Andaman & Nicobar Island has immense fisheries resources with long coastline and huge India’s EEZ. Estimated annual fisheries potential of Andaman & Nicobar Island is about 1.48 lakh tonne. Out of that only 0.49 lakh tonnes have harvested so far. There is huge scope to established fisheries hub in Andaman & Nicobar Island including Tuna fisheries, seaweed and ornamental fisheries. Therefore, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India visited various fisheries infrastructures and activities in the Islands and interacted with all concerned stakeholders including Scientists, Government Officials, entrepreneurs, fishers, fish vendors etc.
During his visit to Andaman & Nicobar Base of the Fishery Survey of India (FSI), Dr. Likhi reviewed the ongoing activities and highlighted on future strategies to to developed Tuna Cluster, a key initiative for enhancing the region’s tuna fishing potential and export opportunity.He urged to both FSI & Fisheries Department of A & N Administration to work together for development of fisheries sector of the Island including enhancing fishing skill and welfare of fishermen. Dr. Likhi also visited MFV Blue Marlin, a survey vessel of the FSI based in Port Blair. Scientists onboard provided him with insights into the Tuna longliner operations, showcasing the vessel's role in advancing sustainable fishing techniques and data collection in the region.
Dr. Likhi visited Junglighat Fish Market which was established under erstwhile Blue Revolution Scheme and interacted with local fish vendors to understand their challenges and explore avenues for improvement in fish marketing and handling practices. He enquired about the quantity and variety of fish available in this markets and how to further improve its management and maintenance.
Dr. Likhi visited Junglighat Fish Landing Centre which is one of the major fish landing centre of the Island. He interacted with the fishermen in depth to know their present fishing practices, variety of fish catch and their economics, existing facility in the landing centre and present operational challenges. Fishermen highlighted and requested to resolve the issues such as dredging, water facility, Ice plants, Diesel subsidy etc.
Dr. Likhi visited Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBC) of Peneus monodon established by RGCA at Kodiyaghat with objective to supply Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) brood and seed for sustainable shrimp aquaculture. At present the shrimp aquaculture in India depends on one species i.e., L. vanammei. He highlighted and directed to Officials of MPEDA & RGCA for necessary action to supply SPF P. monodon brooder to hatcheries and further SPF seed supply to farmers.
Dr. Likhi visited the seaweed demonstration site taken up by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) at Chidiyatapu and interacted with NIOT officials and local fishers’ communities on mass scale seaweed cultivation in A& N Islands. He enquired about the area available and suitable species for seaweed cultivation in the Islands. He urged to Scientists of NIOT and Officials of Fisheries Department of UT Administration for mass awareness on benefit of seaweed cultivation among the fishers and training and active involvement of fishers for demonstration of seaweed cultivation.
He also visited the Monsoon fish processing Plant established at Port Blair in Private sector & enquired about the present status of fish processing in the Island. He stressed on to enhance the fish processing methods especially for tuna processing. He also discussed with the entrepreneurs regarding present gaps in post-harvest value chain including cold chain, processing, marketing and exports.