Kannur, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Kerala government is setting ambitious goals for its fisheries sector. Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor announced plans to raise the sector’s contribution to state revenue from the current 1.76% to 5%. He made this statement during a district-level review meeting held at the Thalassery sub-collector’s office in Kannur.
Gafoor emphasized the need for all agencies and departments related to fisheries to compile comprehensive data on ongoing projects, land assets, and incomplete plans. He highlighted the importance of effectively implementing new government initiatives. Additionally, he mentioned that the government is developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for maritime safety, aimed at enhancing the response capabilities of fisheries department officials during emergencies.
The minister assured that necessary measures will be taken to improve the conditions at the Thalai Harbour and Gopalpetta Fish Landing Centre. He also stressed the importance of strengthening inland fisheries in Kannur and directed that all fishing boats must be monitored for mandatory transponder use.
During the meeting, R. Jugnu, the deputy director of the fisheries department, presented a detailed report on the department’s activities and needs in the district. She underscored the necessity of completing dredging work at major fish ports to restore their full capacity. Key demands from the marine fisheries sector include expanding cold storage facilities, providing refrigerated transport vehicles, supplying ice boxes for small boats, biometric registration for fishermen, diesel subsidies, and financial assistance for replacing wooden boats with steel or fiber alternatives.
Jugnu also addressed challenges in inland fisheries, highlighting the need for support for individual farmers, launching production-based incentive schemes, providing free electricity, and conducting regular training programs.
Representatives from the Kerala State Coastal Development Corporation, Fisheries Board, ADKE, the fisheries department, cooperative societies, and Matsyafed shared their activities and needs with the minister. Officials from the Harbour Engineering Department presented the current status and requirements of the Thalai, Ajikkal, and Mappila Bay fish ports, as well as various fish landing centers in the region.
P. Biju, the district social justice officer, provided an overview of the social justice department’s activities, calling for a review of various grants and the payment of pending dues.
The meeting was chaired by Thalassery Municipal Council President K. Chandrasekharan. The fisheries department’s special secretary Abdul Nasir, joint deputy director P. Anish, and the minister’s private secretary N. Padmakumar also addressed the attendees.
During his visit to Kannur, Minister Abdul Gafoor inspected the Thalai Fishing Harbour, assessed its conditions, and later toured the feed mill and fish market in Thalassery.
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