With fish production increasing to around six lakh tonnes in the last fiscal, marine fisheries sector in the State is showing positive signs, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
He was virtually inaugurating four fisheries stations in Alappuzha, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts on Monday.
“The marine fish production in the State stood between 5.5 lakh and 6.5 lakh tonnes until 2010. But since then the production declined drastically. Kerala, which once held the first position in fish production, now stands at fourth place. However, the interventions made by the State government are helping to increase the production once again,” Mr. Vijayan said.
The Chief Minister said the government was committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of people employed in the fishing sector. “The government has launched three marine ambulances and 11 rescue boats. Besides, 65 trained lifeguards have been deployed. To coordinate rescue missions, a master control room has been opened at the Fisheries Directorate along with regional control rooms at Vypeen, Vizhinjam and Beypore,” he said.
With the four new stations, the number of fisheries stations in the State has increased to nine. Besides effectively implementing the Marine Fishing Regulation Act, fisheries stations will go a long way in coordinating rescue efforts at district level.
Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian presided.
