Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Jul 10: K Abhaychandra Jain, state minister for fisheries, on Thursday July 10 said that trade contracts would be given to fishermen directly and not to any federation representing them.
Speaking after inaugurating 'Fish Farmers' Day 2014' at Professor H P C Shetty auditorium, Fisheries College here, he said, A fisheries federation in Mysore has been involved in fish trade, and as a result, fishermen have been suffering a lot as a major portion of the profit rate went to the federation and very little to the fishermen.
"The state government has passed a bill requiring the fish trade contract to be given to the fishermen themselves and not to federations. Also, under the bill, if a federation wants trade contract, it has to give 50 percent of the catch back to the fishermen," he added.
'Fish Farmers' Day 2014' was organized by the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Fisheries College, Mangalore, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad and Professional Fisheries Graduates' Forum. The programme was presided over by Dr K M Shankar, dean, Fisheries College.
The event was officially launched by lighting the auspicious lamp by the minister and other dignitaries present on the dais.
Abhaychandra Jain further said, "The government has officially declared July 10 as the Fish Farmers' Day, after Dr Hiralal Chaudhary and Dr Ali Kunhi, scientists who had successfully conducted induced breeding in Indian major carp fish in 1957. It is my utmost duty to attend this programme, being the minister for fisheries, despite having the session in Lok Sabha."
He added, "Earlier the fishermen were given kerosene subsidized by the ration department, but the government has strictly warned not to give away the ration items reserved for fishermen to any department. The CM has also released funds to make sure that the fishermen get kerosene and diesel in time. Rs 63 crore has been granted by the CM for the benefit of the fishermen to avoid diesel and kerosene shortage.
"More than 3.50 lac metric tons of fishing has been taking place in our coastal belt every year. The annual fisheries export stands at Rs 1,210 crore. More number of private firms are coming forward to develop and maintain fish breeds, which will indeed boost the fisheries business in the coast," he said, adding that Fisheries College has given its best to the fishing industry.
"We have received more than 500 applications for permission to operate deep sea fishing boats, but we have not approved any, for the reason that boats that go for deep sea fishing also carry out inland fishing which is likely to hit the breeding of fishes in the coast," said the minister.
The minister also said that Rs 4 crore has been kept aside for the development of Fisheries College, out of which Rs 1.5 crore has already been spent. He assured that the proposals put forth by the college would be accepted and the college would either get national recognition or be made a university.
Dr H Shivanand Murthy delivered the keynote address and Dr Shivakumar M welcomed the gathering.
A special lecture on fisheries was delivered by Ganesh Yaala, vice-president of Accenture, Bangalore.
Dr S M Shivaprakash, extensional director, KVAFSU, Bidar was the chief guest. Dr H Shivananda Murthy, professor and HoD, water cultivation, Fisheries College and Dr Shivakumar M, professor and secretary- PFGF, Fisheries College were also present on the occasion, alongwith leaders of fishing community, fishermen and students were present in large numbers.