Fisheries in Bengal gears up to resume fish production

Kolkata,04 May(HS): Welcoming the government decision to allow them to resume the fishing and all other relatated maritime and aquaculture activities in all states from today despite the begnning of lockdown 3.0, the West Bengal Fisheries Association said they heaved a sigh of relief for being allowed to resume harveting and marketing  of their products with renewed vigour after suffering a huge loss during the past two months.

The entire fishing communities are extremely happy after the union government has exempted the fishing activities from the purview of the lockdown, the Association spokesman here today said adding this feel good factor was applicable not only for this state but for the entire nation.

Speaking to Hindusthan Samachar here today he said, It has been a great relief for all of us as the Union government has not only allowed the operations of the fishing or marine aquaculture industry, but also permitted them for harvesting, sale and marketing the products.

In a  recent communique to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union territories, the Union Home Ministry informed that “Operations of  fishing (marine)/aquaculture industry, including feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing; hatcheries, feed plants, commercial aquaria, movement of fish/ shrimp and fish products, commercial aquaria, movement of fish, shrimp and fish products, fish seed, feed and workers for all these activities will be allowed  from 4 May as they are exempted from the lockdown 3.0′

As’Aquaculture’ plays an important role in the economy of West Bengal since it helps in augmenting food supply, generating over a million employment, raising nutritional level and earning revenue for the people attached to the fishing activities, the spokesman said a number of species in the state like Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Tilapia, Tiger Prawn, Golda, Bhagon, Bhetki, Pabda, Boroli enjoyed great demand all over the state round the year.

After the announcement of the relaxation of restriction , most of the districts fisheries department were expected to start their regular activities including in North Dinajpur district where large quantity of the prawn was produced in the Kaliaganj hatchery for its high demand in the market for a superior quality product, he said.

Fishermen even from Nepal and Bhutam also come here to purchase this spawn, the spokesman said adding, interestingly this prawn was not sold by weight but in a measuring bowl.

Moreover, of the total nine hatcheries in Hooghly district are run by various fisherman cooperative societies, all of them would soon start production generating  employment of over 50,000 ifishermen in the district alone.

We are hopeful  that our losses would be minimum because of the lockdown, the Association spokesman stated further and added the most significant part was that even in this overall restricted situation these Fisheries Associations showing humanity supplied fish to many poor families absolutely free of cost whcih was hailed by all.