Andaman scales 1.48 tonnes mark per year in fishes

Port Blair, Apr 30 (UNI) A survey conducted by the Fisheries Survey of India (FSI) has indicated the estimated potential yield of fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the archepelago to be 1.48 lakh tonnes per year, officials said.

''The fish production potential presently is limited to 25,000 tonnes per year,'' Dr V S Somvanshi, Director General Fishery Survey of India, told newspersons, during his recent visit to the islands.

Elaborating on the classification of fish, Dr Somvanshi said, out of the total potential yield, 60,000 tonnes are of Tuna variety, 56,000 tonnes are of small pelagic mixed fishes and the rest 32,000 tonnes are bottom fish.

''Progress in the promotion of fisheries in these islands can be achieved only by empowering the fishermen community and equipping them with advanced fishing technologies,'' he informed.

Besides, the fishers here are also required to be provided with larger boats to undertake deep sea fishing to enable them tap the maximum catch, he said.

Mr Somvanshi said currently, the vessel 'Matsya Drishti' is engaged in the micro filament tuna lining to survey the tuna fish in the Nicobar group of islands while the survey in Andaman has already been completed.

Unfolding the future plans of FSI, he elaborated that new vessels will be acquired within two years time from now and proposal is on the anvil for stationing one vessel in these islands, while the other vessels will give its services in the west coast of the country.

He also said that eyes have been set on commercially exploiting tuna fish in a big way.

The Andaman and Nicobar contributes about 30 per cent of the EEZ to India's total EEZ area. Its adjoining waters contain various species of untapped marine life that are highly prized as seafood and for a variety of other uses in the international market.

Dr Somvanshi, further indicated the high potential of economic activity here through export of seafood products to Singapore, which is located only 920 nm from Port Blair.

UNI