Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 13 November 2024
In a significant push to boost the fisheries and aquaculture industry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, and the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, is organizing an ‘Investors’ Meet’ on November 14, 2024, at Taj Exotica in Swaraj Dweep.
This Investors’ Meet will focus on developing a comprehensive roadmap to harness the vast fisheries and aquaculture potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The discussions will cover key areas, including the utilization of the 65,400 MT tuna resource, plans for launching commercial seaweed farming and cage culture, and the optimal use of identified brackish water areas for shrimp farming and crab fattening.
The A&N Administration will deliver a lead presentation on the current state of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the islands, highlighting recent achievements, future goals, and the support mechanisms available for investors interested in establishing fisheries-related businesses in the region.
Several key organisations will also contribute insights during the event. The Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Cochin, will lead a session on export promotion opportunities, while the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will outline a roadmap for advancing mariculture in the islands. Additionally, the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BoBP-IGO), Chennai, will discuss the development of tuna fisheries and related value chains within the islands.
Interactive sessions are also planned with representatives from industry groups such as FICCI, ASSOCHAM, Confederation of Indian Industry, Seafood Exporters Association of India, Seaweed Association of India, and the Andaman and Nicobar fisheries industry.
This event aims to bring together investors, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore the untapped opportunities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ fisheries and aquaculture sector and establish a robust framework for sustainable development in the region.