Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 23: Additional director in the state department of fisheries, Dinesh Kumar, said that the state is currently producing 2,51,000 metric tonnes of fish every year through inland fishing. He said that the aim now is to revise the production to 6,51,000 metric tonnes.
He was speaking at the World Fisheries Day programmes organized at the fisheries college here on Sunday November 21. The programme was organized under the joint aegis of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University Bidar, Fisheries College and Union department of environment, forests and climate change.
He noted that sea fishing produces 3,47,000 metric tonnes of fish annually. However, because of a number of reasons, chances of increasing this yield are less. Therefore, we are giving encouragement to inland fisheries. Young people should pay more attention to fish farming by making use of different schemes, he exhorted.
Senior fisheries officer of United Nations food and agriculture organization, prof Iddya Karunasagar, said that fish is not only nutritious, but also packed with 15 percent protein. He predicted ample opportunities for those who get involved with this sector.
Indian Coast Guard director and inspector general, S Babu Venkatesh, felt that there is a need to regulate unauthorised and uncontrolled fishing.
A report on Blue Economics report on Karnataka was released. a video and audio clip about fishing created by the fisheries college and 'Fish Galaxy' book were unveiled.
Prof Ramesh Ramachandran, director of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, ministry of environment, forest and climate change, senior director of Nitte University, Dr Indrani Karunasagar, spoke on the occasion. Dean of fisheries college, Dr A Senthil Vel, welcomed. Additional director of fisheries department, Tippeswamy, proposed the vote of thanks. Managing director of Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation, Doddamani, Dr Anjaneyappa and others were present.
Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, minister for IT-BT, science and technology, said that fishing will be developed into a big source of income in the state by putting to use robotics and artificial intelligence. He also promised to provide special fund to Mangalore cluster under Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, and Keonics will establish software park here. He also said that single window system will be introduced and satellite based services will be started in far off places.