North kanara District plays an important role in the Fisheries Development of the State.The District is having 162kms of Costal lengths and roughly having 10 – 11000 square Kms.of continental shelf area which is very good potential area for fishing & Fish productions and the coast of North Kanara District is very much famous for “Mackerel Fisheries”. The average fish Production of the District is around 25,076 mt. worth of notional value of Rupees 66 crores. Apart from this the District too is having very good Inland fisheries resources comprising of 4 Reserviors; 76 Major Tanks and 925 Minor Tanks and also the River flow in the District viz. Kali, Aganashini, Gangavali, Sharavati and Venktapura Rivers provides good scope for Fisheries Development . The District is known for Brackish water Fish Farming having 3868 ha.of Brackish water area which gives immence scope and potential for the shrimp production and also provides good Employment opportunities. Thus, as a whole the North kanara Disrict is playing pivotal role in Fish production and as well Socio Econimic upliftment of the Fishermen by providing Employment opportunities contributing considerable amount of G.D.P. to the State Economy.
FISHERMEN AND FISHERIES CRAFT & TACKLE
There are about 1,09,087 Fishermen in the District of which 50,284 Fishermen are actively Engaged in Fisheries activities. The District possess 18,348 Traditional Boats viz., Dugout Canoes, 2,396 Mechanized Boats Comprising of various types viz., 133 purse-seine Boats, 738 Trawlers, 1,455 Gill netters and 70 Others mechanized Boats Engaged in harvesting different Species of Fish, Prawns ,Squids etc., by using various types of Gears (Fishing nets)
INTEGRATED MARINE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
North Kanara District Co-operative Fish MarketingFederation Ltd. Karwar has successfully implemented the “Integrated marine Fisheries development Project” with the aids of National Co-operative Development Corporation funds of Rs.11.02Crores. With the implementation of this Scheme, the Socio economic improvements of the traditional Fishermen and the infrastructural Development programmes have been
made good.
The District is having a Major Fishing harbour at Karwar & Honnavar and medium Fishing harbour at Tadadi and Minor Fishing harbour at Belekeri, Constructed under various projects and Schemes of the Government provides good scope for Marine fisheries activities of the District.
There are about 16 Fish Landing Centers in the District, and they also provide facilities for sheltering Boats and fisheries activities.
Under “Naval Sea Bird Project” The District Administration has constructed a fishing Harbour at Amdalli village Karwar Taluk for the benefit of the rehabilitated fishermen.
FISHERIES LINK ROADS
The District is having a total No.101 Fisheries Link Roads with their length of 95.60 Kms. The State Government is improving these roads in a phased manner with the State funds and as well with the assistance of NABARD, RIDF.
FISHERMEN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES
The District is having 42 Fishermen Co-operative Societies in which 6 are Fisherwomen Co-operative Societies of which 41 Fishermen Co-operative Societies are functioning at present.
BRACKISH WATER PRAWN FARMING;
The Brackish Water Fish Farmers Development Agency was established in the District under the kind patronage of Govt. of India. The said Agency registered under the Karnataka Cooperative Registration Act 1960 is functioning since 1987 with the funds of state and Government of India for the development of Brackish Water area of the District to encourage and enhance specially prawn production.
As at present 295 prawn farmers with the genuine license obtained from the Aquaculture Authority of India have developed 1550ha.Of Brackish Water area under semi intensive prawn production technology. Apart from this, traditional prawn farming is going on in 1600ha.of Brackish Water area. The overall and average Brackish Water prawn farming production of the District is around 2785m.tonne.Which as contributed considerable employment and economy in rural areas of the District.
FISHERMEN HOUSING PROGRAMME UNDER C.S. MATHSYASHARYA SCHEME
The Fishermen welfare programme to provide Houses for the fishermen who are houseless and possess sites and dwelling in huts being given the preference. Housing programmes have been taken up both under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme and under MathsyAshraya Scheme. 436 No. of Houses have been constructed and completed under the C.S.S. with the total cost of Rs.126.14 Lakhs and 1001& 410 Nos. of houses have been completed under I and II phase of Mathsy Ashrya Scheme with the Total cost of Rs.3.003Crores now, 520 No. of houses have been sanctioned with the Total cost of Rs.2.08Crores under III rd phase of Mathsy Ashraya Scheme which is in different stages of progress in the District. There is still good Demand for housing programme for the fishermen in the District where in the beneficiaries lists are being updated from time to time by the Department of Fisheries.
FISHERMEN GROUP ACCIDENTAL INSURANCE SCHEME:
TheFishermen while engaged in Fisheries activities if died, permanently or partially disabled due toNatural calamities and other reasons is eligible forRs.1,00,000/- and Rs.50,000/- respectively as compensations paid to their near dependents & to the beneficiary respectively. This compensations is being paid through “ MATSYAFED”. New Delhi for which the State Govt. is fully bearing the premium amount of fishermen members of fishermen co-operative societies of the State.
FISHERIES DISTRESS RELIEF FUND:
The State Government under the Fishermen Distress relief fund scheme is also providing Rs.50000/- to the dependent of the fishermen who dies while engaged in fisheries activities and Different scales of amount being granted if the fishermen, looses nets and other equipments while engaged in fisheries activities.
MARINE AQUARIUM:
Marine Aquarium at Karwar was constructed under theWestern Ghat Development Programme by the Department of Fisheries with the Total cost of Rs25.00lakhs with the aim of providing awareness and knowledge about the fish among the general public and children specially. It also provides entertainment and Educate the public which is good from the point of view of “Mind and Health” Development. Now, the Marine Aquarium being maintained by the Zilla Panchayat Karwar.
INLAND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT:
In North Kanara Yallapura, Mundgod, Haliyal, Sirsi,Siddapura, Joida taluks are having very good Inland Fisheries resources viz. Rivers, Reservoirs,Tanks and Ponds in which quality fish Seeds are being stocked for the Development of Inland Fisheries resources in order to produce proteinacious rich food and provide employment and economy in these rural area.
