The Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying chaired the 10th Governing Body Meeting organized by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This meeting took place on December 26, 2023.
The meeting saw the participation of prominent figures in the fisheries sector, including the Minister of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh, the Minister of Fisheries and Ports, Govt of Karnataka and fisheries officials from Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.
The Secretary DoF, Joint Secretary DoF, and Chief Executive, NFDB, were also present. In his address, Union Cabinet Minister commended NFDB’s dedication and contribution, highlighting its role in disseminating and implementing government initiatives for the holistic development of the fisheries sector.
The Union Minister emphasized the importance of addressing the specific needs of traditional fishermen, suggesting that NFDB examine the possibility of allocating a separate percentage for this community. He underscored the need for a flexible and collaborative approach, considering the diverse experiences of each state.
Furthermore, he also stressed the significance of fishmeal production, akin to the demand for shrimp culture in the export market. He called for the development of policies to explore infrastructure possibilities for fish meal, deep-sea fishing, boats, traditional processing units, and seed requirements.
The Minister reviewed the progress on the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, directing officials to complete the project by October 2025. He engaged with fisherman associations, advising coordination with Port Trust for the identification of required components in the Fishing Harbour.
Non-official Governing Body Members from different states also highlighted issues faced by the fishing community, emphasizing the need for sector development. The meeting concluded with a special review of government schemes implemented in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on expediting large infrastructure projects and addressing procedural delays in loans for fishers and fish farmers.
The Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, directed the acceleration of initiatives such as brood banks, integrated aqua parks, and harbors. He also highlighted the success of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) issuance and outlined plans for coastal village visits, interaction with fishermen communities, and KCC camps as part of pre-saturation activities.
