Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting. Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan today said for the first time in the country, a seaweed park will be set up in Tamil Nadu to improve the livelihood of fishermen. He said work will commence soon after the State government allotted land for the facility.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi district, he said the government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has formed a separate Ministry for Fisheries and is implementing various projects. 

Dr Murugan said the Government of Tamil Nadu has been requested to set aside space for a Special Economic Zone for seaweed farming and the work will commence after the State Government selects the site.

He also said a project to raise quality fish fry in the sea would be implemented under the Prime Minister's Matsya Sampada Yojana to increase fish stocks in Rameswaram and Mandapam areas. He stated about Rs. 20,000 crore is to be invested in Tamil Nadu for fisheries projects such as cold storage, setting up of fish processing plant and deep sea aquaculture.

Dr Murugan pointed out Rs 1,500 would be provided as relief assistance on behalf of the Central Government during the fishing ban period and a group insurance scheme would be implemented for fishermen.

The Minister of State said the Union Government has been implementing various schemes in Tamil Nadu and TN is the State with maximum number of beneficiaries in schemes such as Highways, Housing for All, Jal Jeevan, Medical Insurance, Mudra micro loans, and MSME credit facility.

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