Mangalore , October 13: The prime government fish meal processing unit which poses the European Union Quality, was launched at Hoige bazzar in the city.
The minister of the state B Ramanath Rai, launched the plant and the freezing unit was launched by the Minister of fisheries Abahychandra Jain.
After the inauguration, Minister Ramanath Rai, addressed the gathering and said, by the processing units, the fish meal can be stored for a long time. Bu erecting such a processing unit in the district, advanced facilities is provided for the fishermen and the fishery. Through this, valuable fish products can be produced and launched to the market. This benefits the producers even.
This plant is erected through the central government agriculture enhancement project, helps the fishermen of the Karnataka coastal area to hike the export business.
Under the coastal area development project of the state, it has undertaken the estuaries and port development scheme. The diesel subsidised amount which is provided to the fishermen are hiked, he said.
Mare aid for fish exports:
Minister Abhaychandra Jain spoke on this occasion and said, in the state at present 12,000 crores of fish meal is exported. To hike this quantity, the state government is providing sufficient aids towards fisheries.
He said, the fish processing unit situated at Mangalore possessing international standards is a historic achievement in the development of the fisheries in the Karnataka Coastal area. As a result of the locals efforts, the fisheries development and other development programs are undertaken.
Quick start for the Mangalore fishing port:
The minister Abhaychandra Jain has said, there was a delay in the implementation of third phase development of the Mangalore fishing port due to the stay order. The next phase of development will be implemented soon. A proposal has been submitted to the central government on constructing a fishing port at Kulai and Suratkal which may cost 120 crores.
The problem on granting permits for the new fishing boats will be rectified soon. The state government will take suitable measures to fresh water fishing too. The kerosene fuel problems faced by the country boats will be rectified, he said.
The director of the State fisheries department H.S. Veerappa Gowda spoke on this occasion and said, under the Agriculture enhancement scheme since the past five years, development projects have been undertaken at Rs 25 crores for the fish trade works by the Karnataka fisheries development board.
During this occasion, MLA J.R.Lobo, MLC Ivon D’souza, MCC mayor Mahabala Maarla, Deputy Mayor Kavitha Vasu, president of Niyaz Sea Foods U.K. Bava, former minister Nagaraj Shetty, former chairman of fisheries board Nithin Kumar, leader of the fishermen union Keshava Kunder, the officials of the department Rajeshwari, Ganapathi Bhat and others were present. The managing director of fisheries board V.K. Shetty welcomed.
International quality plant:
It is mandatory to possess lab and processing units as suggested by the European National Union if food stuffs have to be exported to the European countries. To encourage export of fish products to European and Arab countries from Mangalore a fish meal processing plant has been opened at Hoige Bazaar in Mangalore. This plant erected at a cost of 6.5 crores is capable of freezing 16 to 20 metric tonnes fish per day. 500 tonnes capacity freezer, 10 tonnes capacity place ice unit, daily – 10 tonnes capacity trolley freezer, 6 tonnes capacity plate freezer, 10 tonnes capacity chilled room is comprised in this plant. The officials said, the fish meals processed here can be consumed even after a couple of years. For quality maintenance, water purification and waste management lab is also situated here.
