The World Fisheries Day is observed on the 21st November every year.
Aim: To draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats to the sustainability of marine and inland resources.
Key takeaways
For the first time, the Indian Government will award best performing States in the Fisheries Sector.
Best States: (1) Odisha (amongst Marine states); (2) Uttar Pradesh (amongst Inland states); (3) Assam (amongst Hilly and NE states).
Important value additions
Indian Government’s Effort to Improve FisheriesSector
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) during 2018-19: It will cater to creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors to enhance the fish production in the country.
Extension of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) facilities to fishers and fish farmers to help them in meeting their working capital needs.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: It aims to achieve 22 million tonnes of fish production by 2024-25. It is also expected to create employment opportunities for 5.5 million people.
Blue Revolution: It focuses on creating an enabling environment for integrated development and management of fisheries for the socio-economic development of the fishers and fish farmers.
Do you know?
India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.
It is the 4th largest exporter of fish in the world.
It contributes 7.7% to the global fish production.
Fish constituted about 10% of total exports from India and almost 20% of agriculture exports in 2017-18.
The fisheries and aquaculture production contribute around 1% to India’s GDP and over 5% to the agricultural GDP.
Around 28 million people are employed in the fisheries sector in India.
