He was inaugurating a state-level meet of those engaged in inland fisheries, reported The Hindu.
Pointing out that 931 local areas have already entered the thriving sector, Mr Chandy said all the 1,200 local bodies would be covered by the project in the next three years.
“At least one model fish farm would be started in every district of the State. Each local body would have one model fish farm in the next three years,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the anxieties of the Forest and Electricity departments over the permission given for inland fish farming in dams would be alleviated with the help of experts.
Forests would not be disturbed by the inland fisheries, he said.
“As many as 7,000 farmers have already been roped into the inland fresh water fisheries sector. A total area of 12,319 hectares has been utilised for the purpose. The annual production of fish is 1,02,683.21 tonne,” said Mr Chandy.
He distributed awards to the best fish farmers in the aquaculture, prawns, mussels and fresh water fisheries sectors.
Minister K Babu presided. According to Mr Babu, the thriving inland fisheries sector can compensate for the depletion now happening in the traditional sea fisheries sector.
