Context:
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) celebrated World Fisheries Day (WFD) 2024 on November 21.
Key Initiatives Launched:
- 5th Marine Fisheries Census for data-driven policymaking.
- National Plan of Action on Sharks for sustainable shark management.
- Regional Plan of Action on IUU Fishing – Endorsed by India to prevent Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing in the Bay of Bengal, in cooperation with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives.
- Support to IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership Project –To combat marine plastic litter.
- New Single Window System by Coastal Aquaculture Authority – For online registration of coastal aquaculture farms.
- Kerala received the award for Best Marine State, while Telangana was recognized as Best Inland State.
India’s Fisheries Sector:
- World’s 2nd largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output
- Ranks 2nd in aquaculture production, and leads in shrimp production and export.
- One of the largest producers in capture fisheries.
- Inland fisheries contribute to 70% of the total fish production
- Top Producing States – Andhra Pradesh followed by West Bengal.
Important Initiatives to Promote Fisheries Sector:
- Committee on Fisheries (COFI)
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSSY)
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMKSY)
- National Fisheries Development Board: Established in 2006 as an autonomous organization under MoFAH&D.
- Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:
1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish in water.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is incorrect: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for fish and other aquatic organisms, but it is not directly influenced by the biofiltration process.