Centre keen on promoting mariculture

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, who presided over it, said the government has included a sub-component of assistance for deep-sea fishing under the Blue Revolution Scheme. Under this scheme, traditional fishermen, their associations would be provided with Central financial assistance of up to 50 per cent of the cost of vessels, that is Rs 40 lakh for ‘deep-sea fishing vessels.’ For implementation of this scheme, Rs 312 crore of Union government’s share was released during 2017-18, he said.

Open sea cage farming was one of the eco-friendly activities under mariculture, which is being practiced where wave action is less. The fishes, which are being cultured in cages, are high value fishes and hence there is a huge export demand for cage cultured fishes, he said.

During the schedule, he said Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF) had formulated a document on Mission Mariculture-2022 with the main objective of enhancing fish production from marine sector. With active participation of fishers, it was proposed to promote mariculture including open sea cage culture activity in all maritime states and union territories on priority basis, he added.