Rs 1,500 crore package for Tamil Nadu fishermen

 

Deep-sea fishing in international waters, processing of marine products in the mid sea and growing local species through sea ranching are some of other ideas under the project, said a highly placed government official.

 

In the last four years, there had been 105 incidents of apprehension and 79 incidents of attacks on TN fishermen by the Lankan Navy. And as on date there are 31 fishermen languishing in Lankan jails and there is a need for alternate fish catch arrangements. To start with, the state had already initiated a project under the scheme by launching tuna long-liner fishing practice at a cost of Rs 51.3 crore and the construction of 171 Tuna longliners had commenced and is awaiting funds from union ministry.

 

This project would also reduce the pressure of bottom-trawling boats in the Palk Bay and for this purpose a blue print is ready at a cost of Rs 975 crore to be implemented over the next three years. Under the project, a mother vessel will be stationed in mid-sea to support and supply small fish catch vessels.  The mother vessel would alone cost Rs 80 crore and to boost the infrastructure at fishing ports, Rs 400 crore is required. These infra projects will come up at fishing harbours in Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram, Kasimedu in Chennai and at Ennore fishing harbour.