• During the course interaction, APC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary enquired about the type of fish to be cultured in different type of water bodies and its cost benefit. He also stressed the need for involvement of Fishery Department with the project planning of Water Resource Department at the time of designing of the Water Body Project for convergence of purposes. 
  
  He further observed to take initiative to produce Fish Seeds in March & April to meet the market demand and to prevent sale of poor quality seed by producers of neighbouring states. There is also need to enforce control over private producers for the purpose of ensuring production of quality seeds.
  
  Director of Fisheries, Orissa stressed the need for registration of hatchery operators to put a check on production of substandard seed.
  

• He further suggested that as Water Resources Department have transferred MIPs below 40 hectare Mean Water Spread Area to the control of Gram Panchayats to exercise Fishery rights, the Panchayati Raj Department should direct the Gram Panchayat authorities to lease out MIPs on long-term basis for availing institutional finance and to take up Pisciculture on Scientific basis under the supervision of Fishery Officials. Some members suggested to take up Poly Culture with M. Malcolmsoni and to develop a hatchery for this purpose.
  
  The Joint Director of Fisheries (Level-I), Orissa advised not to restrict the farmer’s choice on fish seed unless a coherent Policy is formulated in the neighbouring States.

Technical Session–II – Reservoir :–

Sri B. C. Jha, Principal Scientist, CIFRI, Barrackpore made a power point presentation on “Policy directives and productivity aspects of Reservoir Fisheries”.He explained to the house that the national average of production of large, medium & small reservoirs are in the order of 12.50, 11.30 & 49.90 Kg./ha./year respectively.

Sri Jha made the following Suggestions :-

• Uniform nomenclature of reservoirs as large, medium & small as per FAO guidelines instead of major medium & minor.

• Cage rearing of fingerlings in the reservoir.
  
  Intervening in the discussion APC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary suggested for adherence to FAO nomenclature & experimentation of fingerling rearing by Cage Culture if found economical.

After a thorough deliberation the following points were suggested :-

• To ascertain the Mean Water Spread Area (MWSA) by suitable satellite imagery mapping and encouragement of entrepreneurs in the event of reluctance of the PFCS / SHG for scientific Pisciculture in reservoirs.

• To explore the scope of use of canal water by farmers for Pisciculture.

• Advance marketing arrangements with suitable post-harvesting care.

• Preparation of value added products like dry fish, smoke fish, frozen fish, fish curry, pickles etc. to provide remunerative price to the producers at affordable price to the consumers.

• To disperse with land conversion charges and reduce electricity tariff at par with agriculture as has been done in neighbouring States.

Brackish Water Sector :–

Sri S. K. Mohanty, Ex-Joint Director of Fisheries and Engineer Sanjaya Mohanty highlighted the culture practices and regulatory measures existing in the Brackish Water sector in the State, where 89% are small farmers. They pointed out the following issues to be addressed under the Policy.

• Since Government proposes additional production of 30,000 MT from the sector and the sector is sophisticated and risk oriented more entrepreneurs should be attracted to this sector.

• In view of declaration of Government land as National Park, Sanctuaries, Mangrove forests etc. there is need for resurvey of potential sources for Brackish water Pisciculture.

• Adoption of a pragmatic leasing policy for development of this sector.

• Easy adherence to Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) regulation and quick obtaining of permission of Aquaculture Authority of India within the time frame applicable to different levels.

• Making quality hatchery seed available in the State.

• Quick health monitoring facility to be provided to respective regions at affordable price.

• Publication of CRZ mapping for Orissa coast.

• Exemption of water tax and land conversion charge.

• Power tariff at par with Agriculture.

• Exemption of Sales Tax on shrimp seed transportation.

• Research & development should be strengthened to tackle the disease problem and health monitoring.

• Basic infrastructure like approach road, supply of drinking water, landing infrastructure facilities to be widened in the Fish Landing Centres, Fishing Jetties, Fishing Harbours and culture in clusters.

• Institutional credit and insurance coverage of the sector.

• Minimum support price to the farmers in case of market fluctuation / natural calamity etc.

• Exemption of Sales Tax on imports of equipments, materials viz. seed / feed / medicine / chemicals in prawn farming sector.

• Rational distribution of shrimp brood stock.

• Unrestricted movement / sale of seed inside the State.

• Inclusion of Farmers in the District Level Committees.

• Adequate extension machinery with required budget provisions.

Marine Sector & Socio-economic Issues :–

Sri T. K. Behera, Joint Director of Fisheries (Level-I), Orissa, Sri R. Mishra, Retired. Deputy Director of Fisheries and Professor R. C. Bhatt highlighted the issues and problems relating to marine sector and suggested to incorporate the following Socio-economic issues in the policy document.

• To conduct a thorough resource survey (depth wise, sector wise).

• Proper catch statistics should be maintained.

• Licensing procedure should be framed with delegation of power.

• Ban on mesh size and catch time.

• Adherence to Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishery.

• To cover more people under Welfare-cum-Saving schemes, old age pension etc.

• Pen culture may be introduced in Chilka during October – January and dredging of Chilka month should be made early.

• Participating in the discussion Sri B. K. Das, President, Sea Food Exporters Association informed to the house on present export system and requested the house to develop the export standard so as to encourage more unemployed youths in the trade.

Valedictory session :–

The valedictory session was addressed by APC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary. In his valedictory remarks the APC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa elaborated the need for a Comprehensive Fishery Policy for the State to bring about overall development of Fisheries sector in the State. He advised the members to examine all aspects linked with fish production, marketing, socio-economic issues, conservation measures, natural calamities and safety measures as to make the policy a sustainable one. He further advised to keep in view the following points while preparing the draft policy document.

• Recording of genuine data.

• Engagement of suitable qualified experts wherever needed.

• Policy to be framed in consultation with all stakeholders in the sector.

• Conservation, measures, regulatory measures and ban on fishing activity should be enforced keeping in view long-term benefits and provision of alternative means of living.

• To keep an officer / representative of UNDP at the Directorate of Fisheries, Orissa, Cuttack with required logistic support viz.; computer with internet facility, Fax, Phone etc. along with mobility support for coordinating various activities of different sub-committees.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair and all the participants.

APC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary
Government of Orissa