Maharashtra sends experts on deep sea fishing to Pondy

Puducherry, Mar 17 (UNI) The State government has sent two experts to impart two-day training on deep sea fishing to the fishermen of the Union Territory.

While inaugurating tsunami shelters constructed by the Maharashtra government at Veerampatinam recently, Mr Deshmukh promised to help Puducherry in deep sea fishing.

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today inaugurated the training programme.

In his address, Mr Rangasamy assured all assistance to set up the infrastructure needed for deep sea fishing.

Puducherry Minister for Fisheries M O H F Shajahan said the government proposed to set up a centre for deep sea fishing at a cost of Rs 90 crore.

He said several infrastructural facilities, including fishing vessels and preservation facilities, were required. The funds would be provided by the Centre.

The centre would be set up at any of the three places -- Kirumambakkam, Pannithittu and Narambai.

The training programme is to make the Puducherry fishermen get acquainted with deep sea fishing which would double the fish production here from the present 35,000 tonnes.

Maharashtra Fisheries Commissioner Upamanya Chatterjee said since marine production was going down in all States, fishermen would have to be equipped with deep sea fishing capabilities.

He said Maharashtra had earned Rs 1,347 crore during 2006 by way of marine exports.

A deep sea fishing vessel from Maharashtra was brought to Puducherry. The fishermen here would be given on board training tomorrow.

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