Bhubaneswar, June 10 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the government is working to finalise a comprehensive policy to accelerate growth in the fisheries sector.

The state government has targetted to enhance the marine food production to Rs.10,000 crore in the next five years.

"Odisha has produced 4.67 lakh tonnes of fish last year, which is an increase by 13 percent over the previous period," Patnaik said, addressing a workshop on Opportunities for Fisheries Sector in Bhubaneswar.

"The seafood export growth rate was 26 percent during the year 2014-15, which is a record so far," the chief minister said.

He said the goal to increase the production and conservation of aquatic resources would be achieved through production of quality seeds, technological interventions, human resources development, training of fisher folk and other stakeholders.

Maintaining that Odisha has a long coastline and the state is blessed with abundant inland water resources, Patnaik said the state has a great potential for development of inland, brackish water as well as marine fisheries, which now provides livelihood to more than 14 lakh fishermen.

Besides, the government has made provision of subsidy up to 50 percent for pond development and leasing of 50 percent of the suitable brackish water to beneficiaries of anti-poverty programmes, self help group, marginal farmers, BPL, the chief minister added.

"Establishment of National Fresh Water Fish Brood Bank in Odisha will help the fishermen to get quality seeds," said Patnaik.