(a) whether there has been a great fall in the production of fish from sea and rivers of Tsunami affected States particularly coastal areas of Kerala;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the corrective measures being taken by the Government to stimulate the fish production?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): There is no evidence to suggest any fall in the production of fish from sea and rivers of tsunami affected States, particularly coastal areas of Kerala. At least in certain instances higher catch rate has been reported post tsunami. Any fluctuation in catches could be due to a temporary phenomenon of upwelling of bottom sediments and consequent reduction in dissolved oxygen forcing fish stocks to migrate.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi and the Fishery Survey of India(FSI), Mumbai have taken up studies to ascertain the changes to the living organisms including marine fish stock due to tsunami.
The studies include impact of tsunami on coastal fish stocks, rapid assessment of the impact of tsunami on the coral reef ecosystem of Andamans, socio-economic conditions of coastal communities in Peninsular India and assessment of post tsunami microbial and chemical hazards of public health significance in seafood.
In addition, FSI has deployed seven exploratory survey vessels to survey coastal, deep sea and oceanic fish resources in terms of their distribution in time and space, abundance and stock availability.