The fishing harbour at Paradip port is likely to get the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) status from the Union commerce ministry, according to a report. Though the fishing harbour is considered among the largest in the country, it is yet to get the coveted EIA status. In the absence of this, the harbour has failed to obtain Euro Standard certification which is required to boost the fish export in the state, it was learnt. On the other hand, the Dhamra fishing harbour in Bhadrak has been accorded with status though it was set up in recent times. Realising the discrepancies, assistant director Kabita Mishra of EIA under the Union commerce ministry Thursday visited the fishing harbour here to review the existing facilities. She had a look at the harbour, the auction hall, cleanliness on the premises and drainage system. Later, she had a meeting with members of the managing committee of the harbour and Orissa Marine fish Producers’ Association (OMFA). The assistant director asked the committee to apply to the ministry for EIA status. The harbour would be awarded the status after careful observation of the application, Mishra said. Among others, district fishery officer and secretary of the committee Gyanaranjan Samal, marine fishery officer Madhumani Samal and OMFA president Srikant Parida were present at the review meeting. According to reports, the fishing harbour produces about 30,000 tonne of fish annually and a major share of the production is exported. Though the condition of the harbour has improved slightly during the last four years, it is still plagued by a host of problems. While it lacks dirt free water to clean fish in the auction hall and cold storage facility, fishermen face lots of problems in the absence of drainage system and toilets. Besides, fish consignments are being stored in bamboo ware in trawlers and boats while fishermen use old ropes and bamboo to unload the consignment. They still separate out the fish in their uncovered hands. These old practices have been making the harbour ineligible for the Euro Standard certification. However, the renovation work is still on since the state government took charge of the harbour in 2011, it was learnt. With EIA status almost certain, there would be a boom in the fishing industry, expected OMFA president Parida.
2015. Orissapost