Karnataka > Fisheries in Karnataka
The State is having rich resources for fisheries development. About 27,000 sq km of continental shelf all along the 300 km coastal line and about 4.57 lakh ha. of inland water spread area offer immense scope for fisheries development. Apart from this, there are 8,000 ha of brackish water area available for the development of Shrimp Fisheries. Inland fishery resources consist of 4.15 lakh ha of tanks and ponds and 2.16 lakh ha of reservoir. In addition, it has 6,000 km of river length.
Presently an area of 7,000 sq.km of continental shelf is being exploited by small mechanised boats. State's mechanised fishing fleet has 2,471 shrimp trawlers, 327 purse-seiners and 1,639 mechanised gillnet units, including 11,500 traditional boats intensively operating in the inshore waters. The marine fish catches fluctuated between 1.2 to 2 lakh tonnes. Fisheries play an important role in the economy of the coastal districts of the State. Nearly 96,000 fishermen are engaged in fishing in the coastal districts.
Less than half of the existing inland fishery potential is being utilised for fish production, mainly on account of shortage offish seed. Fish seed production during 1998-99 was around 140 million fry and average inland fish production was around 60,000 tonnes, Inland fish production 1,18,419 tonnes (199798) and marine fish production 1,60,627 tonnes (1997-98). Some of the Jilla Panchayats have taken up Inland Fisheries seriously as in Bangalore Rural district.
Out of 8,000 ha of brackish water sources, about 4,200 ha are identified as suitable for prawn farming, about 2,500 ha of khar land and 1,000 ha of salt pans can be utilised for raising prawns. Brackish water Fish Farmer's Development Agency with Central Government assistance has been established at Karwar during 1987 for the up gradation of technology for prawn and fish farming. Eighteen fish farms, which were transferred to Karnataka Inland Fisheries Development Corporation to manage the seed farms on commercial lines and increase production, have been taken over by the department due to the closure of Corporation during 1990-91.
Since 1982, and Integrated Fisheries Development project is in operation at Tadri, Uttara Kannada district, in collaboration with DANIDA. Among infrastructure development programmes, there are four fishing harbours viz., Karwar, Honavar, Tadri and Malpe and the Mangalore harbour is under construction. There are 24 fish landing centres in the State. The NCDC supported Reservoir Fisheries Development Project has been taken up for implementation in Mysore district, through the newly established Karnataka Inland Fisheries Federation.
The Centrally-sponsored Fish Farmers Development Agencies are functioning in eight districts. The Department of Fisheries is implementing beneficiary oriented programmes like the National Seed Production Programme, Fisherman Welfare Scheme, Group Insurance Scheme, Tribal sub-plan, Special Component Plan, Distress Relief Fund etc, The Department is imparting training to rural youths in fishery activities at Krishnarajasagar and Bethamangala training centres.
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