Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 October 2024
Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, met with the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, during his visit to New Delhi.
In the meeting, the Lt. Governor highlighted the strategic advantages of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, noting that the region encompasses one-third of India’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in Andaman waters. He underscored the significant untapped potential in the fisheries and marine product sectors, which could greatly contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Admiral Joshi also briefed the Minister on the recent initiatives taken by the A & N Administration to strengthen the region’s fisheries infrastructure, including the efforts for establishment of offices of the Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) in Sri Vijaya Puram.
During the discussion, the Lt. Governor requested the Minister’s support in organising a large-scale Fisheries Conclave. The proposed event aims to attract global investors and bring together key stakeholders to explore and showcase the vast opportunities available in the fisheries and marine industries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of promoting seaweed cultivation as a means to address challenges faced by local farmers, offering it as a potential avenue for improving their livelihoods.