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New Delhi : The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, will celebrate ‘World Fisheries Day’ on November 21, 2020, at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, will be the Chief Guest on the occasion. Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Minister for Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Government of Uttar Pradesh, is coming to receive the award on behalf of Uttar Pradesh, for the best performing State in inland fisheries sector. Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, will grace the occasion. The fishers, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials and Scientist from across the nation will also be participating at the event.
During the event, for the first time in Fisheries Sector the Government of India will award best performing States for 2019-20 namely, Odisha (amongst Marine states), Uttar Pradesh (amongst Inland states) and Assam (amongst Hilly and NE states), according to a PIB release.
The Govt. of India will also award best Organisations for 2019-20 [Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd. (for Marine); Telangana State Fishermen Cooperative societies Federation Ltd (for Inland), and Assam Apex Cooperative Fish Marketing and Processing Federation Ltd. (for Hilly region)]; Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh as best Marine District; Kalahandi, Odisha as best Inland District; Nagaon, Assam as Best Hilly and NE District.
World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November 21 every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers and stakeholders concerned across the globe. It started in 1997 when “World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers” met at New Delhi leading to formation of “World Fisheries Forum” with representatives from 18 countries and signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies.
The Government of India is in the forefront of transforming the sector and to usher in economic revolution through Blue Revolution in the country. India is leading fish producing country and second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world. This year, on September,10, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) at an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of five years, i.e., from 2020-21 to 2024-25. PMMSY aims to achieve fish production of 22 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2024-25 and also to create an additional employment opportunity to about 55 lakh people.