Mangalore : Fisheries Minister K Abhayachandra Jain inaugurated ‘Fish Farmers’ Day – 2014’ programme at Professor H P C Shetty auditorium, Fisheries College here on Thursday July 10.

The Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Fisheries College, Mangalore, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad and Professional Fisheries Graduates’ Forum jointly organized the programme.

After inaugurating programme he said, the government has sanctioned non budgetary allocation of Rs 63 crore for providing subsidised kerosene to fishermen in all three coastal districts. In addition, Rs 6.30 crore has been granted to distribute kerosene to fishermen that was pending in the last season.

The problem faced by fishermen due to lack of subsidised kerosene supply will be resolved as the State government has taken steps to mitigate the problem when the fishing season commences after the ban period.

The government has officially declared July 10 as the Fish Farmers’ Day, after Dr Hiralal Chaudhary and Dr Ali Kunhi, scientists who had successfully conducted induced breeding in Indian major carp fish in 1957. It is my utmost duty to attend this programme, being the minister for fisheries, despite having the session in Lok Sabha.

With the private organisations intervening in inland fishing trade, major chunk of profit is absorbed by them, while the professional fishermen who carry out fishing operation get nothing but a small amount of money as salary.

To avoid this, the State government has passed an order this year, making it mandatory to grant lease of the inland fishing to professional fishermen, the Minister said.

“There is a huge demand for deep sea fishing. Nearly 500 applications seeking licence for deep sea fishing is pending with the department. The decision has to be taken considering the opposition from traditional fishermen to deep sea fishing in places like Karwar. The marine fish production in the Karnataka coast in the year 2013-14 was 3.50 lakh metric tons. The revenue generated through export of fishes is Rs 1,210 crore,” he briefed.

Responding to the demand of the heads of Mangalore College of Fisheries to upgrade the college as Fisheries University, Jain said there were two proposals before the state government.

Either the college could be upgraded as the university or a new fisheries university should be sanctioned to the State. “The matter will be discussed with the subject experts and the decision will be taken after studying the feasibility,” Fisheries minister said.

Meanwhile, replying positively to the request placed by College of Fisheries Dean Prof K M Shankar on allotting stipends to students who are in the last semester of their graduation course in fisheries, the Minister assured that allocation will be made in the next budget.
Dr K M Shankar, dean of Fisheries College presided over the function.

While, the students pursuing veterinary and animal husbandry courses under Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, are given the stipend when they undergo industrial training or internship in the last semester, the same benefit has not been given to fisheries students so far.

Accenture (Bangalore) Vice President Ganesh Yala spoke about opportunities in aquaculture and how the research and development wing of his company took up aquaculture for study.

Dr S M Shivaprakash, extensional director, KVAFSU, Bidar was the chief guest.

Leaders of fishing community, fishermen and students were present in large numbers.

Dr H Shivananda Murthy, professor and HoD, water cultivation, Fisheries College and Dr Shivakumar M, professor and secretary- PFGF, Fisheries College were also present on the occasion.