Union Minister for Fisheries,   Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri  Parshottam Rupala and the Minister of State for  Fisheries,  Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L Murugan, will participate in the Sagar Parikrama event in Kerala and Lakshadweep from tomorrow till the 12^th of this month.

Certificates and sanctions related to Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada scheme (PMMSY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) shall be awarded to the progressive fishermen, fishers and fish farmers and  young fishery entrepreneurs during the events.  Literature on PMMSY scheme, UT schemes, e-shram, FIDF and KCC shall be popularised through mass media as also digital campaigns through jingles among fishers for wide publicity of schemes.

Kerala Fisheries Minister Shri Saji Cherian and senior officials from   the Department of Fisheries from the Union and State Government, UT Administration of Lakshadweep, National Fisheries Development Board, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India and fishermen representatives shall also take part.

Kerala is blessed with 590 kms of rich coastline and fisheries sector plays an important role in the economy of the State as well as socio-economic wellbeing of the fishers and other stakeholders. The State has around 222 marine fishing villages where fishing and relative aspects provide livelihood to a vast majority of the population. The aquatic biodiversity and fish wealth of Kerala sustain more than 10 lakh fisherfolk and supports numerous additional activities including commercial fishing and   aquaculture.

Lakshadweep has a vast lagoon of 4,200 sq. kms, territorial waters of 20,000 Sq. Km, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 4,00,000 lakhs sq. kms and coastal line of about 132 Kms. The sea around Lakshadweep is rich in pelagic fishery resources especially tuna fish resources.

Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala, has taken unique initiative of “Sagar Parikrama” to visit coastal areas of entire country through a pre-decided sea route to meet fishermen, fish farmers and beneficiaries of various Government Schemes, and to interact with them to hear directly from them about their issues and suggestions to further uplift the fisheries sector in the country for the benefits of the fishers and other stakeholders. First   phase of the journey of “Sagar Parikrama” began  from Mandvi, Gujarat on 5^th March 2022 and so far in the Six Phases of Sagar Parikrama have been completed covering  coastal areas of Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.   Sagar Parikrama Phase-VII shall cover the coastal areas of Kerala and Lakshadweep including visits of locations like Mangalore, Kasargode, Madakkara, Pallikkara, Chalium, Kanhangadu, Kozhikode, Mahe (Puducherry), Beypore, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kochi and Islands of Lakshadweep namely, Kavaratti, Bangaram and Agatti etc.

Sagar Parikrama is contributing to disseminate information on fisheries related schemes and programmes being  implemented by the  Government, showcasing the best practices,  to promote responsible fisheries and demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolks and stakeholders.

****

SP/NJ

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 1930400) आगंतुक पटल : 17