At a time when fishermen are complaining about the steady drop in the catch from the Bay of Bengal, the East Godavari district administration has decided to improve the same by 70 per cent this financial year, by doling out sops to the fisherfolk and the owners of the fish tanks.
Of the 972-km coastline in Andhra Pradesh, East Godavari district shares 144 km. Apart from this, Godavari river, a good number of streams and freshwater tanks are the major sources of fishing here. Despite having the unique distinction of having marine, inland and brackish water aquaculture, the district has registered a total catch of 1.59 lakh metric tonnes in 2014-15 fiscal year.
While marine fishing contributes a major chunk —around 1.17 lakh metric tonnes—to the total fish production, inland fishing accounts for 45,000 metric tonnes during the year. “Following guidelines from Collector H. Arun Kumar, we have chalked out plans to increase the catch to 2.73 lakh matric tonne this year,” says D. Govindaiah, Deputy Director of Fisheries Department.
As per estimates, there has been a possible increase of 87,000 metric tonnes in the marine catch and 23,000 metric tonnes from the inland fishing. “Plans are afoot to distribute quality nets to fishermen on 50 per cent subsidy. We will encourage them to focus on Tuna variety,” says Mr. Govindaiah.
According to statistics, freshwater tanks are spread over 6,000 hectares and there is a possible addition of another 1,000 hectares this year. Subsidised loans will also be provided to fish tank owners , under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
However, the fishermen wonder as to how can the catch be increased at a time when industrialisation is getting a rapid boost along the coast. “Let the Fisheries Department clear the oil subsidies first, which have been pending for the last three years. Fishermen are forced to go deeper into the sea with every passing year owing to drop in catch,” observes Dasari Satyanarayana, founder president of the Coastal Rights Protection Committee.
Reiterating the same, Mechanised Boat Owners Welfare Association president Kamadi Matha Raju says violation of fishing ban is affecting the catch badly. “We can try our best to improve the catch, once we are equipped with quality nets and reimbursement of dues,” he says.
Let the Fisheries Dept. clear oil subsidies, which have been pending for the last three years
Dasari Satyanarayana
President, Coastal Rights Protection Committee
