Advisor A Pangjung Jamir along with the members of Angling Association of Nagaland and the winners of the 6th Nagaland State Angling competition held in Noune resort, Chümoukedima July 29. (Morung Photo)
6th Nagaland State Angling competition held in Noune resort
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | July 29
Considering the love for fishing among the Naga community and the gradual popularity of angling in particular, A Pangjung Jamir, Advisor for Fisheries & Aquatic Resources viewed that it has the potential to turn into a professional sport along with providing entertainment, boosting the tourism sector and generating employment for the benefit of Nagaland.
The Advisor mentioned this during the closing event of the 6th Nagaland State Angling Competition 2023, organised by the Anglers Association Nagaland (AAN) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources at Noune Resort, Chümoukedima on July 29.
In light of this event, he noted that the state has come a long way in connecting with the rest of the world and with the fishing community. “Whether you see it as a sport, profession or hobby, fishing will continue to be around for centuries to come,” he said.
He also regarded that Nagaland has been endowed with rich and unique natural resources, which provides immense potential for aquatic development. The state has nine major and one minor rivers spread across its districts with vast potentials of promoting ecotourism through angling.
“The far sightedness of Anglers Association formed by few like-minded anglers needs to be applauded and organizing such events will educate the people about the importance to conserve aquatic biodiversity,” he said.
In addition, he highlighted the benefits of taking part in angling which includes being part of a community with like-minded people. “From fishing day trips to big fishing weekends, this enriching sport has the power to bring people together to have fun, bond and learn,” he noted. Moreover, it can help boost an individual’s physical fitness as it typically involves a combination of walking to find the best location, lifting and carrying gear, plus the action of casting and retrieving fishes.
At the same time however, pollution from fishing were among the largest contributors to the decline in water quality and greatly interrupts the ecosystem, the Advisor reminded the people. Specifically the practices of blast/dynamite fishing and cyanide fishing have a negative impact on the environment. “We should discourage the public from using poison, dynamite (explosives) and electrofishing,” he said.
Overfishing, pollution and other environmental factors has been attributed as the main factors for reducing the population of aquatic life at the same time as their ecosystems were being annihilated, the Advisor stated.
As such, it was crucial that stakeholders such as the angling association and the government need to oppose and protect the river systems in Nagaland from any form of pollution that damages the aquatic life and indigenous wild fish population. The people also has to be educated along with promoting the sport of angling as a recreational and ethical form of fishing, the Advisor asserted.
In conclusion, he expressed gratitude to the association for organising such events as it will educate the people about the importance of conservation of aquatic life and its resources.
Winners of 6th Nagaland State Angling Competition
A total of 389 participants took part in the competition. There were 15 top individual winners who caught the largest fishes ranging from 0.38 KG to 6.31 KG. During the prize distribution ceremony, Vihuka with the largest catch of 6.31 KG (big head) bagged the first prize and received a cash prize of Rs 1,20,000. In second position came Jekiye Shohe with a catch of 5.38 KG and in third was Tia Meren with 3.62 KG (chital) respectively.
Watinuksang President of AAN, noted that the association has been growing significantly since the last 9 years of its existenceand they have an aim to promote it as a tourism aspect of the state. He also noted that AAN has a pledge to protect and conserve the environment by fishing in an ethical manner. With Nagaland having about 80 ornamental fishes which were highly regarded and valued in the market, he stated that protecting these indigenous fishes were of the utmost priority.
