The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has launched the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav marking 75 years of independence. Phase III of Sagar Parikrama will be underway between 19^th to 21^st February 2023 in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Phase-III ‘Sagar Parikrama’ shall begin from Surat, Hazira Port, Gujarat on 19th February 2023 with Media interaction, followed by a journey towards the coastal belt of Maharashtra. Covering the coastal areas of northern Maharashtra namely, Satpati, Vasai, Versova, Sasson Dock, and other areas of Mumbai during 20-21 February 2023.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, will visit coastal communities in Maharashtra and interact with fisherman and fish farmers during the Parikrama. The journey shall be accompanied by senior officials of the Department of Fisheries, Govt of India, National Fisheries Development Board, Fishery Survey of India, Indian Coast Guard, 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 Sampada scheme, KCC& State Scheme shall be awarded to the progressive fishermen, especially coastal fishermen, fishers and fish farmers, young fishery entrepreneurs etc. Literature on PMMSY scheme, State schemes, e-shram, FIDF, KCC etc. shall be popularised through print media, electronic media, videos, digital campaign through jingles among fishers for wide publicity of schemes. A song on Sagar Parikrama in Marathi shall also be launched.

The journey of Sagar Parikrama shall focus on the sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for the food security of the nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and the protection of marine ecosystems, to bridge the gaps of fisher communities, and their expectations, development of fishing villages, upgradation and creation of infrastructure such as fishing harbours & landing centres to ensure sustainable and responsible development through an ecosystem approach.

As a prelude to the Parikrama, a campaign for promotion of Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries was held on 16^th and 17^th February 2023 in Maharashtra by Department of Fisheries, Government of India. A team of officers from Department of Fisheries, GoI Dr. Niyati Joshi, Shri. Nikhil Kumar and Shri Sagar Kuveskar, Dr. Sandeep P. Jadhav from state Government of Maharashtra met and had a camp meeting at Vasai on 16^th February 2023 and in Sasson Dock on 17^th February 2023. The Fishers and Fish farmers were made aware about KCC for fisheries, its registration process & its benefits during the event.

Maharashtra State has a 720 km long coastline covering 5 coastal districts Thane, Raigad, Greater Mumbai, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Fisher folk, vendors, and industries have a direct stake in the development of the fisheries sector in economic value, especially exports.

Sagar Parikrama program is being organized through a pre-decided sea route covering coastal states/UTs. The Phase I Programme of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ organized in Gujarat, started on 5th March, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on 6th March 2022 at Porbandar, Gujarat. Phase II of the Sagar Parikrama voyage started on 22th September 2022 from Mangrol to Veraval and ended at Mul Dwaraka, on 23rd September 2022 from Mul Dwaraka to Madhwad. The journey will continue in phases till the entire coastline of India is covered.

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