World Fisheries Day 2020: Uttar Pradesh adjudged best performing state

The ‘World Fisheries Day’ was celebrated on November 21, 2020.

• The day was celebrated with the theme of ‘Social responsibility in the fisheries value chain’

• World Fisheries Day is celebrated on 21^st November every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders 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”

Fisheries awards

• For the first time in Fisheries Sector the Government of India awarded the best performers in the fisheries sector. Here are the list of winners:

• Best performing States for 2019-20 : Odisha (amongst Marine states), Uttar Pradesh (amongst Inland states) and Assam (amongst Hilly and NE states).

• 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)];

• Best Marine District: Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh

Fisheries in India

• India is leading fish producing country and second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.

• Fisheries sector in India provides direct employment to about 28 million fishers and fish farmers besides meeting the food and nutritional security and foreign exchange earnings.

• India contributes about 7.7% to the global fish production and country ranks 4^th in global exports of fish products.

• The Fisheries sector has contributed about 1.24% to the national GVA and about 7.28% of the agricultural GVA in 2018-19.

• The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Blue Revolution” was launched in December, 2015.

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: On September 10, 2020, Prime Minister Shri 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 to 22 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2024-25 and also to create an additional employment opportunity to about 55 lakh people.