SRINAGAR: The Director Fisheries, J&K, Mohammad Farooq Dar on Sunday conducted an extensive tour of District Srinagar and inspected Trout Fish Farm, Harwan and Laribal.

The Director reviewed the implementation of the various Fisheries developmental schemes being implemented in District Srinagar and inspected the Trout seed production and functioning of the Trout Culture Farm, Laribal and Trout Farm, Harwan, Srinagar.

The Director also visited the Trout Village Dhara and Kharhose hatchery Harwan and monitored the execution work of the RAS unit and Raceways being constructed under private sector during the tour.

During the tour, the Director was informed by the District Fisheries Officer that presently 14 raceways have been constructed under PMMSY and two under UT CAPEX in District Srinagar. The land and water efficient technology for fish farming viz. RAS has been introduced in the District and one Recirculatory Aquaculture System units is being constructed in the district.

The concerned officer apprised the Director that 40 tonnes of Rainbow Trout has been sold by the Private fish farmers during the current financial year and more and more youth are coming forward to adopt fish farming as an economic enterprise. The involvement of the youth with fisheries/ aquaculture related activities will give them ample opportunity to sustain their livelihood and ensuring nutritional security.

The Director emphasized that the fish culture activity being less labour intensive with good returns will help to improve the socio-economic condition and income of the farmers.

While inspecting the Trout Culture Farm Larbal, the Director inspected the Rainbow and Brown Trout Breeding activities of the farm. It was informed that 1.18 lakh Rainbow Trout fingerlings have been supplied to the private fish farmers from the farm. The Brown Trout Seed being produced in the farm is stocked in the natural water bodies of Kashmir for conservation of this species and for the attraction of Tourist for angling purpose.

The Director visited all the units of the farm and instructed the concerned Officer to prepare estimates and submit a Plan for upgradation of some units of the farm which requires strengthening and renovation to exploit its full potential. He emphasized to increase the quality fish seed production for increasing the production and productivity of the private fish farmers.

The Director Fisheries instructed the officers to identify potential areas in their districts to prioritise setting up of more fisheries units in the private sector for better growth of the sector and welfare of those engaged in the trade.

KR Desk