The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) recently organized its 10th Governing Body Meeting at Green Park Hotel, Visakhapatnam under the Chairmanship of Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Mr. Parshottam Rupala.

Chairing the meeting, the Union Minister stressed the importance of fishmeal production similar to shrimp culture, which he said possessed high demand in the export market. 

The minister therefore advocated for policies that need to be framed for exploring the possibility of developing infrastructure for fish meal, deep sea fishing, boats, traditional processing units, seed requirement etc. 

The initial meeting was followed by Secretary (Fy) GoI, Ministry of Fisheries who held a special review with Andhra Pradesh Fisheries implemented under PMMSY both beneficiary and non-beneficiary.

He directed that large infrastructure projects such as brood bank, integrated Aqua Park, harbours and landing centres need to be hastened. 

He also brought up the issue with Bank officials present at the meeting on the procedural delay in sanctioning the loans for FIDF and KCC to fishers and fish farmers.

Later the Union Minister also reviewed the progress at Visakhapatnam Fishing for the project sanctioned under PMMSY.