Union Minister Parshottam Rupala and Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan from Chennai Port have jointly launched the 10th phase of Sagar Parikrama.

Promotion of Sagar Parikrama Phase-10:

Sagar Parikrama Phase-10 is set to happen from January 1 to January 6, 2024 across different spots in Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.
The scope of the 10th phase will include the remaining coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.
Yanam district of Puducherry will also be included in this.

“Sagar Parikrama”:

It is envisioned as a part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' honouring our great freedom fighters, sailors and fishermen.
The journey of the first phase of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ started in Mandvi, Gujarat on 5 March 2022 and ended in Porbandar on 6 March 2022.
A total of nine stages of Sagar Parikrama have been completed.
Sagar Parikrama passes through the coastal states/union territories of Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and part of Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Objective of “Sagar Parikrama”:

Sagar Parikrama is a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership for the welfare of the fishing community and coastal development.
Sagar Parikrama aims to disseminate information about various schemes and programs related to fisheries, promote responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance and protect marine ecosystems.

Status of the fisheries sector in India:

India is the second leading country in the world regarding fish production through aquaculture.
India is the world's fourth largest fish exporter, contributing 7.7% to global fish production.
India ranks first in the world in inland fish production and third in overall fish production.
Currently, the fisheries sector provides employment to more than 2.8 crore people in the country.

Major initiatives of the Government of India related to fisheries:

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana-

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is a sustainable development scheme focused on fisheries.
Which is to be implemented in all the states/union territories from the financial year 2020-21 to the financial year 2024-25 under the Self-reliant India Package.
The scheme aims to increase fish production by 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund -

The estimated amount of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund is Rs 7,522 crore, of which the major lending institutions mobilize Rs 5,266.40 crore. At the same time, the beneficiaries' contribution is Rs 1,316.6 crore.
Rs 939.48 crore received as budgetary support from the Government of India.

‘Pak Bay’ scheme –

This scheme is ‘Diversification of Trawl Fishing Boats from Palk Straits into Deep Sea Fishing Boats’.
This scheme was launched in 2017 as a ‘Centrally Sponsored Scheme’.