Odisha is the first state in the country to adopt a comprehensive fishery policy, targeting to achieve revenue worth Rs.10,000 crore from marine food exports by 2020, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Thursday."Our aim is to be a pioneer in aquaculture development and fisheries' extension for ensuring food security, livelihood, welfare of fishers, and employment generation," said Patnaik while attending a workshop on 'Fisheries Development in Odisha: Status, Prospects and Options' here.
He said the state government has targeted to double the fish production and generate revenue worth Rs.10,000 crore by 2020 from marine food exports.The fishery sector did very well during the financial year 2014-15. A growth of 13 and 27 percent was, respectively, registered in fish production and seafood export, Patnaik added.Maintaining that the welfare of fishermen including their safety is a top concern for the government, he said the scheme 'Empowering Fishermen through Mobile Advisory Services' has been launched in the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.
While all the fishermen are covered under insurance scheme, the government is providing subsidised rice to fishermen families affected by the ban on fishing for protection of Olive Ridley turtles, said the chief minister.Besides, alternative livelihood support is being provided to Self Help Groups covering 50,000 fishermen families in the Olive Ridley Turtle-protected areas."We have also introduced a new programme to subsidise fish seed cost for promotion of aquaculture."