Regional Station Minicoy of ICAR-CIARI Port Blair conducted an “awareness on Livelihood Augmentation through sustainable fisheries for Tribal Fishers and input distribution and demonstration of cast net fishing under Schedule Tribe Component (STC)” for the welfare of tribal fishermen of Minicoy on 24th August 2023.
Speaking on the inaugural occasion, the Guest Shri. Mansoor Ali, the Fisheries Inspector, Minicoy expressed his happiness on the technological intervention in tuna fishing, sustainable fisheries, small scale fisheries and new incentives taken by the central government for upscaling fishermen livelihood. The scientific team comprising of Dr. Gladston Y and Dr. Ajina S. M. interacted with the fishermen and impressed upon the ecofriendly fishing gears, commercial fishery resources of Lakshadweep, artisanal fishing methods, post-harvest management practices and value addition. They also interacted with fishermen and their problems were addressed. There should more focus towards value addition, marketing and fishery biological studies for upscaling fisheries development in these islands. Shri. Shareefuddeen Hassan, Senior Technical Assistant and Shri. Arif M.I., Senior Technician and the Coordinator of the programme informed about the technical know-how and do how to the participants in ‘Mahl’ (the local language). A total of 22 people participated on the occasion.
The fishermen from Bada, Aoumagu, Rammedu, Funhilol, Fallessery and South Bandaram attended the program. Beside a total of 4 artisanal fishermen were selected from Minicoy in collaboration with Fisheries Department and cast nets were distributed to them and hands on demonstration also carried at the end.
Dr. Gladston Y, Convener and Co-Convenors Dr. Ajina S.M., and the Coordinator Shri Shareefuddeen Hassan and Shri Arif M.I., Dr. Zamir Ahmed, Nodal Officer, Lakshadweep coordinated the overall conduct of programme under the Chairmanship of Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.