The country with the long coastline of 8118 Km. has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending to 2.02 million Sq.Km. comprising of 0.86 million Sq.Km. on the West Coast, 0.56 million Sq.Km. on the East Coast and 0.60 million Sq.Km. around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Tamil Nadu, with its 1076 Km of coastline, 0.19 million Sq.Km. of EEZ and a continental shelf of about 41,412 Sq.Km. is a leading State both in culture and capture fisheries. It has emerged as a major exporter of marine products. However, the vast potential available in Marine and Inland Fisheries including Aquaculture is yet to be optimally exploited for augmenting fish production.

The inland fisheries sector has about 3.7 lakhs ha of water spread area comprising reservoirs, major irrigation and long seasonal tanks, short seasonal tanks and ponds, estuaries, backwaters etc. which are suitable for both capture and culture fisheries. About 5,000 ha of water-spread area is being utilised for fresh water aquaculture under the programmes of the Fish Farmers Development Agencies.

In Tamil Nadu, there are 56,000 ha. of brackish water area available for aquaculture production, of which, about 4455 ha are actually under aquaculture production.

Since the establishment of the Department of Fisheries in 1907, it has been functioning with the objectives of developing and conserving the fishery resources and ameliorating the socio-economic conditions of the fisher folk in the State who depend upon fishery as their major source of livelihood.

Administrative Set up:

The major objectives are as follows:-

1. To encourage fishermen to exploit the under-utilized fishery resources to reduce fishing pressure in the inshore areas.

2. To augment aquatic resource production in the inshore areas by conservation measures, stock enhancement and establishing of artificial reefs etc., along the coast.

3. To promote sustainable eco-friendly coastal aquaculture.

4. To strengthen the infrastructure facility for fish landing and marketing.

5. To uplift the socio-economic condition of the fisher folk through welfare measures and by generating employment opportunities for fisher folk.

6. To modify the present fisheries legislation to suit to the present condition.

The rationale for Fisheries Development Mission in the State is to enhance production of fish and sustain the productivity of fishermen, fish farmers and fishing industry, sustain livelihoods and generate further employment for coastal and rural poor, improve the socio-economic condition of the traditional fishermen and fish farmers, protect the interest of the traditional fishing communities and improve the technology and asset-base of the traditional fisher folk and augment fish production for both domestic and export markets.

To achieve the above goals, the Government of Tamil Nadu have embarked on a Fisheries Development Mission from 2002. This Mission will evolve strategies and implement suitable measures for fisheries development by increasing marine and inland fish production on sustainable basis.

The Mission Programme outlined above will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs.6107.50 lakhs in a phased manner.

With a view to extend financial assistance to fishermen for motorization of traditional crafts, the Government have increased the subsidy from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.20,000 for purchase of outboard motors to be fitted in the traditional crafts. During 2004-2005 the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 3.60 crores including 50% State’s share of Rs. 1.80 crores for distribution of 1800 outboard motors. This scheme will be continued during the Annual Plan 2005-2006.

For creating awareness among the fishermen one day workshop on marine sea ranching was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries at Image Hall, Raja Annamalaipuram on 16.12.2004 and sought cooperation from the representatives of fishermen community, Central Institutes like Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture (CIBA), Aquaculture Authority and eminent scientists to make the programme of sea ranching a great success.

b. Artificial reef

Hence, during 2004-2005 the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 150.00 lakhs for providing 10 artificial reefs along the coastal areas of the state.

The fishermen are utilizing Chinnamuttom Fishing Harbour at Kanniyakumari District which was constructed under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 1994. Since the existing berthing facilities are inadequate because of the increased number of mechanised boats, a second phase project costing about Rs.19.10 crores has been prepared and the same had been referred to Director, Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF), Bangalore. It is also under consideration by the Government to constitute an Evaluation Committee in order to conduct Post Evaluation Study for the Project.

The project cost was finalised by Director, CICEF, Bangalore for a sum of Rs.48.69 crores and submitted Techno-Economic Feasibility Report to Govt. of India. The District/State Coastal Zone Management Authority has cleared the project and recommended to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority for issuing of environmental clearance of the project.

During the meeting of the National Coastal Zone Management Authority held at New Delhi during November 2004, the Committee did not accept the Environmental Impact Assessment/Environmental Management Plan Studies (EIA/EMP) prepared by the Department of Fisheries and instructed to prepare EIA/EMP once again through a reputed agency like National Institute of Ocean Technology/National Institute of Oceanography (NIOT/NIO). Action is being taken to prepare EIA/EMP through NIOT for the project.

The CICEF, Bangalore has prepared a Techno-Economic Feasibility Report for a sum of Rs.10.60 crores for construction of a Fishing Harbour at Pazhayar. As per the directions of the Government of India, the revised estimates is under preparation based on the current schedule of rates. Further, as advised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, the Superintending Engineer, Fishing Harbour Project Circle (FHPC), Chennai is preparing revised cost estimate deleting the components which require environmental clearance.

The CICEF, Bangalore has prepared a Techno-Economic Feasibility Report for a sum of Rs.7.50 crores for construction of a Fishing Harbour at Mallipattinam. As per the directions of the Government of India the revised estimate is under preparation based on the current schedule of rates.

Tentative estimate for Rs.40.00 crores had been prepared for construction of a Fishing Harbour at Poompuhar. The NIOT, Chennai has been requested to conduct Model Studies at Poompuhar during 2004-2005.

Colachel is one of the locations identified and included in the Master Plan prepared by the CICEF, Bangalore for development of fishing harbour in Tamilnadu in addition to the existing harbours. The CICEF has conducted pre feasibility study during 1997 and submitted a report to Government of India. Based on the request of the Government, the Director, NIOT, Chennai has inspected the site and requested for provision of funds for conducting model studies. Accordingly, a total sum of Rs.25.00 lakhs has been remitted to the NIOT, Chennai to conduct model studies at Poompuhar and Colachel.

An amount of Rs.6.00 lakh was disbursed to NIOT for conducting Model Studies at Muttom. Interim Model study report had been received from the NIOT and the same is under scrutiny.

Under Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities Scheme (ASIDE), the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.12.42 crores for upgradation of the Fishing Harbours at Chennai and Thoothukudi to International Standards.

For construction of a Fishing Harbour, detailed estimates are under preparation for conducting model studies at Rajakkamangalamthurai in Kanniyakumari District.

To repair a Jetty at Rameswaram in Ramanatha-puram District, Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 20.00 lakhs during the year 2004-2005. Steps will be taken for carryout this work. As regards repairs to Thondi Jetty, detailed estimates are under preparation.

The Government of India have conveyed their administrative approval for construction of 10 fish landing centres with all infrastructure facilities in Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs.13.23 crores. Out of the 10 selected places, the work had been completed at 5 places. In other places, the works are in progress except Veerapandianpattinam.

It is under consideration by the Government to establish Fish Landing Centres in the following 9 places in Tamilnadu at a total cost of Rs.15.28 crores availing the 50% assistance from Government of India. On receipt of approval from the State Government and the Government of India the work will be taken up for execution.

1) Keelavaippar - Thoothukudi District

3) Cuddalore Periakuppam -Kancheepuram District

4) Periamangadu - Tiruvallur District

6) Chinna Erwadi - Ramanathapuram District

(Additional shore facilities)

8) R. Pudupattinam - Pudukkottai District

For repairs and renovation works at Thoothukudi Fishing Harbour and 3 Fish Landing Centres, one each at Rameswaram, Kottaipattinam and Chinna Erwadi, the Government of India have released a sum of Rs.25.00 lakhs and State Government have also sanctioned a sum of Rs. 50.00 lakhs including their share of Rs. 25.00 lakhs. For execution of the above works, tenders has been received and they are under scrutiny. After finalization of the tenders, the work will be taken up for execution.

Due to adverse weather conditions like cyclone, water current and engine failure etc., the mechanised fishing boats and crew happen to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line, get drifted and stranded in Srilankan waters. For crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line they are often taken into custody by Srilankan Authority. In the absence of breadwinners, the families of those fishermen experience difficulties to run their family. In order to alleviate the sufferings of those families, a relief amount of Rs.50/- is given per day per family till the fishermen returns home. Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.5.00 lakhs each to 8 District Collectors of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari for paying relief to the families of fishermen detained in foreign countries while fishing. This scheme will be implemented during this financial year.

The fishermen of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari Districts 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 failure and adverse weather conditions they are drifted into Srilankan waters. Such Indian fishermen crossing the IBL are subjected to attack by the Srilankan Navy. At times, the Sri Lankan Navy resort to fire leading to causality of poor fishermen. All such incidents are brought to the notice of the Government of India in order to take up the matter with the Govt. of Sri Lanka for their immediate release. In order to enable the immediate disbursement of relief amount of Rs.1.00 lakh to the family of the deceased fisherman who had been fired upon and killed by Srilankan Navy, the Collectors of Coastal Districts. take immediate steps to release exgratia payment of Rs.1.00 lakh from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.

In case of inland fish production, India ranks second in the world and occupies an important place in Asian Aquaculture. The current per capita availability of fish per annum works out to about 10 Kgs for the fish eating population of the country which is less than the minimum requirement of 11 Kgs. In respect of Tamil Nadu the Inland Fisheries Sector is about 3.71 lakhs ha of water spread area comprising of Reservoirs, Seasonal tanks, Tanks and Ponds.

The reservoir fisheries 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 are being developed to adopt composite fish culture technique through Fish Farmers Development Agencies

The Departmental fish farms produce quality fish seeds of catla, rohu, mrigal and common carp for stocking in inland waters. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation is producing seeds in their ponds for their requirement. The seeds are produced and reared upto-stocking size in fish farms operated by the Department. Further, 84 private fish seed farms in the State are also producing fingerlings to cater to the needs of private farmers.

To overcome the problems of mismatching, cages will be supplied to the Department to rear the seeds that are produced in South West monsoon, till the time of stocking during North East monsoon. It will be extended to private farmers for their earnings.

During 2004-2005 the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 10.00 lakhs for construction of Mahseer Hatchery Complex at Solaiyar Dam in Coimbatore District (Phase I) under Western Ghats Development Programme. The Plans and Estimates are awaited from the Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Coimbatore.

For 2005-2006 it is under consideration by the Government for sanctioning a sum of Rs. 40.00 lakhs for construction of Mahseer Hatchery Complex at Solaiyar Dam in Coimbatore District (Phase II) under Western Ghats Development Programme.

Tamilnadu has a total of 56,000 ha. of potential shrimp farming area. On the direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the Aquaculture Authority has been constituted to regularize the shrimp aqua farms. To assist the Aquaculture Authority, the State Level Committee and District Level Committees have been constituted. For issue of licences to the aqua farms, the State Level Committee scrutinize the applications received from the farmers and processed by the District Level Committees and forward these applications to the Aquaculture Authority with recommendations.

As on date there are 2086 shrimp farms functioning in all the 12 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu (except Chennai). Out of this, 852 shrimp farms got approval from the Aquaculture Authority. Steps are being taken to regulate all shrimp farms functioning without the approval of Aquaculture Authority.

In the "Fisheries Development Mission", coastal aquaculture has been identified as a thrust area and it is proposed to develop 1000 ha. of coastal saline land every year under aquaculture utilizing low intensive traditional and improved traditional shrimp farming practices with the support of other agencies like Marine Product Export Development Agency (MPEDA). During the past three years (i.e. from July 2002) aquaculture farming has been undertaken over an area of about 3100 ha. in the State with the approval of the Aquaculture Authority, Chennai.