Schemes for protecting endangered fresh water fish

Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 (UNI) The government formulated a scheme to protect about 16 endangered species of fresh water fish in Kerala's rivers, Fisheries Minister S Sarma told the Assembly today.

In a written reply to Mr V Surendran Pillai (Cong-J) and others, he said the Fisheries Department had drawn up projects for setting up fish breeding centres at Sasthamkotta Lake in the Kollam district and Athirapally river in the Thrissur district.

Mr Sarma said the government had released Rs eight lakh for the purpose and the Fisheries Director had already taken steps to implement the scheme.

Sixteen out of the 174 species of fresh water fish were facing extinction.

A study by the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources on the subject was under serious consideration of the government, he added.

UNI