Port Blair, Feb 08:  Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands has raised the issue in the Parliament under Rule 377 on 05/02/2021 regarding development of fishery potential in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to generate employment and boost the economy of the Islands.  He informed the House that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have vast potential for fisheries development in view of its coastal length of about 1.962 kms and continental shelf area of 35,000 sq. kms.

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around these Islands is about 6,00,000 sq.km with an estimated fisheries potential of 1.48 lakh MT which is 3.8 per cent of our country’s total fishery potential.  Keeping in view of the huge potential in fishery, the Member of Parliament urged the Government to provide incentives and investment for developing processing fisheries infrastructure in A&N Islands.

He also stated that Cold chain system complying with international standards and deep sea fishing vessels for exploitation of tuna and high value fishes in A&N Islands will generate employment and boost the economy of the Islands.  He also urged the government that the department of fisheries should establish a dedicated research institute for fisheries in A&N Islands for further research and capacity augmentation in the area of fisheries which would aid development of the Islands and realize its potential.