Governor P. Sathasivam has stressed the need to promote inland fish farming as a solution to the declining yield in marine fisheries. Speaking after inaugurating the Matsyotsavam festival organised by the Fisheries Department here on Monday, he said the low availability of fish was cause for concern in a State like Kerala.
Noting that the waterbodies in the State were home to about 210 fish species, including 53 endemic varieties, he called for a participatory effort to step up fish farming.
Mr.Sathasivam said fisheries adalats would go a long way in resolving the problems faced by fishermen. He distributed the State- level awards to the best fish farmers.
Job opportunities
Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Tourism and Cooperation Kadakampally Surendran said fish farming would also open up new employment opportunities while ensuring the supply of quality fish for consumers.
He called upon farmers to desist from farming invasive species like the African catfish.
Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma presided. Mayor V.K. Prasanth, district panchayat president V.K. Madhu and Fisheries Director S. Karthikyan were among those who addressed the gathering.
