In India, blue economy entails a vast ocean of economic opportunities that are equally important in generating and sustaining livelihoods. With a 8118-kilometer-long coastline, spanning nine coastal states, four union territories (UTs) – including two island UTs – 12 major and 200 minor ports, India's blue economy supports 95% of the country's business through transportation and contributes an estimated 4% to its GDP (GDP). India is also the world's third largest fish producer and second largest aquaculture fish producer. As a result, all sectors of the blue economy have the potential to employ a large workforce and have done so for many decades, at least in fishing, aquaculture, fish processing, aqua tourism, shipping and other related activities.

The Fisheries sector provides livelihood to about 2.8 crores fishers and fish farmers, and almost twice the number i.e., 5.6 crores indirectly, in the processing industry and other allied activities. The government introduced Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojana scheme viewing potential of the sector to double the incomes of fishermen and fish farmers.

Fish production reached an all-time high of 141.64 lakh tons during 2019-20 to 161.87 lakh tons (provisional) during 2021-22. Besides the domestic market, fisheries and aquaculture sectors contribute greatly to India’s export earnings as well. Currently, India is globally recognised as a leading fish producer and exporter of fish and fishery products. Exports reached an all-time high of 13.64 lakh tonnes valuing Rs 57,587 Crores (USD 7.76 bn) dominated (74%) by exports of shrimps.  

Oceans contributes to new emerging sectors and opportunities, in addition to traditional marine employment, would be solely dependent on the health of the oceans and the long-term sustainability of their fragile ecosystems, for which it is critical to boost blue economy and devise the right plan of action to achieve the right balance between economy and environment.

With these objectives, Government has initiated “Sagar Parikrama” program with the theme of “KRANTI se SHANTI" and started first phase on 5th March, 2022 from Mandvi, Gujarat (Memorial of Shyamji Krishna Varma) to Okha-Dwarka, and completed at Porbandar birth place of Gandhiji on 06.03.2022. The program was conducted on various interactive meetings with fishermen and local coastal communities, other stakeholders. It is also proposed to felicitate fishers, progressive fish-farmers, young entrepreneurs, etc. by distribution of awards and certificates, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to the fishers & fish farmers and beneficiaries of various schemes including Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The program was a huge success, more than 5000 people has physically attended the event and program was live streamed in various social media platform such as Youtube, Facebook around 10k people watched the event.

As a mark of gratitude to our seas it is proposed to continue the journey of Sagar Parikrama Phase -II program on occasion of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava celebrations observed up to 23rd August 2023, saluting our great freedom fighters, sailors and fishers. The Sagar Parikrama Yatra - Phase-II covering Gujarat State and Diu & Daman UT, will be commenced from Mangrol  to Madhwad at Gujarat and Vanakbara UT of Diu & Daman covering 7 locations travel by IFB & ICG ship, interaction with fishermen to know the problems of Coastal Fisher folk.

The voyage Sagar Parikrama as Phase –II programme shall start on 22th September 2022 from Mangrol to Veraval  and end at Mul Dwaraka, on 23rd September 2022 from Mul Dwaraka to Madhwad , further to village visit at Diu Ghoghla followed by Vanakbara. On 24th September visit to Diu Pipavav Jetty , Siyalbet and ends at Jafrabad to Hazira , later on 25th September 2022 from Hazira to Daman  Dhodiyapada ,Umargan dist Valsad the program ends.  The entire distance will be covered from the coastline of the Arabian Sea in Gujarat and Diu &Daman.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and National Fisheries Development Board along with Department of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, Gujarat Maritime Board and fishermen representatives shall celebrate the ‘Sagar Parikrama- PHASE-II, starting from Veraval - Somnath at Circuit house on 22nd September 2022. Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala; Shri Rajeshbhai Chudasama Member of Parliament, Junagadh-Gir-Somnath, Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cow-breeding, Government of Gujarat; Shri Jitubhai Chaudhari, Honourable State Minister of Kalpsar and Fisheries; Dr. C Suvarna, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board;  Dr. J.Balaji, Joint Secretary (MF), Department of Fisheries, Government of India; Shri K.M.Bhimjiyani, Secretary (Fisheries), Govt of Gujarat and senior officials of Department of Fisheries, Govt of India, National Fisheries Development Board, Govt of Gujarat, Fishery Survey of India, Gujarat Maritime Board, and Indian Coast Guard shall grace the occasion. The journey shall be accompanied by the State Fisheries officials, Fishermen representatives, Fish-Farmers entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials and Scientists from across the nation.

During the event, certificates /sanctions related to Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha scheme, KCC & State Scheme shall be awarded to the progressive fishermen, especially costal fishermen, fishers and fish farmers, young fishery entrepreneurs etc. Literature on PMMSY scheme,  State schemes, FIDF, KCC etc. shall be popularised through print media, electronic media, videos, digital campaign through jingles to popularise among fishers for wide publicity of schemes. A song on Sagar Parikrama  sung & also music composed by Shakar Mahadevan shall also be launched encouraging the fisher folk to participate in journey. The programme shall be celebrated similarly in other coastal states in subsequent phases.

Government of India in the forefront is transforming the fisheries sector and also formulating new activities such as sea ranching, encouraging artificial reefs of coastal protection similar to eastern countries coral reefs and many management plans along with regulatory framework towards effective fisheries governance to ensure sustainable and responsible development through an ecosystem approach. The journey of Sagar Parikrama Phase –II shall focus on creating awareness utilization of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and protection of marine ecosystems.

YP/GP/MR

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(Release ID: 1861435)