Shillong, July 12: Shri. A. L Hek, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya attended the 2nd Fisheries Summer Meet, 2024 on the 12th July, 2024 held at Madurai, Tamil Nadu, organized by Department of Fisheries, Government of India along with Shri S. C. Sadhu, Secretary, Fisheries, and A.L. Mawlong, Director of Fisheries.
The event was marked by the e-inauguration of projects by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India, in the presence of Unoin Minister of State, Fisheries, and other State Ministers and dignitaries where projects across India, funded under PMMSY.
The project were e-inaugurated, including four projects worth 57 lakhs of Ri Bhoi District, viz, Fish Kiosk at Liarbang of Shri Ronal Tado, Biofloc Pond at Mawkangi and Mawiong, Sohbang of Shri Pyrkhatjngai Syngkli and Smti Manbhatiolin Kharmyndai, Indigenous Breeding Unit at Lalumpam Marngar of Shri Gumbir Syiem.
In his address, Shri A.L.Hek, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya, underscored Meghalaya’s profound commitment to sustainable development in fisheries, highlighting its pivotal role in the State’s socio-economic fabric.
In a significant update on Meghalaya’s Fisheries Sector, Shri A. L Hek highlighted its growth despite being in its infant stage, with over 35,000 fish farmers and 4,500 hectares under fish culture.
He emphasized the sector’s 12.33% production growth from 4799 MT in 2011-12 to 20,208 MT in 2023-24, attributing this success to the State and Central Government initiatives, with special recognition to the fish farmers of the State.
Acknowledging Fisheries as not only a livelihood but a cultural and environmental cornerstone, the Minister cited Meghalaya’s increased per capita fish consumption to 11 kilograms in the past five years, boosted by programs like the Blue Revolution and PMMSY.
He highlighted the addition of 2,299 hectares through these schemes, along with advancements in technology and critical infrastructures benefiting fish production.
Looking forward, the Minister outlined Meghalaya’s strategic focus on sustainable practices, exemplified by the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission and conservation efforts for native fish species through community-managed sanctuaries and protective breeding areas.
He announced plans for the mission’s third phase, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency through enhanced financial frameworks. Addressing challenges unique to Meghalaya’s terrain, the Minister stressed the importance of timely financial assistance and insurance in mitigating natural calamities’ impact on fish farmers, calling for robust collaboration across sectors.
In closing, the Minister earnestly appealed to the Hon’ble Union Minister and the concerned officers to expedite the approval and sanction of schemes proposed by the Fisheries Department of Meghalaya since the last Summer Meet in 2023 for the benefit of the fish farmers.
He also extended an invitation to stakeholders to collaborate with Meghalaya in forging a sustainable future for fisheries. He emphasized leveraging the State’s unique strengths, such as cave fishes and ornamental fisheries, to drive innovation and conservation efforts.
Reaffirming Meghalaya’s commitment to exemplary leadership in responsible fisheries management, he urged the development of actionable strategies that not only benefit the state but also contribute to global conservation endeavors. 2 nd Fisheries Summer Meet 2024 Madurai, Tamil Nadu
