Context
The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha, which seeks to amend the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act 2005.
Highlights of the Bill:
- Introduced by: Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshotaam Rupala.
- The Bill seeks to decriminalise the offences under the Act for promoting ease of doing business and to fine-tune the operational procedures of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority.
- It also aimed at promoting newer forms of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture including cage culture, seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture and pearl oyster culture which has the potential for creating additional employment opportunities.
- The Bill also has a provision to prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances which are harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture.
Significance of the Bill:
- The Bill has potential for creating additional employment opportunities.
- It also has a provision to prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances which are harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture.
Coastal Aquaculture Authority:
- CAA was established under the provisions of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005
- Objective: To regulate the activities connected with coastal aquaculture in coastal areas.
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Other Government Interventions:
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
- The Government has launched the PMMSY for the development of marine & inland fisheries.
- 11,000 crore for activities in Marine, Inland fisheries, & Aquaculture & Rs. 9000 crores for Infrastructure – Fishing Harbours, Cold chain, Markets etc shall be provided.
- There are provisions of Ban Period Support to fishermen (during the period fishing is not permitted).
- The focus will be on Islands, Himalayan States, and North-east & Aspirational Districts.
- National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):
- NFDB works for development of Fisheries in the country from Intensive Aquaculture in Ponds & tanks to Coastal Aquaculture.
- It also focuses on: –
- Human Resources development programs in fisheries sectors,
- Deep sea fishing & tuna processing,
- Ornamental Fisheries,
- Innovative Projects Quality seed dissemination program,
- Cage & pen culture in open water bodies etc.