Sagar Parikrama, Phase-9 begins in Tiruvandanai, Tamil Nadu

Central Department of Fisheries and National Fisheries Development Board, Government of India along with representatives of Fisheries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Indian Coast Guard and fishermen organized Sagar Parikrama, Phase-9.

Sagar Parikrama, Phase-9 was started from which place?

• Sagar Parikrama, Phase-9 was launched on 7 October 2023 from Thiruvandanai, Tamil Nadu.

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the program:

• It was launched by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala in the presence of Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and other dignitaries.
• After this Rupala inaugurated the Fish Farmers Producer Cooperative Society Limited at Manamelkudi in Pudukkottai district.

Beginning of Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan:

• The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has launched a strategic initiative on “Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan” to reach out and raise awareness among fishermen and other stakeholders across the country.
• “Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan” has been started parallelly during the Sagar Parikrama Phase-9 programme.

Promotion of Sagar Parikrama Phase-9:

• Around 10,500 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars from various places participated in the Sagar Parikrama Phase-9 programme, including around 3,400 fishermen.
• The event was streamed live on various social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Sagar Parikrama:

• Sagar Parikrama is a navigational voyage organized across all the coastal States/UTs through pre-determined sea routes to show solidarity with all the fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders concerned.
• Sagar Parikrama implemented by the Government of India contributes to disseminate information on schemes/programmes related to the fisheries sector, highlight best practices, promote responsible fisheries and demonstrate solidarity with all fishermen and concerned stakeholders.

Sagar Parikrama campaign is dedicated to fishing:

• Sagar Parikrama aims to interact with fishermen at their homes, listen to their difficulties and grievances, understand the ground realities at the village level, encourage sustainable fishing and ensure that government subsidies and initiatives reach the beneficiaries.
• So far, eight phases of Sagar Parikrama have been completed in the coastal States/Union Territories.

Main stages of Sagar Parikrama:

• The first phase of Sagar Parikrama was started from Mandvi, Gujarat (Memorial of Shyamji Krishna Varma) on 5 March 2022 with the theme ‘Revolution to Peace’.
• The second phase of Sagar Parikrama was organized from 23 to 25 September 2022. Seven places – Mangrol, Veraval, Diu, Jaffrabad, Surat, Daman and Valsad were included in this phase.
• The third phase of Sagar Parikrama commenced from Surat-Hazira Port, Gujarat on 19 February 2023 and will cover 5 locations in the coastal areas of Northern Maharashtra namely Satpati (District Palghar), Vasai, Versova, New Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha-Dhakka) and Sassoon Dock Mumbai. Held from 20-21 February 2023 in other areas.
• During the initial three phases of Sagar Parikrama, 15 places in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territory of Diu and Daman were covered.

Importance of Sagar Parikrama:

• It will focus on a sustainable balance with the utilization of marine fishery resources for the food security of the nation and the livelihood of coastal fishing communities and protection of marine ecosystems.

Status of fishing in India:

• India is the second leading country in the world to produce fish through aquaculture.
• At present India is the fourth largest fish exporting country in the world. India contributes about 7.7% to the global fish production.
• Apart from this, India ranks first in the world in inland fish production and third in overall fish production.
• Presently this sector provides livelihood to more than 2.8 crore people in the country.