Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh held a meeting with the Agriculture & Fisheries Ministers and senior officials of the Coastal States and Union Territories of India to discuss the following:
The meeting was also attended by special invitee Shri Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister of Defence and Ex Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State for Agriculture and Shri Mohanbhai Kundaria, Minister of State for Agriculture.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that he technical committee set up to review the fishing ban period has inter-alia recommended for extension in the fishing ban from 47 days to 61 days. According to the Technical Committee report, the fishing ban on the east coast has been advised from 15th April till 14thJune (61 days) and on the West Coast from 1st June to 31stJuly (61 days). During the meeting, most of the States agreed on extending the ban period by 61 days. All the States of the West Coast agreed to extend the duration of ban period by 61 days. However, Gujarat and Goa were of the opinion that fishing ban may be extended for more than 61 days period. On the other side, Kerala has submitted its objection in extending the duration of ban for 61 days period. Similarly, the States of the East Coast supported the fishing ban period till 14th June, he said.
On the issue of deep sea fishing, Shri Singh informed that many of the states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal and Odisha emphasized that foreign vessels should not be permitted in EEZ of India and that construction of indigenous of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels having high-tech capacity may be encouraged.Â
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Shri Radha Mohan Singh further added that states were also consulted in the matter of Draft Marine Fisheries (Regulation & Management) Bill, 2012, which has been under consideration for some time. The draft of the proposed Bill was discussed with the stakeholders including Coastal States / UTs during 2009-2010. The Draft of the proposed legislation, which has been revised after incorporating the views of the stakeholders and prepared in consultation with Ministry of Law & Justice was consented by most of the States during this meeting.
After listening to opinions and suggestions of all the Coastal States/ UTs, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, the Union Agriculture Minister proposed that he will consult the above issues with Shri Manohar Parriker, Union Minister Defence and accordingly he will finalise the matter. All the states/UTs were in agreement with this proposal. Â
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