolution in the sector,” he said.
Singh, who was in Goa for a two-day visit, said that focus would be laid on Goa for improving its fish production and whatever best facilities would be extended.
Since last one year, the fishing ban period in Goa has been extended from 30 days to 61 days, which was initially highly objected by the fishing communities. Government had given relaxation to the traditional fishing communities while putting a complete ban on fishing through modern technology. Fishing through modern technology during the monsoon is prohibited as it is the breeding period for fishes.
The minister said that over the last two years, the State government has not received any support from the Central government in agriculture, fisheries and dairy sectors. “I have assured the State government of full cooperation to increase production in agriculture, fisheries sectors. Centre will release timely funds to the State under various schemes,” he added.
