Port Blair, Feb 24: In an interview with our correspondent Mr. Vishal Jolly, NEM, BJP and Chairman EMC, BJP said that Andaman & Nicobar Islands is on its way to becoming the fishing hub of the country. The A&N Islands have vast potential for fisheries development due to their Coastal length of about 1,962 km and Continental shelf area of 35,000 Sq Km.
The Exclusive Economic Zone around these Islands is about 6,00,000Sq Km with an estimated Fishery potential of 1.48 lakh MT which is 3.8% of our Country’s total Fishery Potential.
The Islands have very significant marine fishery resources including lucrative fisheries of Tuna fishes and other species of commercial value such as groupers, snappers, and other reef fishes.
However, the Marine Fish production of the Islands is much less than the resources available. This is mainly due to the non-availability of Infrastructure, suitable boats, and Skilled Manpower.
Thus, considering the need for effective policy and roadmap for sector development, the central government decided to make an Island-specific fisheries policy in 2018.
Lack of policy directives and guiding principles was a big hurdle for the fisheries sector.
The scheme strives to ensure the health and ecological integrity of the Marine Living Resources of A&N Islands and the Exclusive Economic Zone through sustainable harvest for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Fisheries Policy is expected to meet the multidimensional and growing needs of the Marine Fisheries, Mariculture activities, Coastal Aquaculture and Freshwater for upcoming decades.
Due to such efforts by the Central Government, fish production reached 40000 tonnes in 2019-20. Such policy formation and its result show that Prime Minister NarendraModi has understood that the fisheries sector has a lot of potential to generate employment at the A&N Islands. Two major fish markets of Port Blair i.e. Mohanpura and Junglighat got modernized.
Considering the importance of the sector, the BJP has mentioned in its manifesto for upcoming local body Elections that New Training Centers will be established for specialized training on repairing and maintenance of Tourist and Fishing boats. Through such initiatives, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will become the fishing hub in the near future.
