Aquaculture to be taken up in 40,000 minor tanks

Nellore: Commissioner of Fisheries, Ram Shankar Naik, said that the State government is considering development of aquaculture in and around 40,000 minor irrigation tanks in the State. He addressed an awareness session for cooperative societies of fishing communities at ZP conference hall here on Tuesday.

He said that the State government is taking measures to achieve 46 lakh tonnes of fish production this year. The Commissioner said that the maximum lease of aqua ponds have been extended up to three years. He said that the government is roping in experts from Cochin and other cities for providing training and skills to local people in packing fishes.

He pointed out that fish is the best source for many important nutrients that are useful for body as chicken and mutton are creating health problems. Naik said that there is a demand for fish seed worth Rs 150 crore but only 14 crore worth seed is being supplied from Kaikalur. He asked fishermen societies to produce the seed keeping in view of meeting the huge demand.

The Irrigation department is also providing permission for fish seed production, he said and appealed to the societies to handle the task. Additional Joint Collector R Salmon Rajkumar asked the fishermen societies to improve the growth rate in fishing sector. He said tanks and water bodies have plenty of water during heavy rains in November last and there is huge potential for fish production.

He said 1.35 crore fish seed released into reservoirs and tanks in the district and they will grow up to 1 kg weight in between July and August. He suggested not to provide antibiotics or any feed to the fish that contaminate water in the tanks. Joint director of Fisheries department Sitaramaraju said there are 120 fishermen societies in the district and they had received Rs 20 crore from budget last year. District Cooperative Officer Rajeswara Rao and other officials were present.