Fish exports, shrimp production and exports have doubled in the country in the last nine years due to the thrust given to the sector by the central government, said Union minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying, Parshottam Rupala, here on Tuesday.
Speaking after inaugurating an international conclave on ‘mainstreaming climate change into international fisheries governance and strengthening of fisheries management measures in the Indo-Pacific region,’ he said the fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairy departments used to function under agriculture ministry. “Soon after BJP came to power, a new department was formed, and ministers appointed,” he said.
Fish production in the country, which was only 95.79 lakh tons during 2013-14, rose to 131.37 lakh tons in 2022-23. The annual shrimp production was 3.22 lakh tons in 2013-14 period, but touched 11.84 lakh tons in 2022-23. Similarly, annual shrimp exports earned a revenue of ₹19,368 crore in 2013-14, whereas in the 2022-23 period, it fetched ₹43,135 crore from the exports, he said.
Asked about the plea of Tamil Nadu fishermen on the East Coast, who wanted the fishing ban season to be clubbed with that of the West Coast, he said the issue was being discussed.