The State government is making interventions to support the crisis-hit Inland Fisheries sector, Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma has said.
The Minister was inaugurating the distribution of fishing boats under ‘Donate a Boat, Donate a Livelihood’ project of ‘I am for Alleppey’, a social media campaign spearheaded by Alappuzha subcollector Krishna Teja, here on Sunday.
Law to be enacted
“We will enact a new law specifically for people associated with inland fishing. Steps will be taken to prevent unscientific fishing in inland waterbodies in the State. For fish breeding, 20 hectares in Vembanad and Ashtamudi lake will be identified and declared as protected areas,” the Minister said.
A total of 20 boats have been distributed in the first phase of the project.
The boats were donated by the Hyderabad-based Abhaya Foundation and Hyundai Motors.
400 to be given
The ‘I am for Alleppey’ campaign plans to distribute 400 fishing boats to fishermen in the coming months.
The campaign was launched last year to help the flood-hit people in the district.