50 lakh of advance fish fingerlings (7-12 cm) of different species such as Rohu, Catla, Mrigal and Common Carp were liberated at different points in the periphery of Loktak Lake at Sendra, Ithing, Ningthoukhong, Thanga Chingthak, Komlakhong and Thanga Haoreng Chingyang. The fingerlings were released in the presence of local leaders, representatives of NGOs and officials of the Fishery Department, Manipur. Under the financial assistance of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, Fisheries Department has organised fish seed liberation programme for augmentation of the fish production in the State. During 2015-16, NFDB, Hyderabad has sanctioned for development of Paddy-cum- Pisciculture Scheme in Ukhrul district, for 744 beneficiaries. Under the assistance of NFDB, Hyderabad, training programmes were organized on aquaculture (scientific fish culture, fish breeding, transportation & marketing, control of diseases) for 500 fish farmers of all districts of Manipur. 60 fish farmers from Manipur were taken to Nellore, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal to observe modern techniques of fish culture taken up by the farmers of the respective State so as to enable them to take up high-tech fish culture system for enhancing the fish production of the State. The NFDB, Hyderabad has sanctioned 40 tricycles with insulated fish box and ancillary support items for mobile fish vendors of Manipur. On the other hand, the NEC has sanctioned projects for development of Paddy-cum- Pisciculture Scheme in 5 hill districts of Manipur. The Ministry of DoNER has sanctioned 90 per cent of NEC share and 10 per cent of State Government share to establish Regional Fisheries Estate at Khullakpat Fishery No 123, Mayang Imphal. The department fabricated two types of fibre reinforced plastic boat as part of the Fishery Extension Programme. The larger boat which is Injing Hee was sold at Rs 33,352 while the smaller one which is Lukai Hee was sold at Rs 29,295 (rate approved by the Government). Since these boats are more handy and comfortable as compared to the traditional wooden boats, they are being preferred by the fish farmers. It is worth to mention that fisheries is considered as sunrise sector in the State. It is also an important allied activity of agriculture sector in India. The vast inland fishery resources offer a vast opportunity to enhance fish production through aquaculture diversification, proper management, species diversification, diversification of aquaculture technologies, introduction of new technologies and adoption of scientific aquaculture practices. In this context, the Department aims to develop fisheries in the State to augment table fish production in order to meet the requirement of the State. The annual requirement of fish for the people of Manipur is around 42,000 MT whereas the present production is around 32,000 MT. The Fishery Department, Manipur is implementing various fishery schemes and extension programmes for the fishermen, fish farmers and general public in order to increase the production.
2016 The Sangai Express