The annual fish production from lakes and ponds across the State will be raised to two lakh metric tonnes in the next three years, Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma has said.He was speaking after inaugurating an artificial reef installation project launched by the Department of Fisheries at the Vizhinjam Harbour in the district on Tuesday."Through fisheries clubs in the 700 grama panchayats adjoining coastal areas, we propose to raise the annual inland production," he said. The triangular artificial reef is expected to enhance the quantity of fish by creating a favourable environment, similar to that of a natural reef, for the marine species to breed.Artificial reefs made of mild steel and numbering around 360 will be deployed at five coastal panchayats including Anchuthengu, Kadinamkulam, Karimkulam, Poovar and Kulathoor in the inaugural phase.Based on its effectiveness the reefs, weighing 160 kg, will be deployed in other coastal areas.According to Xavier David, mission coordinator of Agency for Development of Aquaculture Kerala (ADAK), which is implementing the project, enrichment materials such as palm leaves and tyres will be added to the reefs at a later stage to attract fish.Since the reefs will be placed permanently under seawater at a depth of around 30 ft, there is no danger of corrosion. George Mercier, MLA, who presided over the function, said that efforts should be made to bring people working in the fishing industry in the insurance net.The function was attended by P.A. Shaikh Pareed, Director, Fisheries, and Pulluvila Stanley, Chairman, Kerala Fishworkers Welfare Board.
The Hindu, 19th November 2008
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