Port Blair, May 9: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh inaugurated two new fish landing centres at Rangat and Mayabunder today. The fish landing centres at Pokkaderra (Mayabunder) and Rangat Bay (Rangat) have facilities for landing/berthing of small traditional motorized and non-motorized fishing crafts, net mending shed, gear repair shed, fish drying platform and other allied facilities for the benefit of the fishing community.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor stated that these fish landing centres have been developed to provide facilities for hygienic landing of fish, safe berthing of fishing crafts and facilities for upkeep and maintenance of fishing gears. He further stated fishery is one of the sectors with huge growth potential as there are huge fishery resources available in the A&N Islands waters, particularly tuna and tuna like fish. With the creation of fisheries infrastructure, these marine wealth can be tapped to its full potential, which can contribute significantly to the overall socio-economic development of the Islands.

Referring to the various undergoing fishery projects, he stated that construction of two more fish landing centres one each at Durgapur (Diglipur) and Yeratta are also in the advanced stages of completion and expected to be operational shortly. Altogether 19 sites have been identified for construction of fish landing centres in the Islands. One fish landing centre is already established at Junglighat which will be extended to set up chilled tuna packing facilities for accommodating more number of mechanized and deep sea fishing vessels and export of tuna from the Islands. The remaining fish landing centres will also be completed in a phased manner.

The Lt Governor further stated that new Ice Plants and Cold Storage are also being established at Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Campbell Bay, Mayabunder and Port Blair. Ten Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) have already been established, subsidy assistance is being extended to the fishermen and other beneficiaries for purchase of fishing material, engines, deep freezers, insulated ice boxes, and mechanized fishing boats under various schemes. Further considering the poor financial status of the fishermen, suitable site has been allotted at Rangat and Diglipur for Development of Model Fishermen Village. The Department has also completed the process of uniform online registration of fishing vessels and issuance of fishing licenses. 

He further stated that to enhance the fishing capacity in the Islands, 200 mechanized fishing crafts are proposed to be introduced through subsidy over a period of next five years. Schemes are also available for purchase of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels and establishment of Ice Plants and Cold Storages on subsidy under RKVY.

Later, the Lt Governor held a meeting with the PRI members and local head of different departments and directed them to attend to the problems and grievances of the people on priority.