The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Need to promote deep-sea fishing in State: Chunkath

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 26, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Need to promote deep-sea fishing in State: Chunkath

Special Correspondent

Awards given to student scientists and researchers

CHENNAI: Animal Husbandry Minister Geetha Jeevan on Saturday gave away the Professional Fisheries Graduate Forum Awards to student scientists and researchers in Chennai.

The Best Fisheries Graduate Awards and the Best Fisheries Scientist Awards, instituted by the Association of Fisheries College Alumni, Tuticorin and Chennai Chapters, were presented at a function held at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation at Taramani.

Congratulating the award winners as well as the forum for giving away the awards, she pointed out that to achieve the development targets set by the Chief Minister, it would be essential to focus on areas such as animal husbandry, fisheries and agriculture, and in this the collaboration of all stakeholders was important. Animal Husbandry Special Commissioner Mohan Verghese Chunkath said deep-sea fishing must be promoted in a big way in Tamil Nadu to increase productivity. At present, boats did not go further than 20 miles. Indian fishermen could fish up to 200 miles. Large number of fish were found in the deep sea, untouched by the Indian fishermen and exploited by vessels from other countries, he said.

While considerable progress had been made in shrimp aquaculture in the State, other areas required to be explored. The Dean of the Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tuticorin, R. Santhanam, said it was necessary to enhance inland and marine fishing sources.

He indicated that natural habitats would have to be protected, artificial reefs constructed and sea hatching encouraged. M. Velayutham, executive director, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, said science had a commitment to society: it would have to enhance the livelihood, quality of life, employment opportunities and trade.

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