1. GENERAL

General Statistics of Karnataka State

Longitude
Latitude
Geographical Area (km2) / 11º30´ to 18º23´N
74º 05´ to 78º 35´E
191791
No of Districts / 30
No. of Taluks / 176
No. of Hoblies / 747
No. of villages (Including 1924 uninhabited villages) / 29406
No. of Towns / 270
No. of Gram Panchayaths (2012-13) / 5627
No. of Municipalities/Corporations / 147
POPULATION (2011 CENSUS)
Male / 31057742
Female / 30072962
Total / 61130704
Rural / 37552529
Urban / 23578175
Scheduled Caste / 8563930
Scheduled Tribe / 3463986
Growth Rate (Annual 1.56 %)
LITERACY RATE (%) (2011 CENSUS)
Male / 82.84
Female / 68.15
Total / 75.61
WORKERS: (2011 CENSUS)
Main Workers / 19364759
Marginal Workers / 4170032
Non-Workers / 29315771
OTHER INFORMATION
Density of population /km2 / 319
Sex Ratio (Male: Female) / 1000:968
Decennial growth rate (Percentage) / 17
Projected Population for 2020 / 70774117

Source: Karnataka at a Glance 2012-13(Provisional): Directorate of Economics and

Statistics, Bangalore

INTRODUCTION

Karnataka state emerged as a maritime State in 1956 with the reorganization of the states. An independent Department of Fisheries was set up in 1957. Since then, the Department of Fisheries has been consistently striving hard for overall development of fisheries and welfare of fishermen by implementing several development schemes both in Marine and Inland sectors.

The fisheries sector plays an important role in the socio economic development of State in view of its contribution to the food basket, nutritional security, foreign exchange earnings, employment generation and income.

The fish production in Karnataka was around 2.0 lakh tons in early eighties and reached to a peak of over 3.0 lakh tons in mid nineties. The average fish production in the last 5 years is about 3.0 lakh tons with the contribution of Marine sector being 68 % and Inland sector 32 % for the year. The fish production from the state contributed about 5.80% of India’s total fish production for the year 2010-11. The current level of per-capita fish availability in the state is around 6.8 kg.

The contribution of Fisheries Sector to GSDP at current prices during 1993-94 was Rs 16,316 lakhs and it has increased to Rs 286273 lakhs in 2012-13

1.1.  Marine Fisheries

The State has 320 km of coastline and 27,000 sq km of continental shelf area rich in pelagic fishery resources. Out of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million sq km, Karnataka has a share of 87,000 sq km. Traditionally, Karnataka coast is known as “Mackerel Coast”. The marine fisheries resource potential of the State is estimated at 4.25 lakh metric tons, of which 2.25 lakh metric tons from inshore areas up to a depth of 70 m and remaining 2.0 lakh metric tons from the off shore/deep sea zone.

The pelagic fishery wealth of Karnataka coast, mainly comprising mackerel and oil sardine, used to be traditionally harvested by operating shore seine known as "Rampani". But this method has now become almost obsolete. The mechanization of fishing operation was initiated with the introduction of 30 - 46 ft. trawlers in 1957 for exploiting inshore demersal resources including shrimps. Introduction of purse seines in 1970s extended the area of fishing operation for shoaling pelagic resources. Motorization of traditional crafts like gill- netters and long- liners and encouragement of off shore fishing beyond 50 meters depth using bigger vessels for a duration of 7-8 days, have effectively increased the range and efforts of fishing operations. Further, financial institutions have extended the required loan facilities for acquiring bigger fishing boats, which has helped in increasing the fleet strength. At present, there are about 2825 mechanized boats (232 purse seiners, 2593 trawlers (including gillnetters), 6335 motorized boats and 6923 traditional boats operating in the State. There are 8 fishing harbours and 88 fish landing centres in the state. In recent years, fishermen are being trained in operation of sophisticated electronic equipments both for fishing and navigation.

Marine fish production from Karnataka coast has shown considerable variation. The fish production during 2012-13 was 3.57 lakh metric tons and 0.96 lakh metric tons of marine products worth Rs.854.00 crore were exported from the State.

At present there are 263 ice plants with a capacity of 5609. metric tons of ice production per day, 49 cold storages with a capacity of 2925 metric tons, 14 freezing plants with a capacity of 175 metric tons per day, 11 frozen storages with a capacity of 1255 metric tons, 8 canning plants with a capacity of 528.5 metric tons and 21 fish meal plants with a capacity of 424.5 metric tons per day in three coastal districts.

1.2 Inland Fisheries

The State has 5.65 lakh ha of inland water resources, comprising 1.72 lakh ha of departmental tanks (3399no.), 1.21 lakh ha of Gram Panchayat tanks (22624 no.), 2.72 lakh ha of reservoirs (82 no.) besides 5813 km length of rivers, 3187 km length of canals and 2000 ha. of private fish culture ponds which provide immense scope for development of inland fisheries. The annual estimated fish potential of these resources is around 4.01 lakh metric tons. At present, there are 67 ice plants with a capacity of 316.6 metric tons per day, 24 cold storage plants with storing capacity of 1020.50 metric tons, 1 freezing plant with a capacity of 5 metric tons per day and 1 frozen storage plant with a storage capacity of 2 metric tons in the Inland area.

During the period between 1956 and 1966, the important activity in the inland sector was to import fish seed, mostly riverine major carp fry collection from West Bengal. Fish seed production and rearing farms have been set up in the Government sector with a view to develop the much needed infrastructure for producing fish seed for stocking in tanks, ponds and reservoirs of the State. At present, there are 55 fish seed production and rearing farms under the control of State Department and Zilla Panchayat. The State requires about 56 crore fish seed to develop all water resources (cent percent utilization) suitable for fish culture. The present annual fish seed production capacity of the State is about 42 crore fry per annum.

Tank fishery development plays a strategic role in providing employment to the rural folk. The fish produced by them provides livelihood or additional income to them. The fishery rights of the tanks with achcut of more than 40 ha are vested with the Fisheries department. These water bodies are disposed either by lease or tender cum auction. As per the Govt. Order No/ RDPR/165/ZPS/2002 dated 1-3-2004 tanks up to 40 ha Achcut area have been transferred to the respective Gram Panchayats for disposal of fishery rights and development of fisheries.

Immense scope exists for development of inland fisheries with the available vast inland fisheries resources in Karnataka as shown in Table below

Table: Inland fisheries resources in Karnataka

Type / Area/Length
Major Tanks / 1.72 lakh ha
Minor Tanks / 1.21 lakh ha
Reservoir / 2.72 lakh ha
Rivers / 5813 km
Canals / 3187 km
Brackish water areas / 0.08 lakh ha
Production Potential / 4.02 lakh MT

Source: Department of Fisheries

The major programmes initiated under inland fisheries development include assistance for construction of fish ponds, stocking of grass carp seeds, construction of ponds in water logged areas, development of fish sanctuaries and intensive fish culture

with NFDB assistance etc. From 2009-10 onwards, a new scheme on providing 50% subsidy for purchase of fish seed and supply of fishery requisite kits worth Rs. 5000 (free of cost) was introduced. In 2013-14 the subsidy has been enhanced to Rs.10000 under free distribution of fisheries kits. An ornamental fish production and rearing centre called Aqua park is also being established at Hesaraghatta, Bangalore Urban district to promote ornamental fisheries in the state.

In order to develop the much needed infrastructure for producing the required quantities of fish seed for stocking in tanks, ponds and reservoirs, fish seed production and rearing farms and taluk-level nurseries have been set up by the Department of Fisheries. At present, there are 55 fish seed production/rearing farms under the control of the State’s Department of Fisheries’ and ZillaPanchayats’ and 72 Taluk level nurseries in the State. To meet increased demand for fish seed, the Government has also encouraged the establishment of private fish seed production and rearing farms by providing subsidy earlier. The State requires at least 28.00 crore fingerlings of fish seed to develop 50% water resources for fish culture. During the year 2012-13 with the NFDB assistance 70 lakh fish seed has been stocked in tanks and reservoirs at total cost of Rs.72.46 lakhs. Apart from this, under National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) assistance Rs.194.14 lakhs was released for construction of fish markets, Rs.4.68 lakhs was released as subsidy for promotion of culture of Pangasius sp, (Rs. 4.65 has been spent), Rs.2.13 lakhs for construction of one retail market and the amount has been spent, Rs. 12.65 lakhs for Cold chain development and amount has been spent. Rs.48.32 lakh was released for establishment of ornamental fish units, and out of this Rs.11.95 has been spent. Details of fish seed production in the state is given in the following table.

Details of Fish seed Production

(lakh fry)

Year / Target / Achievement
2007-08 / 3000.00 / 2287.00
2008-09 / 3100.00 / 2068.90
2009-10 / 3500.00 / 2965.00
2010-11 / 4000.00 / 3998.00
2011-12 / 5400.00 / 4041.78
2012-13 / 6345.00 / 4282.35

1.3 Schemes being implemented by the Department of Fisheries during the year 2012-13

An outlay of Rs. 19324.44 lakh is earmarked for the fisheries sector for implementation of various state plan schemes, out of this Rs.643.44 lakh has been earmarked for zilla panchayat schemes during 2012-13. Rs.6770.10 lakh is allotted as central share for centrally sponsored/central sector schemes. However the revised budget for the year 2012-13 is Rs.15875.44 lakhs.

The details of the schemes that are being implemented are given below:

Important Schemes of Department of Fisheries

I. State Plan Schemes (State Sector)

1. Director of Fisheries

Under this scheme, allocation is made towards staff salary including creation and maintenance of website, computerization, modernization of the Directorate, repair and maintenance of departmental buildings, aquaria at Cubbon Park, Bangalore, K.R.Sagar, Tumkur and Shimoga.

2. Assistance for development of Inland Fisheries.

The allocation is towards operational expenses of fish seed production and rearing farms, maintenance of vehicles, salary of staff in fish farms besides purchase of fish feed and also for augmentation of productive capacity of fish ponds and development of reservoirs, repairs of fish seed production farms, improvement of fish sanctuaries in various rivers, subsidy for purchase of fish seed, etc.

3. Strengthening of database and information networking for fisheries sector

Allocation is provided for strengthening of database and for networking, salary of the staff and purchase of computers. This is a central sector scheme and the entire amount is borne by Government of India. Enumerators are also appointed under this scheme for collection of marine fish landings.

4. Assistance for purchase of fish seed

A new scheme called “assistance for purchase of fish seed” is being implemented from 2009-10 to provide assistance to fish farmers. Inland fish farmers invest lot of money to purchase good quality seed. In order to assist them 50% subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs.5000/- to individual person and Rs.20000/- to Fishermen Co-operative Societies will be provided under this scheme. The seed has to be purchased from Government farms or Government approved fish farms.

5. Central Sector Scheme- Remission of Central excise duty on HSD used by mechanized fishing boats:

Provision has been made for remission of central excise duty on diesel used by mechanised fishing boats. This is a central sector scheme and the entire amount is borne by Government of India. Central excise duty @ Rs.3.00 /litre of diesel is exempted. As per the guidelines of the scheme, the beneficiaries are need to be below poverty line, the scheme is not being implemented as the owner of the mechanised boats does not come under BPL category.

6. Development and maintenance of Fishing harbours and landing centres

Development and maintenance of fishing harbours and landing centre is being taken up. Allocation is made towards maintenance, cleaning, electricity, drinking water supply, repairs of fishing harbours, landing centres and also construction.

7. Contribution to Distress relief fund:

Distress Relief Fund was started in order to provide relief to fishermen/their dependents in case of death/permanent disability while fishing. The relief amount which was Rs.25000 per head, during 2006-07 has been increased to Rs.50, 000/- per head. In 2012-13 under this scheme Rs.100.00 lakhs allocation was provided and the total amount has been spent. During 2012-13, relief worth Rs.36.66 lakhs was given to 69 beneficiaries in all death cases, Rs.0.10 lakhs for medical expenses to 2 fishermen, Rs.2.435 lakhs for loss of property to 37 fishermen from distress relief fund.

8. Research, extension, exhibition and training:

Allocation has been provided for the extension activities of the Department like publishing of handbills, brochures etc., on development of fisheries and innovative technologies used, purchase of exhibit materials for extension activities, publicity, seminars, workshops, film shows, evaluation studies of various schemes, to give cash awards for farmers, to give scholarships apart from meeting the expenses to take part in Exhibitions, to take up demonstration of Lab to land programmes, etc.

9. Fishermen Welfare Schemes (C.S.S)

a. Group Accident Insurance Scheme –

Under the Centrally Sponsored Group Accident insurance Scheme, the premium amount of Rs.30.00 per fisherman, shared equally by State and Centre has been paid to the National Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Ltd., New Delhi towards insurance coverage of 150,000 fishermen of the State. During 2012-13 Rs.22.50 lakhs has been paid to FISHCOFED, New Delhi towards premium and Rs.37.00 lakhs has been distributed as relief in 38 cases.

b. Housing Scheme “Matsyashraya”

Under this scheme unit cost for construction of houses is limited to Rs.60,000/-, out of which 50% of the cost is to be borne by the State Government. Govt. of India during the year 2012-13 accorded sanction for construction of 1000 houses and released Rs.150 lakhs during the year. Works are under progress.