Mangalore, July 11: State minister for fisheries, K Abhaychandra Jain on Thursday July 10 said that trade contracts would be given to fishermen directly and not to any federation representing them.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating ‘Fish Farmers’ Day 2014′ at Professor H.P.C. Shetty auditorium, Fisheries College here, he said, a fisheries federation in Mysore has been involved in fish trade and as a result, fishermen have been suffering a lot as a major portion of the profit rate went to the federation and very little to the fishermen.
‘Fish Farmers’ Day 2014′ was presided over by Dr K M Shankar, dean, Fisheries College. It was organized by the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Fisheries College, Mangalore, National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad and Professional Fisheries Graduates’ Forum.
The event was officially launched by lighting the auspicious lamp by the minister and other dignitaries present on the dais.
Mr. Jain said, “The state government has passed a bill requiring the fish trade contract to be given to the fishermen themselves and not to federations. Also, under the bill, if a federation wants trade contract, it has to give 50 percent of the catch back to the fishermen.”
“More than 3.50 lac metric tons of fishing has been taking place in our coastal belt every year. The annual fisheries export stands at Rs 1,210 crore. More number of private firms are coming forward to develop and maintain fish breeds, which will indeed boost the fisheries business in the coast,” he added.
The minister also said that Rs 4 crore has been kept aside for the development of Fisheries College, out of which Rs 1.5 crore has already been spent. He assured that the proposals put forth by the college would be accepted and the college would either get national recognition or be made a university.
Dr H Shivanand Murthy delivered the keynote address and Dr Shivakumar M welcomed the gathering. A special lecture on fisheries was delivered by Ganesh Yaala, vice-president of Accenture, Bangalore.
Dr S M Shivaprakash, extensional director, KVAFSU, Bidar was the chief guest. Dr H Shivananda Murthy, professor and HoD, water cultivation, Fisheries College and Dr Shivakumar M, professor and secretary- PFGF, Fisheries College were also present on the occasion, along with leaders of fishing community, fishermen and students were present on this occasion.
