A

Port Blair, Apr 11: Scientific harvesting of fish resources, which are in abundance in the waters surrounding the islands of Andaman and Nicobar chain has the potential for becoming the hub of economic activity of India, Director General of Fishery Survey of India Dr V S Somvanshi said here today.

Dr Somvanshi, who is presently visiting the remote archipelago, told reporters in Port Blair that the estimated potential yield of fish resources per year in the Exclusive Economic Zone of A&N Islands was 1.48 lakh tons against the present exploit of only 25,000 tons annually.

''The FSI has stationed its survey vessel, Blue Marlin here for locating new fishing areas which is assisted by other vessels from Chennai and Vizag,'' he said.

Experts suggested that promotion of fisheries in these islands are possible only by empowering the fishermen community besides, equipping them with advanced fishing technologies and providing them larger boats to undertake deep sea and distant water fishing to enable them to tap maximum fishery potential.

''FSI is presently conducting workshops and interaction meeting with fishermen in this group of islands to create awareness among the fishermen about the schemes meant for them, dissemination of information about fish resources and the techniques to be used for harvesting them. They are also provided with practical training in fishing,'' he added.

Presently, the FSI A&N Island is concentrating on the survey of a large group tunas, marlins, sailfish and sword fish resources for which most advanced technique of Micro Filament Tuna long lining technique is used for harvesting the tunas.

Currently, the vessel "Matsya Drishti" was engaged in the micro filament Tuna Lining to survey the Tuna fish in tsunami hit Nicobar group of Islands while the survey in Andaman is already complete.

The data collected would provide precise information on distribution, abundance, seasonal variation and annual maximum sustainable yield level of these resources, he added.

The FSI Director General informed media that some new vessels would be acquired within two years time from now, of which one will be stationed in these islands, while others will give its services in the West Coast.

Besides this, the most commercially important component was going to be tuna and tuna like fishes for these islands, the DG said.

About the scope of sea food processing, Dr Somvanshi said for supporting fisheries activities and utilising the increased fish production in these isles infrastructures such as a modern fishing harbour, fish handling facilities, preservation and storage units and fish processing plants are must.

However, the DG said that unless there is a marketing export linkage with International markets the target of economic growth of Andamans will not be achieved.

UNI