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New Delhi : The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, and National Fisheries Development, is celebrating the ‘World Fisheries Day’ on November 21, 2021, at Rail Auditorium, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister ParshottamRupala, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan, Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Fisheries, Dr. C Suvarana, Chief Executive, NFDB, will  be prominent among those present on the occasion.

During the event, for the second time in Fisheries Sector, the Government of India will award best performing States for 2020-21, best district for Inland, Marine, Hilly & North-eastern region, Best Quasi Government Organisation/ Federation/ Corporation/ Board Inland, Marine, Hilly & North-eastern region. Besides, there will be award felicitations to best Fish Farmer (Inland, Marine and Hilly & NE Region),best Hatchery (Fish, shrimp and Trout Hatchery),best Fisheries Enterprises,best Fisheries Co-operative societies/FPOs/SHGs, best Individual Entrepreneurs, best Innovation idea/Technology Infusion.

During the event, technical sessions will also be held in which Scientists from ICAR-CIFA will participate in the afternoon session. Entire proceedings would be live-telecast to have wider outreach.

The  Prime Minister in May, 2020, had launched the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) ” with a budget of over Rs 20,050 crore for a period of five years. PMMSY aims to achieving fish production of 22 MMT from the current 15.0 MMT by 2024-25 and to create an additional employment opportunity to about 55 lakh people through this sector.

World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November 21 every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers, and stakeholders concerned throughout the world. It started in 1997 where “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 event aims to draw attention to over fishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats to the sustainability of our marine and freshwater resources. The celebrations serve to focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystems.