Cabinet approves National Fisheries Development Board

New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved the setting up of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), involving a projected cost of Rs 2,100 crore during the next six years.

The approval for the NFDB was given with the major objectives of bringing fisheries and aquaculture for focussed attention and professional management to improve production and to achieve sustainable management by carrying out programmes such as intensive aquaculture, reservoir fisheries, brackish-water acquaculture, mariculture, seaweed cultivation, development of infrastructure and streamlining of domestic marketing.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to create the required number of posts as well as the setting up of a Governing Body and an Executive Committee.

The Cabinet decision will help in increasing the annual fish production by 3.9 million tonnes at the end of six year period. It will also generate direct employment to 3.5 million persons and generate an income of Rs 95 crore per annum to the Board.

The activities will also ensure development of suitable infrastructure as well as effective management and optimum utilisation of fishery resources. The Board will become self-sufficient by then.

The NFDB will be set up under the Societies Registration Act, 1960.

All the fisheries institutes functioning under the Department, at present, with specific objectives shall be closely involved with the functioning of the NFDB to ensure synergy in the working of the Board and these institutes.

UNI BBS DKS DS1445