State aims to improve quality of fish produce in Amaravati

Amaravati: The state government is contemplating to establish highly advanced technology in Blue Economy, with an aim to increase the exports of fisheries by improving the quality of produce.

As part of it, the government decided to bring a new legislation, establish 36 high technological labs in the first phase, 7 fish landing centres, 4 fish harbours, and one central institute for registrations and many other initiatives will be taken.

Presently, the state is number one in terms of exports of fish produce from the country. Out of the total exports from the country, AP's share is 47 percent. Now the YSRCP government aimed to increase the share of exports to 70 percent. To achieve this goal, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy sought external support in the recently concluded Diplomatic Outreach programme, organised at Vijayawada.

Speaking with this correspondent in an interview, Poonam Malakondaiah, Special Chief Secretary, Fisheries Department, informed that first they focused on improvement of quality and quantity of fisheries produce by strengthening the ecosystem.

She said that the government will bring new legislation to regulate the production of the fish seed. Since there is no law to control the production of seed, the spurious seed has been hampering the entire production chain.

Special Chief Secretary further said that the government will establish Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) labs in the state. The PCR is a technique that is used to amplify trace amounts of DNA. Each lab will cost at least Rs 12 crore, as per the primary estimates.

The government has been working on technology transfer to the farmers so as to improve the quality of the fish products in the state, she informed. Even Chief Minister also said that the farmers are facing problems in maintaining the global standards and hence could not compete in the international market. If the government could address this problem, then the farmers will get more benefits and the state also will achieve its target in promoting the fish products in international market.

AP is blessed with potential and diversified water resources with 974 kms of coastline, 33,227 kms of continental shelf area, 555 marine fishermen villages.