Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Samoon Thursday asked department of Fisheries to expedite work on the establishment of fish market in Srinagar.While reviewing the functioning of Department of Fisheries, Dr Samoon was informed that land has been acquired for the establishment of fish market in the city. Dr Samoon asked the officers to expedite the other legal formalities so that a hygienic Fish market is established in Srinagar. He also asked the department to set up retail markets at local level. “We have fish selling points in Lalchowk, Nowhatta, Dargah and other places’’, he added.Department shall open retail markets at local level in all districts,” he said adding that marketing infrastructure needs to be developed on modern lines.
Dr Samoon also asked the authorities of the department to identify land in Veerinag for up-gradation of the infrastructure as area has highest revenue generation potential. He also stressed for up-gradation of fisheries infrastructures in other districts.Divisional Commissioner also directed the officers to increase the carp seed stock and find ways to go for seed stock at high altitude lakes in the valley. Dr Samoon said the Kashmir should have a research institute on the pattern of Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH). “In India there are institutes for warm water fish but we have potential to have a research institutes for cold water fish that will be beneficial for the state ,” he added.
Earlier Director Fisheries RK Dogra informed the Divisional Commissioner that the department has produced 20 thousand tonnes of fish during current fiscal and earned revenue of Rs 380.28 lakh, out of which Rs 182.17 lakh were earned from sale of trout fish.He said the department produces 440 lakh carp fish seeds and 90 lakh trout seeds. He informed that in Private sector, 937 units of carp have been established besides 362 units of trout fish by the department.It was also given out that there are 1600 private/ commercial fish ponds, 27 farm huts and 13 laboratories in the state.