Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 07: Chairman S. U. Maheswar Rao, Andaman & Nicobar Fisheries Cooperative Federation Ltd. (ANIFCOFED), and B. Hema Raju, General Secretary, Fishermen Welfare Association, have conveyed their heartiest congratulations and warm wishes to Dr. Dinesh Sharma on his appointment as the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
On behalf of the fishermen and the fisheries cooperative sector of the Islands, they expressed confidence that Dr. Sharma’s administrative experience and development-oriented leadership will provide new momentum to the fisheries sector and improve the livelihood and welfare of the fishing community.
The fisheries sector has significant potential for growth in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, particularly in deep-sea fishing, tuna fisheries, modern fishing harbours, fish landing centres, cold-chain infrastructure, fish processing, value addition, seafood exports, aquaculture and fisheries cooperatives.
They urged that special attention may be given to strengthening fisheries infrastructure, improving facilities for fishermen at fish landing centres, modernising fishing harbours, promoting deep-sea fishing and tuna development, and creating better marketing and export opportunities for locally produced seafood.
They also highlighted the importance of modern fishing vessels, cold storage and ice facilities, improved transportation and logistics, fishermen welfare measures, skill development and access to Government fisheries schemes for the sustainable development of the sector.
The fisheries representatives expressed their willingness to extend full cooperation to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the A&N Administration in all initiatives aimed at the development and welfare of fishermen and the fisheries cooperative movement.
