(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote Eco-friendly fishing practices among fishermen in the country;
(b) whether any long-term or short-term exploratory survey is being done by the Government on the available fishery resources in the country to devise appropriate and scientific fishing strategies and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any bio-diversity study is also being conducted for analysis of consequences of over fishing; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) has notified a ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 (NPMF) recently on 28.4.2017, which aims at sustainable utilization of marine fishery resources and promotes eco-friendly fishing practices among fishermen in the country. Besides, a uniform fishing ban of 61 days is implemented in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to promote sustainability in fisheries and to attain a healthy marine ecosystem. Based on the scientific advice, some maritime states have implemented minimum legal sizes (MLS) of capture of commercial fishes to promote eco-friendly fishing practices among fishermen. All maritime states have also declared legal mesh size for trawl-nets and other gears as a part of marine fisheries management measure. In coastal waters where turtles are present for breeding, the respective maritime States have enforced Turtle Exclusion Device (TED) in trawl nets as an eco-friendly practice.
(b) Yes Madam, Scientific institutions such as Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) conduct long-term and short-term exploratory fishery resource surveys to assess the status of availability and distribution of marine fishery resources. The FSI and CMFRI have brought out the survey results as fishery charts and maps for major fishery resources.
(c) & (d) The CMFRI has a Marine Biodiversity Division focusing attention on impact of over fishing on marine biodiversity; specifically studying the impact of bottom trawling and other gears on marine fauna. Based on these studies the CMFRI has identified fishing gears and locations where significant impacts on biodiversity have occurred.
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