CCEA approves Rs 3,000 crore scheme for fisheries sector

Government approved an integrated scheme for the development and management of fisheries sector as it seeks to bring ‘blue revolution’ in the country.The scheme will benefit the entire fisheries sector covering about 14.50 million fishers.

Outlay: Rs 3,000 crore

Aim: To focuse and integrate approach for development and management of fisheries and aquaculture sector to ensure a sustained annual growth rate of 6-8 per cent in the 11th Five Year Plan period.

6 broad components of the scheme:

1. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities
2. Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
3. Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post Harvest Operations;
4. Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector
5. Institutional Arrangement for Fisheries Sector
6. Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based interventions.

Highlights:

• The components of the scheme would be implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF) with 100 per cent central funding.
• The scheme has suitable linkages and convergence with the ‘Sagarmala Project’ of Shipping Ministry, MGNAREGA, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) andNational Rural Livelihoods Mission ( NRLM) etc.
• Fish production in the country in 2014-15, while the export earnings from the sector registered at Rs 33,441 crore in 2014-15.