DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES

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I. SUPPLY OF MECHANISED BOATS  ON SUBSIDY UNDER HIGHER PURCHASE SYSTEM

             The planned and  Scientific development in the fisheries sector was started in Lakshadweep from 1959 onwards when the department of fisheries was established. Since then the department has been formulating and implementing various developmental programmes. The major and important programme was the Mechanisation of fishing by introducing Mechanised boats.  Tuna is the only abundant resource of the sea around Lakshadweep on which now the fisheries development is established.  Specially designed Mechanised boats have been introduced for catching tuna using the typical method of "Pole and Line Live bait fishing". Under this programme, such types of mechanised fishing boats have been constructed / procured and supplied to the fishermen on subsidy under Higher Purchase system. The present pattern of subsidy allowed is 20% on the cost hull and 25% on the cost of engine.  So far 503 mechanised boats of 25 feet, 30 feet and 34 feet  such type of boats and 7nos. of 38feet boats  have been supplied to the fishermen.  Besides these, boat building materials required for the repair and maintenance of the fishing boats  are also supplied to the fishermen. The details of supply of mechanised boats under the programme is given in the table below.

ISLAND WISE AVAILABILITY OF FISHING BOATS

II. SUPPLY OF IN BOARD ENGINES, OUTBOARD MOTORS, AND NAVIGATION EQUIPMENTS UNDER HIGHER PURCHASE SYSTEM

        This is yet another developmental programme implemented in support of the Ist programme. Under this programme Marine Engines and Outboard Motors are supplied at full cost under Higher Purchase System to fishermen by the department.  The inboard   engines are supplied for the replacement of old and irreparable engines of fishing boats acquired by the fishermen earlier, the engine of which became irreparable in the long run and for installation in the new mechanised boats constructed by the fishermen themselves.  Outboard motors are also supplied at full cost under Higher Purchase system to the traditional fishermen for the motorisation to the country crafts used for fishing.  Besides these, navigational equipments like Global Positioning System ( GPS) and Very High Frequency (VHF) communication sets are also supplied at full cost under Higher Purchase System as Navigational aids. The table below gives the details on supply of inboard engines and outboard motors.

DETAILS ON SUPPLY OF ENGINES

          The implementation of the above programmes had great impact in the production of fish catch though the development achieved in the sector is on  small scale basis.  The fish catch during 1960's when the planned developmental programmes started was hardly 500 tones caught by primitive methods of fishing. Now,  on an average basis the fish catch has been increased to about 12000 tones / annum.  The fish landing in Lakshadweep from 1997 to 2002 is given in the table below.

FISH LANDING IN '000' TONES

III.  DEVELOPMENT OF DEEP SEA FISHING

              The fishing in Lakshadweep  is developed only on small scale basis.   The vast deep sea varieties of fishes available in the sea around Lakshadweep  is still unexploited.  In order to diversify the fishing  to exploit the deep sea varieties of fishes like Yellowfine tuna, Big eye tuna, Blue fine tuna, Sharks etc.  bigger fishing vessels and diversified method are to be diploid.  Hence the department has introduced 38feet and 55feet medium size fishing vessels for the operation of deep sea gillnet and Long Lines.  One of the 38footer and the 55 feet vessel are presently operated by the Lakshadweep Development Corporation on experimental basis.  Introduction of more such vessels will be considered on the basis of the result.   Besides,  the  materials required for the fabrication of fishing gears and other fishing implements and HSD Oil, Lube Oil etc. are also supplied to the fishermen by the department.

IV.  REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF FISHING  BOATS 

           The department has supplied   510 mechanised fishing boats to the fishermen of Lakshadweep. Almost all the boats  are operated  for different types of fishing.  But for the incidental and annual repair and maintenance   of these boats there is no private workshops available in Lakshadweep. Therefore the department has established one each marine workshops with all machineries and equipments  in all the ten inhabited  islands and the 11th one in the uninhabited island Suheli which is a good fishing centre.  The  incidental and annual repair and maintenance of  private fishing boats are carried out in these workshops collecting a nominal repair charges.   These workshops are  undertaking the repair and maintenance of departmental boats also.  Besides these all the spare parts of various types of marine engines, outboard motors, materials required for the maintenance of boats are also supplied to fishermen by the department. 

V.  DEVELOPMENT OF SHORE BASED INFRA STRUCTURAL FACILITIES

            In the sea around Lakshadweep the only abundant resource is skipjack tuna which is caught in Pole and line fishing using mechanised boats.   About 75 - 80 % of the total tuna landed is converted in to a traditional product called "Masmin" which is very similar to that of Japanese product called "Katsuobushi".   But there is no other modern methods are used for the processing and preservation of fish in Lakshadweep so far.  As it is very essential to have such facilities for processing the fish using modern methods in order to fetch better prices, the department has established one number of 5 tone capacity shell ice making unit at Agatti, one each 5tone capacity cold storages at Agatti, Kavaratti and Androth, one number of one tone capacity tunnel freezer and two numbers of 5 tone each capacity cold storages at Chethlath. Beside, machineries and equipment have already been procured to establish on each 10 tone capacity Sea Water Block Ice Plant at Kavaratti and Andrott. Action has also been initiated to established 2 more such plants on at Bitra and another at Kadmath.  Now the fishermen of Lakshadweep are free to utilise  these facilities for preservation of their catch to produce quality products.  Besides these one tuna canning factory established and operated by the department successfully is handed over   and presently run by the LDCL in Minicoy island.

VI.  HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FOR FISHERIES

              Under this programme the department has established one Fishermen Training Centre presently functioned in Amini Island.  In this center one batch of 20 candidates are admitted and one year training is given.  The candidates are trained in the operation of mechanised fishing boats, repair and maintenance of engines of fishing boats, fabrication and maintenance of fishing gears, navigation and seamanship,  fish processing etc..  This is a practical oriented course in which main thrust is given in imparting training in different types of fishing methods suitable to Lakshadweep waters.  Besides these short term training programmes are also arranged for the locals in diversified fishing methods.  Opportunities are also provided to eligible persons to work as  paid apprentice in the marine workshops of the departments in in the repair and maintenance of engines of fishing boats to acquire more knowledge.

• Construction and supply of  mechanised fishing boats on subsidy under higher purchase system.
• Supply of inboard engines at full cost under higher purchase system
• Supply of VHF and GPS at full cost under higher purchase system

• Strengthening of shore based infrastructural facilities by providing sea water ice plants, tunnel freezers, cold storages etc..

• Strengthening of database of fishermen and fish landing

• Assessment of potential fisheries resources of Lakshadweep waters.

• Development of deep sea fishing by introducing long line and gill nets.

• Introduction of Satellite assisted Vessel monitoring system

• Effective implementation of Lakshadweep marine fishing regulation and stopping of poaching by outsiders.

• Providing mid sea bunkering facilities.

• Supply of insulated fish boxes for keeping fish on board fishing vessels in fresh condition.

• Marketing facilities for fisheries product from Lakshadweep.

• Introduction of collector vessel / mother vessel for enhancement of fish production.

• Improve the quality of "Masmin " to bring it at par with "Katsuobushi " a similar product of Japan.