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The Government has decided to promulgate “Marine Fishing Policy, 2004”. The policy is aimed at augmenting marine fish production of the country up to the sustainable level in a responsible manner so as to boost export of sea food from the country and also to increase per capita fish protein intake of the masses; ensuring socio-economic security of the artisanal fishermen whose livelihood solely depends on this vocation; and ensuring sustainable development of marine fisheries with due concern for ecological integrity and bio-diversity. This decision was taken by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which met here today.
CCEA has also decided to set up an “Empowered Committee on Marine Fisheries” under the Chairmanship of Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying with members from concerned Ministries/Departments/Institutions, which will be serviced by the Fisheries Division in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Appropriate legal framework will be formulated for regulating marine fishing operations in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by all classes of vessels. Initiatives will also be taken for all round development of fisheries in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep with special emphasis on their locational and demographic characteristics.
Promulgation of ‘Marine Fishing Policy’ with legal framework for its enforcement will improve all round development of Marine Fisheries Sector of the country. This would ensure balanced growth of all stakeholder groups and would minimize inter-sectoral clashes. International conventions for ensuring sustainability of the sector would also be achieved. Developmental needs of EEZ and island groups would also be addressed.
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