The conventional fishing does not hold out much promise for the future as the fish stock in the open sea is depleting and pollution is killing it in the near shore area.
The State government is planning to promote cage fish culture among the traditional sea faring fishermen. Under the programme, each fisherfolk family will be given more than one cage at subsidy and the government will provide the initial seedlings and feed and the family will be able to harvest the fully grown fish in six months or so, depending on the type of fish.
This would enable a fisherfolk family earn close to Rs. 5 lakh per annum as against Rs. 50,000 per annum at present, Visakha South MLA and fisherfolk community leader Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar said on the occasion of World Fisheries Day here on Saturday.
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The government has set up a team to study the marine fish cage culture systems in different countries and draw up a similar programme for the State, he said adding that he was a member of the team.
“However, cage culture cannot be taken up at every location as the conditions have to be amenable. Some places like Rushikonda and Ramakrishna Beach are suited for some types of fish culture,” he added.
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The Chief Minister during his recent visit to the city had cleared the proposal for setting up of a smart fish market in the heart of the city. The smart fish market would be hygienic and sell fish and fish products at the same location and customers would be able to come and eat processed fish at the market itself, he explained. The MLA distributed safety gear and other equipment worth Rs. 78 lakh to traditional fisherfolk on the occasion.