KVK Jammu celebrates World Fisheries Day

STATE TIMES NEWS

R S PURA: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Jammu, under administrative control of SKUAST-Jammu working under the leadership of Prof J P Sharma Vice Chancellor and overall supervision of Dr S K Gupta Director Extension, on Saturday celebrated World Fisheries Day under the theme “Social Responsibility in the fisheries value chain” at the Demonstration fish pond at village Gurha Manasa, Paragwal, Jammu along with 15 fish pond owners to create awareness about sustainable fishing/aquaculture among the fish farmers.
At this occasion Dr Prem Kumar, Scientist (Fisheries), KVK Jammu informed that World Fisheries Day is celebrated every year on November 21st to highlight the importance of healthy oceans ecosystem and to ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world. He detailed the aqua farmers regarding the importance of Fisheries and its nutrition. India is currently world 2nd largest producer of fish. Indian fisheries and aquaculture is an important sector of food production providing nutritional security and gainful employment to more than 14 million people. Fish is one of the healthy foods with good amount of nutrients like Proteins, Vitamin D, minerals and rich in omega 3 fatty acids. The total fish production of India was 137.58 lakh metric tons in 2018-19, increasing at an average annual growth rate of about 9%. Fisheries contributes to 1.07% of the Total GDP of India and the Fisheries Industry generates an export earnings of Rs 334.41 billion.
Apart from crucial source of food and livelihood to lakh of fisherfolks, fish diversity determines the health of the water body also including lakes, ponds and rivers. However, overfishing, mechanization, destruction of habitat, pollution, eutrophication due to agricultural/industrial runoff; alteration of water quality, contamination, global warming etc. has led to depletion of fish stocks in ocean, rivers, lakes and other waterbodies.
Poonam Abrol, Program Assistant KVK Jammu concluded the programme with formal vote of thanks.