Maharashtra Fisheries & Ports Minister Nitesh Rane Urges Time-Bound Plan For Lake Desilting To Boost Fish Yield

Mumbai: There are significant opportunities to boost fish production in Maharashtra, and the state has already recorded a 47% increase in production this season. With further growth expected in the coming season, all officers and staff must make concerted efforts to achieve this, said Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane.

He noted that desilting lakes could substantially increase freshwater fish production, and therefore instructed the department to prepare a time-bound action plan for the task. He was speaking at a review meeting on the fishing season held at Mantralaya, attended by Fisheries Commissioner Kishor Tawade and Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation Managing Director Avinash Pathak, while regional deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners participated via video conferencing.

Highlighting that marine fish production has risen following the introduction of drone surveys, Rane said the desilting program should be planned in coordination with the Water Resources Department. He directed that encroachments on lakes be removed and that officers ensure no illegal activities take place. “The better the discipline, the higher the production. All officers must strictly follow the given instructions to increase fish production,” he stressed.

Rane also called for accelerating the “Plastic-Free Koliwada” initiative and encouraging fish producers to sell their products in local markets. Considering the additional tariffs imposed by the United States, promoting sales in domestic markets is a good alternative, he said, suggesting discussions with companies in the sector and awareness campaigns for producers.

He further instructed that assistant commissioners be trained in the use of AI, a Fish and Prawn Food Festival be organised, and a roadmap be prepared to boost prawn