Port Blair, Aug 19: As part of promotion of freshwater aquaculture, the Department of Fisheries distributed locally produced Indian Major Carp fish seeds at various places in N&M Andaman District. The Department during the commencement of this monsoon season successfully conducted breeding programme at Rangat, Tugapur, Mayabunder and produced 5 Lakh fish seeds for distribution among the farmers of Rangat and Mayabunder Tehsil. Considering the potential of N&M Andaman District, the A&N Administration prioritized development of freshwater aquaculture through intensive pond culture of Indian Major Carps and other commercially important freshwater fishes. For diversification of culture activities in the Islands, the Department has opened avenue for transport of commercially valuable fish seeds from mainland India by issuing Fish Transport Registration Certificate with proper quarantine standards. This has created greater impact in increase of Freshwater Aquaculture in the Islands.
The fish seed distribution was conducted in 20 villages of Swadeshnagar, Billiground, Nimbudera, Tugapur, Chainpur and Bajota Gram Panchayats and the distribution programme was conducted in the presence of Dr. K Gopal, Joint Director (Fisheries) and Shri Tapan Kumar Biswas, Assistant Director of Fisheries (N&M Andaman). The Joint Director of Fisheries during distribution briefed about the prevailing Good Management Practices (GMPs) in Aquaculture and about the pre-stocking, stocking and post stocking management of aquaculture ponds for better production and marketing of freshwater fish produce. He also congratulated the team of Department of Fisheries posted in N&M Andaman for enabling the seed production even during this erratic monsoon season.
The Assistant Director of Fisheries, N&M Andaman during the interaction with fish farmers motivated the gathering to take up the ‘Establishment of Freshwater Finfish Hatchery’ under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana wherein the Govt. of India is extending financial assistance of Rs. 15 lakh for women beneficiaries and Rs. 10 lakh for general beneficiaries with a maximum unit cost of Rs. 25 lakh per unit. This hatchery will have a minimum capacity of 15 million fry/year/unit or 6 Crore spawn/year/unit with minimum area of 0.50 Ha. He also explained the success story of freshwater fin fish hatchery established under PMMSY in Diglipur of N&M Andaman District. Such new hatcheries will help to cater to the requirement of seeds of all the areas of N&M in near future. The second round of fish seed distribution in N&M Andaman in Hanspuri, Tugapur and Billiground is scheduled to be held in the third week of August, 2024.
