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Dimapur, Nov. 21 (EMN): Advisor for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Evaluation, Economics and Statistics L Khumo Khiamniungan, on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, said that the day serves as an important reminder that we need to change the way we manage the global fisheries in order to maintain stock and healthy aquatic eco systems.
World Fisheries Day was celebrated at Government Demonstration Fish Farm, Thizama in Kohima district on November 21.
The programme was organised by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Commissioner and Secretary Fisheries, and AR, Dinesh Kumar also spoke on the significance of World Fisheries Day, a DIPR update informed.
The advisor also stated that "apart from contributing to the food security of the country, a fishery is an important sector in India, which plays a vital role in the economy of the country, which contributes about 1.07 percent to the GDP while 5.3 percent to the agriculture and allied activities."
He also lauded the department for assisting the fish farmers in building up their economy and livelihoods and encouraged them to continue with the good work for further upliftment of the fish farmers in the state.
Additional Director of Fisheries and AR, Rongsennungba stated that India is one of the largest fish producing countries in the world and shares 7.58% to the global production, contributing 1.24% to India's Gross Value Added (GVA) and 7.28% to the agricultural GVA. He said that 'the department undertakes various projects and programmes for the development of the Fisheries sector in the state to attain self-sufficiency in fish production through sustainable development of Fisheries' activities.'
"It focuses on optimising production and productivity so as to generate gainful employment opportunities enhancing the state GDP and improve the standard of living in the rural sector.
Stating that the demand of fish in the state has been estimated to the tune of 22,000 MT@11 kg per capita consumption as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) against the present population of 1980602 persons (2011 census)," it read. It further stated that the current anticipated fish production (2019-20) in the State stands at 9448.12 MT. In addition, a bulk quantity of 3700 MT fish is supplemented by importing fish from outside the State that provides a total per capita consumption of only 6.68 kgs, which is far behind the requirement. He therefore said that there is an urgent need to increase the production of fish in the State to meet the growing consumer demand.
During the occasion, District Fishery Office, Kohima was also inaugurated and as part of the inaugural programme, a workshop-cum-training on breeding and culture of common carp followed by an interactive session with the farmers were conducted as inaugural activities.