OREANDA-NEWS. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is one of the constituent Departments in the Sub Group constituted for identifying possible commercial and developmental activities including fisheries in the Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Group of Islands. Various meetings at the level of Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) and Committee of Secretaries (CoS) were held. After initial deliberations some, fourteen Islands were identified for fisheries development activities earlier. The main activities identified under fisheries sector are (i) deep sea fishing, (ii) sea weed farming, (iii) ornamental fisheries and (iv) shore based infrastructure for fishing activities like Fishing Harbours, Fish Landing Centres and cold storages. The DADF will provide financial support for the fisheries related activities in those Islands in accordance with the relevant schemes / guidelines of Blue Revolution and the Department of Fisheries and Island Administration of the respective Group of Islands will also be kept onboard for successful implementation, considering the environmental aspects.

As per Integrated National Fisheries Action Plan and further discussion had with the States /UTs, tentative fund allocation was also made to the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Group of Islands and the UTs may earmark the funds as per fisheries activities to be taken up considering the regional requirement. In this regard, a meeting on matters related to Island Development was held today i.e 11 August, 2016 which was attended by the Secretary (ADF).