Inland fish production increased to 121.21 lakh tonnes per annum in 2021-22

New Delhi: “Sagar Parikrama” is a transformative voyage planned in the water across the coastal belt to show solidarity with the fisher folk, fish farmers, and related stakeholders in the spirit of the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

It is a Government of India’s initiative aimed at resolving the issues of fishers and other stakeholders and facilitating their economic and overall upliftment through various schemes and programmes of fisheries implemented by the Government of India, such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), FIDF and KCC.

The expansion of inland fish production, primarily driven by aquaculture, has been spectacular. Inland fish production increased 400 percent from 28.23 lakh tonnes per year in 2000-01 to 121.21 lakh tonnes per year in 2021-22.Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase VII which started from 8^th June 2023 from Madakkara, Kerala, and covered the places are like Pallikkara, Bekal, Kanhangadu, Kasaragode, touched Mahe (Puducherry), Kozhikode district on 9^th June 2023, Thrissur district of Kerala on 10^th June 2023, reached cochin on 11^th June 2023 and has concluded today at Trivandrum by covering entire coastal regions of Kerala.

Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase VII was a great success as it continued for five days starting from 8^th June to 12^th June 2023 with an aim to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government; demonstrating solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to promote responsible fisheries with focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities.

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying emphasized about focusing on increasing fisheries production, productivity, and its associated activities, including infrastructure development, marketing, exports, and institutional arrangements, etc. Further, beneficiaries are like fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders were felicitated with Kisan Credit Card and QR Code Aadhar Card/E-Shram Card. In all around approx. 5,000 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars participated in the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places.

In all around today approx. 4,500 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars attended physically the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places of which approx. 2800 fisherwomen participated, and the program were live streamed on various social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

Overall, approx. 21,500 beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers, fisher women and other stakeholders contributed and participated in Sagar Parikrama Phase VII during 5 days from across entire coastal region of Kerala. Sagar Parikrama is contributing to disseminate information on fisheries related schemes/programs implemented by government, showcasing the best practices, promote responsible fisheries and demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolks and concerned stakeholders. Also, the interaction with fishers, fishermen and other stakeholders is helping to understand the problems and concerns in the fisheries sector at ground level.

Upcoming Sagar Parikrama phases will inspire and create impactful effort to address the concerns of fishermen and encourage them in availing various schemes including PMMSY and KCC for their betterment.