Minister Pramodh Madhwaraj Inaugurates 4th Edition of Aqua Aquaria lndia 2017
Mangaluru: The fourth edition of the Aqua Aquaria India 2017 (AAI), one of the largest expositions of its kind in Asia, was inaugurated at the Nehru Maidan here on May 14.
The programme began with an invocation. The chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Jayathilak welcomed the gathering and delivered the keynote address. The programme was inaugurated by the Minister for Youth Services Department and Fisheries Pramod Madhwaraj by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering Pramod Madhwaraj said, “I have great pride and pleasure to be a part of this magnificent event, Aqua Aquaria India 2017, which is being organized by the Marine Products Export Development Authority, functioning under the Commerce and Industry Ministry of the Govt. of India. During this occasion, at the outset, I thank the organizers for selecting Mangaluru as the venue for this event, since it is being organized for the first time on the west coast. The previous three editions of this event were organized in the east coast, where coastal aquaculture has made a major landmark progress on the socio-economic front, of the coastal population. The infrastructure developments that come along with the coastal aquaculture developments have improved the rural villages to a great extent. However, as compared to the east coast, the developments in our coast have been rather slow, although the progress so far has been sustainable. It is with this experience in the east coast, the MPEDA has now focused their attention on the resources available on the west coast for potential aquaculture developments. I am very glad to inform that the State Government will extend all necessary cooperation to ensure that sustainable progress is made towards the development of coastal shrimp farming in Karnataka, under rapid action plan. I understand that there is tremendous potential for diversification of aquaculture efforts into other commercially important species, for which the national institutions like the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture, ie, RGCA are working towards technology standardisation under the commercial mode of operation”.
Pramodh further said, “The State of Karnataka has ample potential for aquaculture, ornamental fish culture, and overall fisheries development. The resources of the State include the 27000 Sq. km continental shelf area along the 320 Km long coastline apart from 5.65 lakh hectares of various inland water resources. The available brackish water area of 8000 hectares provides good scope for shrimp/fish culture. I understand that apart from Karnataka, the other west coast States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa offer excellent scope for development of coastal aquaculture activities. I appeal that while formulating the master plan for development on the west coast; the authorities should take into consideration the ecological sustenance, and plan for rational exploitation of our natural resources. It is a rare opportunity aqua Aquaria India offers for the farming community to share their concerns and views with the technocrats and policy makers. AAI offers an ideal platform for stakeholders of aquaculture and ornamental fisheries to meet, discuss and update on various technological advancements in these sectors. Therefore, I take this opportunity to wish the participants of this Show to make the best use of their participation, to make a bright future for aquaculture and ornamental fish culture in India”.
He also said, “The export-oriented aquaculture in India has been synonymous with shrimp aquaculture. Commercial shrimp aquaculture began its growth in the early nineties and peaked during 2005-06 with a production of 1,85,990 MT. However, there was subsequent decline due to various reasons such as low market prices due to the global recession, anti-dumping duties imposed by US, increasing cost of production etc., and reached low ebb of 88700 MT during the year 2008-09. With the regulated introduction of the culture of exotic species SPF Litopenaeus vannamei in the country during the year 2009-10 the trend reversed for the better side. Since the year 2009-10 till the current year, vannamei production has shown a steady increase and reached the present peak of 4,06,000 MT during 2015-16 increasing the overall shrimp production to about 5,00,000 MT. During the current year vannamei production is expected to reach a new peak of over 4,50,000 MT. With the increase in aquaculture production of shrimp, the exports have also increased correspondingly. Over the last 7 years ie, from 2009-10 onwards shrimp exports have been reaching new peaks both in terms of quality and value with the exception for the year 2015-16 during there was a reduction in value realisation despite increased volumes of exports. Cultured shrimp today not only contributes over 70% in terms of quantity and about 80% in terms of value of shrimp exports from the country but also contributes about 31 % in terms of volume and over 53% in terms of value of seafood exports from the country, which is a significant achievement for Aquaculture sector”.
“I am given to understand that the developments in export-oriented shrimp farming have been ably supported by MPEDA in the past. The first commercial shrimp hatcheries established by MPEDA during 1987, instigated the coastal aquaculture explosion in the country. The MPEDA also set up the first semi-intensive farm in the country during the early nineties, which created revolutions in the commercial shrimp farming sector in the country. Subsequently, the Aquatic Quarantine Facility (AQF) set up and being operated by MPEDA has ensured a rather disease free farming experience for the aqua farmers. The Government has also taken several steps to ensure that the vannamei culture takes place in a sustainable manner. Selection of overseas suppliers of SPF vannamei brood stock according to a strict selection procedure, permitting imports of brood stocks to only approved hatcheries with required infrastructure and technical capabilities, mandatory quarantining of all imported broodstock in a single, state of the Art, Aquatic Quarantine Facility at Neelankarai, Chennai, having in place a national disease surveillance program, periodic inspection of hatcheries and farms, action against violating hatcheries and farms etc. are part of the comprehensive action plan for ensuring sustainable vannamei culture development. The exotic vannamei shrimp boom has taken the shrimp farming sector to greater heights, and we hope to start this as a platform for further boosting marine products export. The Indigenous varieties such as Tiger Shrimp, White Shrimp, Scampi etc have also great scope for development, especially in the traditional and extensive farms of the country. Modern concepts are also being merged with aquaculture. The non-conventional energy sources such as solar and wind have potential applications in this sector. The satellite imaging technology using GIS applications, mobile apps for real-time monitoring etc have been introduced into aquaculture sector for better performance. The Aqua Aquaria India 2017 will help the farming community to identify such priority areas and work towards future developments for the hi-tech farming experience”, Pramodh said.
“Similarly, the technology for ornamental fish farming is well standardised for the domestic market. The need of the hour is to develop our export market for the aquarium fishes. The growing interest in aquarium fishes has resulted in a steady increase in aquarium fish trade globally. The entire global ornamental fish industry, including accessories and fish feed, is estimated to be worth around US $18-20 billion. Hence, I appeal to my friends in the aquarium business to make use of the opportunity, and avail the support available from the Government, and make your business plans for successful cover stories”, Pramodh urged.
While concluding Pramodh said, “With these few words, I am wishing that all participants here to make use of your presence here for learning something new and to implement this experience in your farming efforts, so that the aqua culture production will scale ahead in a steady manner, for augmenting the country’s marine products exports. The valuable foreign exchange earnings of over 5 billion US dollars per annum can ambitiously target for the 10 billion US dollar mark by 2020. I appeal to all of you to work towards this goal, in a united manner.”
MP Nalin Kumar speaking on the occasion said, “This is the first time in the state we are organising Aqua Aquaria India 2017 in Mangaluru. I thank minister Nirmala Seetharaman and MP of Andhra Pradesh K Haribabu for giving the opportunity to organise AAI in our city. Mangaluru is the capital of Karnataka in fisheries. Mangaluru has its own identity. In India, Mangaluru is called as an education hub, Banking sector, and fisheries. And today we have inaugurated the AAI in Mangaluru. In the coming days in Dakshina Kannada district, Medical and agricultural tourism will develop. Fish is a nutritious food and there is a global demand for it. We need to give priority to fisheries and also need to research in fisheries.”
MLA J R Lobo speaking on the occasion said, “I would like to thank the MPEDA for organising AAI in Mangaluru. For the first time, Mangaluru has got an opportunity to organise the programme. The main aim is to promote Mangaluru which has a long tradition of fishing and has the largest west coast in Karnataka. A large part of the fishing is being exported but for various reasons, the fisheries industry has suffered. Fishing boats have increased and people are not trained to go for deep sea fishing. We should promote fishermen to go for deep sea fishing. We may even have to strictly ban fishing during the breeding season so that the breeding spots are protected. We need to think deeply to develop the industry.”
Lobo further said, “Last year our Mangaluru city was included to the list of smart cities and fisheries has played a vital role in this. While organising such a programme, the organisers should involve the local representatives and the administration for collective effort and positive results. The district minister, Deputy commissioner local representatives etc should be invited for the programme. Without their participation, no scheme of the government will be successful. I am not here to criticise but suggest to the organisers to include the local representatives to such National-level programmes wherever it is being held.”
Assistant Professor of Fisheries College Dr Supreetha P U Compered the programme. MPEDA members Seetha Kumar, P V Hari Krishna and others were also present.