Sri Vijaya Puram, July 10: The Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration celebrated National Fish Farmers Day today at the Fisheries Training Centre (FTC), Marine Hill, Sri Vijaya Puram, recognising the invaluable contribution of fish farmers towards enhancing fish production, ensuring food and nutritional security, generating employment and promoting sustainable aquaculture in the Islands.
The programme was inaugurated by Ms. Jagtap Kalyani Rajendra, Director of Fisheries, in the presence of fish farmers from South Andaman, Area Fishery Officers, Sagar Mitras and officials of the Department of Fisheries. The celebration provided an important platform for interaction between fish farmers, scientists and departmental officials to discuss the latest technological interventions and emerging opportunities in the aquaculture sector.
Addressing the gathering, the Director of Fisheries lauded the dedication, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the fish farmers of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in adopting scientific aquaculture practices. She particularly appreciated the pioneering efforts of island farmers in initiating commercial shrimp farming, which marks a significant milestone in the diversification of aquaculture activities in the Islands. She further highlighted the recent achievements of the Department in promoting mariculture through open sea cage culture and seaweed farming, describing these as sustainable livelihood options that have immense potential for enhancing coastal incomes, generating employment and reducing pressure on capture fisheries.
A major highlight of the programme was the formal inauguration of the Freshwater Fish Seed Distribution Programme for the 2026 season, marking the commencement of fish seed supply to freshwater fish farmers across the Islands. During the programme, 18 fish farmers from South Andaman received quality seed of Indian Major Carps for stocking in their ponds, which is expected to further strengthen freshwater aquaculture production in the district.
Another important feature of the event was the distribution of Coastal Aquaculture Registration Certificates to entrepreneurs engaged in cage culture and shrimp farming in South Andaman. The certificates signify compliance with the statutory provisions governing coastal aquaculture and reaffirm the Department’s commitment towards promoting responsible, regulated and sustainable aquaculture practices in the Islands.
The celebration also featured an informative technical session delivered by Dr. Jess Maria Wilson and Dr. Chittaranjan Raul, Fisheries Scientists from ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI). The programme concluded with a vote of thanks extended by Shri Shaji Thomas, Supt. of Fisheries.
