Minister for Fisheries and Registration
Like SC/ST population of Kerala, the fishermen community was also left far behind in the Kerala model of development. In several important sectors like steady livelihood means, health, education, health etc they lagged behind. Special efforts had to be begun to develop these unfortunate sections of our society so as to integrate them with the main stream.
When the LDF Government came into power, the fisheries sector in the state was passing through an unprecedented crisis. The fisheries sector was in a chaos. Following a supreme court verdict, the exporters were exempted from paying their share to the Fisheries’ Welfare Fund; and having no other income, the welfare measures in this sector had come to a standstill. The foreign trolling ships were given licenses to fish in deep waters as per the new economic policy which resulted in dearth of fish in coastal and territorial areas. The UDF government committed an unpardonable mistake in disbursing livelihood support to the Tsunami affected people by diverting the fund meant for the same and this resulted in widespread discontent and rage. The functioning of the Fisheries Department and agencies under it like Matsyafed, ADAK, FIRMA and Matsya Board also came to a halt. It was in such a chaotic situation that the LDF came into power.
Fishermen came out of NETs |
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Matsya Keralam project for more freshwater fish |
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Artificial reef at Vizhinjam Fishing Port |
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State Fisheries Department is fast adopting new techniques and innovations to increase fish production in the State. The launching of the artificial reef at Vizhinjam harbour was inaugurated by the Fisheries Minister on November 18 is a significant step in this direction.
Artificial reefs made of mild steel and numbering around 360 will be deployed at five coastal Panchayats besides Vizhinjam viz Anchuthengu, Kadinamkulam, Kariumkulam, Poovar and Kulathoor in the initial phase. Based on its effectiveness the reefs weighing 160kg will be deployed in other coastal areas. According to Xavier David, mission coordinator of Agency for Department of Aquaculture Kerala (ADAK) which is implementing the project, enrichment materials such as palm leaves and tyres will be added to the reefs at a later stage to attract fish. |
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