Advisor Khumo presenting Best Fish Farmer Award to a recipient on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, held at Government Fish Farm, Thizama, Kohima on November 20. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, November 20 (MExN): World Fisheries Day 2021 was celebrated at Government Fish Farm, Thizama, Kohima with Advisor, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Economics & Statistics, L Khumo Khiamniungan as the special guest on November 20.
The World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November 21 annually, however as it falls on Sunday this year is, the programme has been proponed a day, stated a DIPR report.
Advisor Khumo stated that fishery provides a very good employment opportunity and a source of income for many families and ‘many people are able to sustain their family because of it.’ He urged the fish farmers to stop depending on the Government for funds to take up various activities. The Advisor urged the people to take up fishery as an occupation as it provides various opportunities.
He called upon the fish farmers to seek technical advice and help from the Department officials for better fish harvest and asked them to work together with various sections of the society.
Only 11½ % of fishery potential utilized in Nagaland
Secretary, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Anoop Khinchi, IAS, who also chaired the programme, in his welcome address stressed on the importance to practice fishery in a sustainable way. He stated that about 2.8 million people in the country are employed in fishery and related activities. Khinchi added that only about 11½ % of fishery potential is being utilized in the State. He also said that fishery activities could be a huge employment generation opportunity for the State. He called upon the fish farmers to form Fish Farmers’ Organisations and also spoke on the importance of paddy cum fish culture and ornamental fishing.
Need for increase in inland fishing
Delivering the keynote address, Director, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Kevisa Kense, IAS stressed on the need for increase in inland fishing as there is scope for it, unlike marine fishing where there is a decline. He stated the Department has provided refrigerated vans for preserving the fishes and transporting it to the market. Kense highlighted on the need for the fishes to reach the market as there are many fisheries in the State. He stated that fish is one of the most nutritious food and the sector is one of the most profitable among all agri. and allied departments. The Director urged the public to stop depending fully on the Government for funds for various projects. He also urged the fish farmers to maintain and keep the water bodies clean.
Best Fish Farmer Award from all the districts of the State was presented to a fish farmer every district. Pangjunglemba, a fish farmer from Mokokchung, shared his success story on how he is able to make a living and sustain his family through fishery.
Training on need based fish farming practices was also conducted during the event. SDFO, Rulanthung Ezung presented on Fish Farm Management Practices while FI, Tsutsamo Ezung presented on Composite Fish Culture. Training on paddy cum fish culture and common crap breeding was presented by SDFO, Khriezhato Nakhro. It was followed by an interaction with the fish farmers.
