The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (FAHD), Government of India, conducted the Sagar Parikrama, Phase-IX in Thiruvandanai, Tamil Nadu. Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala led the event, which was organized in collaboration with the National Fisheries Development Board, the Department of Fisheries, Government of Tamil Nadu, Indian Coast Guard, and fishermen representatives.
During the event, Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala interacted with fishermen, fisherwomen, and beneficiaries. He emphasized the use of new technology in the fishery sector, discussed the PM Vishwakarma Program for fishermen, and distributed Kisan Credit Cards to beneficiaries. Additionally, he inaugurated a fish farmer producer cooperative society in Manamelkudi, Pudukkottai District.
The Sagar Parikrama continued with visits to Mallipattinam Fishing Harbour, Thanjavur District, Adirampattinam Fish Landing Centre, Thanjavur District, and Seruthur Fishing Village, Nagapattinam District. Shri Parshottam Rupala and other dignitaries interacted with fishermen, fish farmers, and beneficiaries, discussing various schemes and gathering insights into their livelihoods.
The program also included virtual interactions with beneficiaries of schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PMMSY, FIDF, and KCC. The Minister highlighted the transformative changes and success stories achieved through various schemes in the fisheries sector in the last nine years. He also mentioned the “Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan,” a strategic initiative to enhance outreach and awareness among fishers and stakeholders across India.
Approximately 10,500 fishermen, fisheries stakeholders, and scholars attended the Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX program, with around 3,400 fisherwomen participating. The program was live-streamed on various social media platforms. Sagar Parikrama aims to disseminate information on fisheries-related schemes, highlight best practices, promote responsible fisheries, and demonstrate solidarity with fisherfolks and stakeholders. It involves interacting with fishermen, addressing their difficulties, encouraging sustainable fishing practices, and ensuring government subsidies and initiatives reach the beneficiaries. The initiative has covered eight phases across coastal states and union territories.