State achieved major coastal development in past decade: Minister

The State government has been able to implement extensive development activities in the coastal region over the past ten years, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad has said.

Inaugurating a seminar on the fisheries sector organised as part of the State government’s ‘Vision 2031’ initiative in Alappuzha on Friday, Mr. Prasad said that through the scientific implementation of fish farming by the Fisheries department, fish production in the State had increased from 20,000 tonnes in 2016 to 41,000 metric tonnes in 2024.

“This achievement was made possible due to the exemplary intervention of Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian and his department. Kerala has also succeeded in becoming the best marine State in the country,” Mr. Prasad said.

The Alappuzha Marina Project, worth ₹2,057 crore, which was presented at the Kerala – European Union Blue Economy Conclave, will pave the way for the comprehensive development of the district’s coastal areas, including protection of the coastline and promotion of tourism activities. The conservation of marine and inland fisheries resources, including the sea and backwaters, is the collective responsibility of all, the Minister said.

Though climate change poses a major threat to fish sources, the government is undertaking large-scale interventions for their protection, he said. “The Suchitwa Sagaram Sundara Theeram project being implemented by the Fisheries department to make the sea and coastal areas free of plastic is a model initiative,” Mr. Prasad said.

He also urged the Union government to intervene to resolve the issues in the fisheries sector that arose due to the United States’ tariff declaration.

Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian said that by 2031, all fisher families in Kerala would be ensured the best and safest houses. “A project worth ₹4,000 crore has already been prepared for this purpose,” he added.

H. Salam, MLA, presided. MLAs P.P. Chitharanjan and Thomas K. Thomas, Alappuzha district panchayat president K.G. Rajeshwari and others attended the function.