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Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department (Fisheries)
POLICY NOTE 2002-2003
DEMAND No. 7
INTRODUCTION
The State of Tamilnadu has a coastal length of 1076 KM., which constitutes about 15% of India’s coastal line. There are 591 fishing villages in 13 coastal Districts in Tamilnadu starting from Tiruvallur to Kanniyakumari District. 3.48 lakh fishermen and 3.31 lakh fisherwomen totalling 6.79 lakh are living in these coastal fishing villages. The literacy rate is 66%. About 2.70 lakh marine fishermen are actively engaged in fishing. The above marine fishermen are eking out their livelihood by fishing in the continental shelf of 41,412 Sq.KM. engaging 8500 mechanised fishing crafts and 41,000 traditional crafts. About 3.70 lakh M.T. of fish are caught in Coramandal coast, Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar coast throughout the year.
During the calendar year 2001, the State earned Rs.2015.48 crores as foreign exchange by exporting marine products of 55,160 M.T.
During the last year, 60,000 fishermen living in inland fishing villages, have harvested 1.14 lakh M.T. of fish in the water spread area of 3.70 lakh hectares comprising reservoirs, rivers, tanks and ponds in the State of Tamilnadu.
The Tamilnadu Fisheries Department implements various welfare schemes to fishermen viz., the scheme for the development of marine and inland fish production, schemes for upliftment of socio economic standards of fishing community, conservation of marine fishery resources, development of infrastructure through provision of fishing harbour and landing jetties.
Fisheries Policy – Objectives
The State policy aims at overall development of fisheries and welfare of fishermen community. The objectives of Fisheries Department are;
- 1. To encourage the fishermen to augment the aquatic resource production in the inshore and off shore areas by conservation measures.
- 2. To increase the marine fishery resources by conservation and establishing artificial reefs along the coast.
- 3. To uplift the socio economic conditions of the fisher folk by implementing welfare schemes.
- 4. To generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for fisher folk and rural masses.
- 5. To increase the fish production in the inland water areas.
- 6. To introduce integrated fish farming techniques as a diversified method.
- 7. To popularise fish culture for rational utilization of unutilized inland waterbodies.
1. FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT MISSION
State of Tamilnadu having a long coastal line has a rich fish potential to produce 3.7 lakh M.T. in the inshore waters and 1.2 lakh M.T. in the offshore waters. To promote sustainable eco friendly coastal aquaculture and to bring more water areas for increased marine and inland fish production and export, the Government have proposed to form Fisheries Development Mission. In order to increase the per capita income of small marine fishermen, due attention and care will be taken for the development of inshore fishery wealth. This mission will explore the possibility of increasing inland fish production by formulating suitable schemes and techniques such as fish culture in the water bodies in the unutilised mines, quarries, etc., establishment of integrated fish farm in paddy fields and establishment of model fishing villages. This mission will have an apex committee comprising members from technical institutions and experts. It will evolve strategies and suggest suitable measures to Government for achieving the goal of fisheries development by increasing marine and inland fish production, introducing composite fish culture, conservation of fishery wealth, strengthening of infrastructure facilities and increase the export of marine products.
2. MARINE FISHERIES
2.1. Motorisation of Traditional Crafts
This scheme extends assistance to fishermen in motorisation of traditional crafts by installation of inboard engines and outboard motors in vallams and catamarans. The expenditure on this scheme is equally shared by State and Centre. Under this scheme, 50% cost of engine subject to a ceiling of Rs.12,000/- for inboard engines or Rs.10,000/- for outboard motors is given as subsidy. The balance 50% cost is to be borne by the beneficiary. The traditional fishermen are also given a subsidy of Rs.6,000/- per individual for the purchase of fishing net under the scheme. From 1987-1988 to 2000-2001, 13,925 engines and 2886 fishing nets have been distributed to the traditional fishermen. The subsidy sanctioned for the year 2001-2002 for the supply of engines to 1500 fishermen and fishnets to 908 fishermen will be distributed. This scheme will continue during 2002-2003.
2.2. Reimbursement of Central Excise Duty on HSD Oil
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 80% Central share and 20% State share to reimburse Central excise duty on diesel used by mechanized fishing vessels having length of less than 20 metres is implemented by the State Government. Under this scheme for the year 2001-2002, the Central Government has released a sum of Rs. 1.171 crore and the State Government has sanctioned Rs.50.00 lakhs and thus released a sum of Rs.1.671 crores. 2500 mechanised fishing boats fishermen have been benefitted under this scheme
2.3. Inshore Fishing
The use of trawl nets and purse-seine nets for fishing in inshore waters, have destroyed the flora and fauna in the seabed. Hence to reduce the fishing pressure in the inshore areas and to fish beyond 10 nautical miles in the sea, intermediary craft will be introduced.
3. DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES
3.1. Construction of Fishing Harbour and Landing Jetties
A survey will be undertaken to explore the possibilities of constructing fishing harbour, fish landing centres, T jetty, Groyne, in selected areas during this year.
A fishing harbour constructed with all facilities at a cost of Rs.6.84 crores at Chinnamuttom in Kanniyakumari District is now used by the fishermen.
A revised proposal prepared to construct a fishing harbour at Rameswaram at a cost of Rs.55.25 crores has been sent to Government of India for approval.
In regard to Pazhayar Fishing Harbour Stage-2, a proposal is under the consideration of the Government of India at an estimated cost of Rs.10.60 crores. After getting Environmental clearance from the Government of India, the work will be carried out.
A proposal for the establishment of fishing harbour at Poompuhar in Nagapattinam District at a total cost of Rs.40 crores with financial assistance from State and Central Governments is under consideration.
For the establishment of a fishing harbour at Thengapattinam in Kanniyakumari District a report on a model study has been received and a detailed estimate and design for the fishing harbour project is under preparation by the Central Government Agency at Bangalore.
3.2. Fish Landing Centres
Government of India has approved the construction of 10 fish landing centres with all infrastructure facilities at an estimated cost of Rs.13.232 crores. So far a sum of Rs.7.623 crores has been sanctioned. The entire amount will be shared equally by State and Central Governments.
4. SEA SAFETY MEASURES TO THE FISHER FOLK
4.1. Relief to Marine Fishermen
Due to adverse weather condition like cyclone, water current and due to engine failure, the mechanised fishing boats and crew cross the International Boundary Line and get drifted and stranded in Srilankan waters. For crossing the International Boundary Line they are taken into the custody by SriLankan Authority. In the absence of the breadwinner, the families of those fishermen experience difficulties to run their family. In order to alleviate the sufferings of those families, the Government in 1998-99 initiated a scheme under which the family of the fisherman is given Rs.50/- per day till the fisherman returns home. In order to provide immediate relief to fishermen families adequate funds will be released to the concerned coastal District Collectors. During 2001-2002, 109 fishermen families were benefitted under this scheme. This scheme will be continued during 2002-2003 and will be extended during this financial year to the Tamilnadu fishermen who are arrested by any other country.
4.2. Palk Bay and Strait
The fishermen of Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram Districts (including Rameswaram) in the Palk Bay area are fishing in the Indian territorial waters. On certain occasions they happen to cross the IBL (International Boundary Line) inadvertently and at times due to engine troubles and adverse weather conditions they are drifted into SriLankan waters. Such Indian fishermen crossing the IBL are subjected to attack by the SriLankan Navy. All such incidents are brought to the notice of the Government of India in order to take up the matter with the Govt. of Srilanka. The Government of Tamilnadu sanction a sum of Rs.1 lakh as relief from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to the families of deceased fishermen. During the year 2001-2002, three fishermen families were benefitted under this scheme. This scheme will be continued during the year 2002-2003.
4.3. Providing Life Jacket
In marine fishing, loss of life caused by accidents is increasing day by day. Besides this, the harassment by Srilankan Navy also aggravates the problem. Therefore action will be taken to provide life jackets to the marine fishermen.
4.4. Distribution of GPS and Fish Finders
Action will be taken to install in the mechanised fishing boats, modern equipments like Global Positioning System and fish finders to locate the fish shoals and the position of the vessels in the mid sea to avoid crossing over to the Srilankan waters. This scheme will be implemented with the subsidy from Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) upto Rs.50,000/-. This Government will encourage the fishermen to get the balance amount as loan.
4.5. Patrol Boats
5 patrol boats have been constructed at a cost of Rs.4.5 crores with cent percent subsidy assistance from Government of India for patrolling in the Tamilnadu coast having 1076 K.M. length. As soon as the Memorandum of Understanding for operating these boats by Coast Guard is signed, action will be taken for inducting these boats for patrolling during this year.
4.6. Installation of Marker Buoys with Beacon Lights
There have been growing instances of our fishermen being fired upon by the SriLankan Navy for inadvertently crossing the invisible International Boundary Line in the sea. Marker buoys with beacon lights from Nagapattinam to Thoothukudi District along the coastal line of about 240 nautical miles will be installed during this year.
5. INLAND FISHERIES
The Inland Fishery policy will focus to maximising the fish production utilising available inland water resources such as major reservoirs, major and minor irrigation tanks, village ponds and tanks, etc. through a scientifically designed training and extension package which will focus on scientific reservoir fisheries management and quality seed production. The reservoir fisheries management is undertaken in 45 reservoirs by the Tamilnadu Fisheries Department and in 8 reservoirs by the Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation. The Department has also taken over about 32,000 ha. of major and minor irrigation tanks for stocking with major carp seeds and exploiting with the help of local fishermen. About 5000 ha. of village ponds and tanks have been developed to adopt composite fish culture technique through Fish Farmers Development Agencies.
5.1. Development of Inland Fish Production
It is proposed to increase the fish production annually by ten percent from the present production of 1.14 lakh M.T. by bringing more water spread areas for fish culture. The existing fish seed production centres will be developed to meet the requirements of fish seeds for stocking in the additional water spread areas. Freshwater prawn culture will be adopted in addition to major carp culture of catla, mirgal, rohu at Bhavanisagar in Erode District, Pilavakkal and Vembakottai in Virudhunagar District, Kulithalai and Thirukampuliyur in Karur District, Poondi in Thiruvallur District, Lalpet in Cuddalore District, Chembarambakkam in Kancheepuram District and Palar-Porandalar in Dindigul District.
- 5.2. Fish Seed Production, Collection and Stocking
The fish seed requirement of Catla, rohu, mrigal and common carp for stocking in the waters are met from the Department Fish Farms, whereas the requirements for Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation and Fish Farmers Development Agencies are being met by the agencies concerned. The seeds are produced and reared upto stocking size in fish farms operated by the above agencies and about 5 crores fingerlings are produced annually. Apart from this, 84 private fish seed farms established in the State are producing 6 crores fingerlings per annum. The Department is also encouraging the private sector to produce quality fish seeds.
5.3. Tamilnadu Panchayat Lease and Licensing of Fishery Rights Rules, 1999
In order to increase the earnings of Panchayats and Panchayat Unions and also to encourage scientific fish culture, the Government had issued orders in 1999 to lease fishery rights by open auction for a period of 5 years giving priority to fishermen cooperative societies. Further, the Government also ordered that the lease amount shall be fixed by the Village Panchayat and the Panchayat Union Council concerned in consultation with the Inspector of Fisheries of the respective area. The Department of Fisheries will help the lessee to earn more revenue by extending technical guidance to them.
- 5.4. Western Ghats Development Programme
During the year 2001-2002 a sum of Rs.23.46 lakhs was sanctioned to convert 4 earthern breeder ponds to cement ponds at Manimuthar in Tirunelveli District. Further, a sum of Rs.4.00 lakhs was also sanctioned to maintain the assets created.
- 5.5. Brackishwater Fishfarmers Development Agencies
Tamilnadu has a total of 56,000 ha. of potential shrimp farming area. Although a total of 4455 ha. have been developed in the State for shrimp farming, yet only 2879 ha. are in use.
There are 5 Brackishwater Fish Farmers Development Agencies functioning in the State. These agencies are entrusted with the task of educating and training the fish farmers who wish to take up brackishwater aquaculture and mariculture.
To implement marine fish farming, grouper and seabass are cultured in the model demonstration farms at Punnakayal in Thoothukudi District. Activities like lobster fattening, mud crab fattening, marine fish farming are proposed along the coastline.
As per the directions of the Aquaculture Authority of India, the Government constituted Committees at State level and District level. The District Collector is the Chairman of the District Level Committee. The Chief Executive Officers are entrusted with the task of processing the applications of the shrimp aquaculture farmers and forwarding them to the State Level Committee with their recommendations. The State level Committee headed by the Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department will scrutinise the applications and forward them to the Aquaculture Authority. Based on the recommendations, the Aquaculture Authority will issue approval to the shrimp aqua farms. About 1013 applications had been received from the shrimp aquaculture farmers and they are being processed by the District Level Committees and State Level Committee. The State Level Committee has recommended for the issue of authorisation / approval for 193 shrimp aquaculture farms. Upto 2001-2002, 140 authorisation / approval had been issued to shrimp aquaculture farmers.
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