To celebrate the contribution and achievements of fishers and fish farmers and other stakeholders and reinforce commitment towards sustainable and equitable development of the fisheries sector, Department of Fisheries, Government of India is organising the Global Fisheries Conference India 2023, on the occasion of World Fisheries Day. The two-day event will be held on 21st and 22nd of November 2023 in Ahmedabad with the theme ‘Celebrate the Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth’. This was said by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala during a curtain raiser press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.
Parshottam Rupala highlighted that the Department of Fisheries has invited foreign missions, experts, government officials, think tanks, academia, international organisations, industry associations and other key stakeholders for the Global Fisheries Conference. Rupala said key organisations such as the World Bank, FAO and many countries have confirmed participation and they are looking forward to hosting them.
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The minister also addressed the questions from the media regarding shrimp cultivation, fisheries infrastructure development, financial inclusion, promoting domestic fish consumption and the way forward for the sustainable development of fisheries. Parshottam Rupala said that the Indian fisheries sector has shown growth in inland fish production, export, and aquaculture particularly inland fisheries that make up for more than 70 per cent of the fish production with cumulative efforts from Centre, states and union territories and beneficiaries in all fields.
Addressing the press conference, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L. Murugan informed that the ministry has been focusing on sustainable growth and Global Fisheries Conference India 2023, which provides a platform for all the stakeholders such as fishers, farmers, industry, coastal communities, exporters, research institutes, investors, exhibitors to come together at one platform and connect for exchanging ideas, information on relevant technologies and market linkage opportunities. He further highlighted that the conference will also showcase the developments and government initiatives taken in the fisheries sector such as Sagar Parikrama, PMMSY, and fisheries infrastructure among other initiatives.
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Union Minister Parshottam Rupala also unveiled an event logo that symbolises the Indian fisheries sector is achieving newer heights globally and a significant contribution of the fishers and fishermen communities in nation-building.
The fisheries sector is considered as a sunrise sector and has immense potential for bringing equitable and inclusive growth by economic empowerment of the weaker section of the society. With an 8 per cent share in global fish production, India is the 3rd largest fish producer, 2nd largest aquaculture producer, largest shrimp producer and 4th largest seafood exporter in the world.
The Indian fisheries sector has been consistently growing and it has been the endeavour of the Department of Fisheries, GoI to sustain the progress to not only achieve PMMSY targets of 22 MMT fish production but also Rs 1 lakh crore exports by FY 2024-25. The sector has also been instrumental in providing sustainable incomes and livelihoods to Rs 3 crore fishers and fish farmers in the country. Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi was also present at the press conference.
