Mangaluru: In order to address various issues pertaining to the fisheries department like shortage of fish, harassment of fishermen at sea from their counterparts from other states and providing basic amenities at fishing harbours etc., the state government has decided to implement a comprehensive fisheries policy.
Minister for Fisheries Kota Srinivas Poojary said during a press meet that a draft of the policy will be ready within two weeks, after which it will be open for discussion with stakeholders before being made official.
The policy will focus on developing inland fishing on the lines of coastal fishing, overcoming the shortage in production of fingerlings, addressing issues related to fish transport, construction of jetties, steps to ensure livelihood security of fishers etc.
Kota informed that, though there was a demand for fingerlings worth Rs 50 crore in the state, only 55 per cent of the demand was met by the government and private hatcheries. In order to increase the production of fingerlings, a project worth Rs 4.73 crore is ready. He also informed that the fingerling rearing unit in Narayanapura Dam will be modernised at a cost of Rs 4 crore.
The government has also planned to set up restaurants and fish stalls called “Matsya Darshini” to ensure that the common man gets raw and cooked fish at a reasonable price. In the first phase, these Marsya Darshini fish stalls will be installed in 31 cities including Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Udupi, Ballari, Shivamogga, Belthangady, Puttur, Sullia, Hassan, Kalaburgi and Mysuru.