Bhubaneswar: Worldwide economic slowdown, Climate Change and frequent Natural Disasters have affected severely to the most marginalized communities and Marine Fishermen are among the worst victims, said Minister, Food, Civil Supplies and Cooperation department of Government of Odisha Ranendra Pratap Swain.
Swain further added that keeping an eye of 14 lakh large Fishermen Community both inland and marine, Odisha Government has taken some concrete steps to safeguard their livelihoods sources and promoting ‘Mo Pokhari’ by providing fifty percent subsides on farm ponds for fishing.
We will shortly call a high level meeting to explore possibilities of what could be done through cooperation department to extend support to marine fishing community and promoting dry fish in Odisha, which has immense potentiality.
He extorted fishing Community to keep a balance on deep sea fishing to ensure conservation of marine resources in time of Climate Change.
Swain was speaking after inaugurating ‘World Fisheries Day” celebration held today at Red cross Bhavan in Bhubaneswar being organized by Odisha Traditional Fish Workers Union (OTFWU).
“We need to take a concrete step to save their life and livelihoods, because both because of the periodic fishing ban and Disaster effects, they have been reduced to wage labourers”, said Convenor of Coast Council Sudarshan Chhotoray,who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
While presenting the demand charter of the community, General Secretary of OTFWU, K. Aleya highlighted the plight of community by saying more than 6,55,000 people, spread over 185 village in 6 coastal districts are living with uncertainty due to fishing bans during peak sessions.
Apart from these Union Government has brought National Marine Regulation Act, 2017,National Marine and Managing Bill 2019 and fresh Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019 which will spell doom for them.
The meeting was chaired by OTFWU President Prassan Behera and among others CMFRI Scientist Dr Subal Kumar Roul, Former PCCF Pandab Behera, Kaibarta Sabha Leader Manoj Behera, Head of Natural Resources Hub, Action Aid Bratindi Jena spoke.
More than 150 Fishermen from six coastal districts took part in the meeting.
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