Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department - Fisheries

Policy Note  2002-2003 

Demand No. 7 

6. RESEARCH

There are 2 Research Stations in Tamilnadu at Chennai and Thoothukudi.  There are 34 Research Assistants working on 16 projects, which were cleared by the State Fisheries Research Council in June, 1998.  Main focus of the research is to aid development of Fisheries sector through applied research.  Fisheries Department would be co-ordinating with the Central Institutes viz., Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi.

The Government reconstituted the Research Council during 2001 for a period of three years.  The progress made in the research projects will be reviewed by the Council and new projects will be allotted for a further period of 3 years in the ensuing Research Council Meeting.

7.  EXTENSION AND TRAINING

With a view to make enough trained manpower, for the operation and maintenance of the mechanized boats and to operate modern fishing gear, the fisherboys are given training for 10 months in four places in the State at Nagapattinam, Mandapam, Thoothukudi and Colachel.  Each Centre is to impart training to 50 to 60 fisherboys.  Besides this, a Junior Mechanic course is also conducted in these training centres.  Monthly stipend of Rs.200/- is paid to each of the selected trainee. 

Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme for training of fish farmers and for creation of awareness centre a sum of Rs.70.55 lakh is sanctioned during the year 2001-2002.  It is proposed to construct one awareness centre and three training centres in order to give  training to the fish farmers both in brackish water and inland fisheries. 

8.FISHERIES CO-OPERATIVES

Upto 2001-2002, 705 Marine Fishermen / Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies with 3,37,598 members and 289 Inland Fishermen / Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies with 59,486 members, 10 District Fishermen Federation with 655 members are functioning in the State. One Apex Federation with 679 members and 17 other  Fishermen Co-operative Societies with 2848 members are functioning in the State.  These Societies constitute an important agency for the upliftment of fishermen / fisherwomen community in the State.

1. 9.      FISHERMEN WELFARE
2.   With the Fishermen welfare as the top most item in the Fisheries agenda of this State Government, the following schemes would continue to receive the support and thrust of this Government during this year also.
3. 1)       Fishermen Free Housing Scheme
4. 2)       National Fishermen Savings cum Relief Scheme
5. 3)       Establishment of Meenavar  Angadi
6. 4)       Fishermen Group Insurance Scheme
7. 5)       Fishermen Accident Insurance Scheme

9.1. Fishermen Free Housing Scheme

From 1975-76 to 2001-2002, 43,280 houses have been constructed.   During  2001-2002 Government have sanctioned for construction of 4000 houses.  Out of which 500 houses are allotted to landless poor marine fishermen and 500 houses to inland fishermen. This scheme will be continued during the year 2002-2003.

9.2. National Fishermen Savings cum Relief Scheme

To alleviate the sufferings of Marine fishermen of coastal areas during the lean seasons, the Government are implementing Savings-cum-Relief Scheme for fishermen of Tamilnadu.

Under this scheme during 2002-2003 as per the Govt. of India norms each fisherman will contribute Rs.75/- per month.  During the current year Rs.75/- will be collected from each fisherman and the State and Central Government will contribute Rs.37.50 each as their share for every month.  The sum of Rs.150/-p.m.  collected for 8 months amounting to Rs.1200/- will be disbursed to the fishermen at Rs.300/- per month during four lean months.  In Tamilnadu 1,97,000 fishermen will be benefitted by this scheme.

9.3. Establishment of Meenavar Angadi

To ameliorate the sufferings of the fishermen in selling the fishes, the Government have permitted to construct 10 Meenvar Angadis at an estimated cost of  Rs.1.82 crores to sell their fishes in hygienic condition.  Out of this, the construction of  2 Meenavar Angadis have been completed and they are functioning.  3 Meenavar Angadis have been completed and ready for functioning.  Action will be taken to complete the construction work of remaining Meenavar Angadis during this year.

9.4. Fishermen Group Accident Insurance Scheme

Under this scheme, the State and Central Government will equally contribute the annual Insurance premium of Rs.14/- .  No premium is collected from the fishermen. Under this scheme, the fishermen will be given Rs.50,000/- for death / permanent disablement and Rs.25,000/- for partial disablement.

9.5. Fishermen Accident Insurance Scheme

Besides the above scheme where the Insurance premium contributed equally by the State and Centre, the following Insurance Schemes are also implemented by Tamilnadu Government   for the welfare of the fishermen.  The premium should be contributed by the fishermen / fisherwomen.

The fishermen / fisherwomen may benefit by joining in these schemes.

1. 10.  TAMILNADU FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED

The Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd., was established in 1974 as a State owned undertaking.  The authorised share capital is Rs.5 crores and the paid up share capital is Rs.4.455 crores.

The Corporation is at present engaged in the following activities:-

1. i.  Operation of two deep sea fishing trawlers in the East Coast from Vishakapattinam;
2. ii.  Management of reservoirs by stocking quality fish seeds and exploiting them on commercial basis;
3. iii.  Production of quality fish seeds at Induced Carp Spawning centres at reservoir sites for stocking in the reservoirs and for sale to fish farmers;
4. iv.   Management of Ice Plants, Cold Storages and Processing Plants.
5. v.    Supply of diesel to fishermen through retail outlets at Fishing Harbours / Jetties;
6. vi.   Supply of quality fish in prime condition to public at reasonable price  through retail outlets in Chennai city and other important towns;
7. vii.   Management of Fish Net Manufacturing plant at Royapuram and supply of quality fish net webbing to fishermen;
8. viii.   Management of Shrimp Hatchery at Neelankarai near Chennai for production and supply of shrimp seeds to shrimp farmers;
9. ix.    Management of Pearl Culture Project and Pearl Oyster Hatchery;
10. x.    Management of Model shrimp Farm and demonstration-cum-training centre at Karangadu;
11. xi.    Production and marketing of ornamental fishes.
1. 10.1.    Marine Fisheries - Trawler operation

The Corporation is operating two deep sea fishing trawlers viz., Thanjai and Mexicana based at Vizag.  During 2001-2002, 28 M.T. of prawns and 88 M.T. of fish were landed, fetching a total revenue of    Rs. 85.31 lakhs.

1. 10.2.    Inland Fisheries - Reservoirs

The following reservoirs are under the management of the Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd., in which systematic stocking of fish seeds is done.  Harvesting of fish is done by engaging local fishermen who keep 1/3 of the catches as their share.

1. 1)                  Sathanur dam
2. 2)                  Bhavanisagar
3. 3)                  Amaravathy
4. 4)                  Aliyar
5. 5)                  Thirumoorthy
6. 6)                  Uppar
7. 7)                  Palar-Porandalar
8. 8)                  Perumpallam

During  2001-2002, 257 M.T. of fish were landed realising a revenue of Rs.1.45 crores.  Out of the above eight reservoirs, Bhavanisagar,  Uppar and Palar-Porandalar reservoirs have been leased out to private entrepreneurs. The Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation undertakes stocking of fingerlings and exploitation in the remaining 5 reservoirs.

10. 3. Fish Seed Production

The Tamilndu Fisheries Development Corporation is managing one fish seed production centre at Sathanur dam and six fish seed rearing centres at Amaravathy, Aliyar, Thirumoorthy, Palar-Porandalar and Uppar.  Fish seeds produced here are stocked in the reservoirs managed by the Corporation and also supplied to the Fisheries Department, Fish Farmers Development Agencies and private farmers.  During  2001-2002, 1.49  crores of fish seeds were produced and supplied to fish farmers.

10.4. Fish Processing

The Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation is in possession of four Ice Plants / Processing Plants in the State. The processing / Ice Plants at Adayar, Mandapam and Thoothukudi have been leased out to private parties.

10.5. Diesel outlets

At present, the Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation is operating 19 diesel outlets in the Fishing Harbours like Chennai, Mallipattinam, Thoothukudi, Pazhayar, etc. for the benefit of mechanised fishing boat operators and fishermen.  During  2001-2002,  a total quantity of  26,753 K.L. of diesel and oil was sold and  a commission of    Rs. 77.76  lakhs was earned.

10.6. Fish Marketing

The Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation is marketing fresh and fried fish in the cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Erode through retail outlets.  During  2001-2002,   526 M.T. of fish were sold and a revenue of  Rs.2.29 crores was realised.

10.7.    Fish Net Making Factory

A fish net making factory with a production capacity of 75 M.T. per annum is functioning at Royapuram.  During  2001-2002, 34.32 M.T. of  Nylon and HDPE nets were sold to fishermen for   Rs. 80.50 lakhs.

10.8.   Shrimp Hatchery

The Tamilnadu Fisheries Development Corporation is running a marine shrimp hatchery at Neelankarai with the annual production capacity of 1.6  crores shrimp seeds. Action is being taken to lease out the hatchery to Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture at  Mayiladuthurai.

10.9.   Production of Cultured Pearls and Oysters

The pearl culture project and pearl oyster hatchery at Mandapam have been leased out to private party. 

10.10. Model Shrimp Farm and Demonstration-cum-Training Centre

A model shrimp farm and demonstration-cum-training centre has been set up at Karangadu.  

10.11. Production and Marketing of Ornamental Fishes

Under the assistance received from the Government of Tamilnadu, Corporation has set up ornamental fish production centres at Aliyar and Tirumoorthy Nagar. An ornamental fish sales centre-cum-aquarium is functioning at Aliyar Nagar.  Another ornamental fish sales centre is functioning at Teynampet,  Chennai.

Action is being taken to open an additional ornamental fish sales centre at Adayar, Chennai.  A sum of Rs.14.18 lakhs was realized as income towards the sale of ornamental fish and accessories during 2001-2002.

1. 11.        TAMILNADU STATE APEX FISHERIES CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION LIMITED (TAFCOFED)
1. 11.1.   Integrated Marine Fisheries  Development Project  -  Phase  I

The Tamilnadu State Apex Fisheries Co-operative Federation (TAFCOFED) was registered under Tamilnadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983, on 6.11.1991 with headquarters at Chennai.  About 670 Primary Marine Fishermen    Co-operative Societies and 9 District Fishermen    Co-operative Federations are  the members of TAFCOFED. In order to uplift the socio-economic status of traditional fishermen, TAFCOFED  has implemented Integrated Marine Fisheries Development Project under Phase-I with a revised project cost of Rs.16.99 crores in 78 fishing villages of 6 coastal Districts viz. Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam,Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari with financial assistance from National Cooperative Development Corporation. A sum of Rs.13.61 crores has been given as loan with 25% subsidy  under Phase-I for the purchase of 2108 units of inputs like catamaran, vallam, nets and 4234  of Inboard engines / Outboard motors  to the fishermen. Loans have been sanctioned to 13 Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies for the purchase of 98 two wheelers with 25% subsidy for sale of fish. Under the Phase-I programme 4148  fishermen have been   benefited.

The fishermen in the area of the said 6 Districts have been given necessary training by TAFCOFED on Cooperative Management and maintenance of inboard engines / outboard motors. Cultural Programme and Mass Contact Programmes were  conducted for active involvement of fishermen in the activities of TAFCOFED and to avail the benefits of the scheme.

Further working capital loan without interest to the extent of Rs.19.50 lakhs have been disbursed by TAFCOFED under Phase-I to the members of 24 Fishermen Co-operative Societies under self employment like fish sales.

1. 11.2.   Integrated Marine Fisheries Development Project -  Phase II.

The Phase-II Programme was started from 1.4.98 in 13 coastal districts of Tamilnadu State.  It has been planned to distribute 3565 inputs to100 villages to the tune of Rs.45.062 crores.  Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.8.006 crores for the first year.  Out of this, Rs.5.628 crores have been given as loan with 25% subsidy  to 1308 fishermen of  59 Marine Fishermen Co-operative Societies.   So far 522 fishing inputs were distributed to the fishermen. 

Necessary  training on co-operative management  besides the training programmes on the functioning of Fisheries Co-operative Societies in other States were given by TAFCOFED to the representatives of Fishermen Co-operative Societies and member beneficiaries. Co-operative training to the managers of Marine Fishermen Co-operative Societies was also given.

It has been proposed to carry out the Schemes during the second year with an outlay of Rs.9.54 crores. Under the second year of Phase-II, a sum of Rs.5 crores have been ordered to be released for distribution of inputs to fishermen with 25% subsidy.

1. 11.3.  Ice Boxes

TAFCOFED has also distributed 1233 Ice Boxes (100 litre) @ Rs.3600/- per box and 765  Ice boxes (60 litre) @ Rs.2000/-per box  totalling 1998 ice boxes at a cost of Rs.59.69 lakhs with 75% subsidy to the members of Marine Fisherwomen   Co-operative Societies through the Department of Food Processing  Industries, Government of India.

M. RADHAKRISHNAN

Minister for Fisheries