A pivotal development unfolded as Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, chaired the 10th Governing Body Meeting of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This crucial gathering, attended by eminent dignitaries, focused on comprehensive strategies for advancing the fisheries sector.
Key attendees included Dr. Seediri Appalaraju, Minister of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Mankal S Vaidya, Minister of Fisheries and Ports, Govt of Karnataka, and fisheries officials from Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. Additionally, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary DoF, Smt. Neetu Kmari Prasad, Joint Secretary DoF, and Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Chief Executive, NFDB, actively participated in the discussions.
Shri Parshottam Rupala commended NFDB as a leading national organization, highlighting its impactful contributions and dedication. He emphasized the need for NFDB to examine a separate percentage allocation for traditional fishermen in consultation with stakeholders, addressing concerns related to their welfare.
The Union Minister stressed the significance of fishmeal production, akin to shrimp culture, citing its high demand in the export market. He called for the formulation of policies to explore infrastructure development for fish meal, deep-sea fishing, boats, and traditional processing units. The need for expeditious implementation of infrastructure schemes under the fisheries sector, particularly in Haryana and Maharashtra, was underscored.
Shri Rupala reviewed the progress on the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, a central sector project under PMMSY with a total project cost of Rs. 151.81 crore. He interacted with fishermen associations, urging collaboration with Port Trust to identify necessary components for the Fishing Harbour. The Minister directed the completion of the project by October 2025.
The Fisheries Minister of Andhra Pradesh highlighted the need for flexibility in unit cost bifurcation for crafts and suggested separate schemes for platinum rope for boats and craft insurance. He applauded the positive impact of PMMSY schemes on fishers’ livelihoods and proposed modifications to unit costs for deep-sea fishing vessels.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi praised NFDB’s outreach efforts and advocated for the creation of a digital platform to provide work identities for fish workers. The Chief Executive of NFDB provided an overview of the board’s activities during 2022-23, including outreach programs, project clearances, and initiatives in Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
Thirteen nominated Non-official GB Members from various States/UTs shared their insights on issues faced by fishermen and underscored the importance of sector development, especially for the fishermen community.
The meeting concluded with a special review of government schemes implemented in Andhra Pradesh by the Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries. He urged the acceleration of large infrastructure projects and addressed procedural delays in sanctioning loans for the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fishers and fish farmers.
The comprehensive meeting laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration and strategic initiatives in the fisheries sector, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and the well-being of fishing communities.
