New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) Overall fish production has registered an increase of about 18 point 86 per cent in comparison to the last three years, whereas inland fish production has registered a growth of more than 26 per cent, Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh said here on Tuesday.

The scheme 'Blue Revolution' has been launched with the outlay of Rs 300 crore for the integrated development of the Fisheries sector in the country, Mr Singh said at a function organised on "World Fisheries Day" in the National Agricultural Science Center (NASC) complex, Pusa Road.

He said combining the production of all types of fisheries (capture and culture), the total fish production in the country has reached at about 11.41 million tonnes in 2016-17.

Mr Singh said about 1.5 crore people in the country are employed in the fisheries sector for their livelihood.

The Union Agriculture Minister said the previously implemented "Letter of Permit" or "LOP" system in the EEE has been stopped since January. Besides, specific decisions have been taken to safeguard the interests of traditional fishermen in the area of EEZ beyond 12 nautical miles, which is regulated by the Union Government, such as the traditional fishers have been exempted from the fishing ban implemented during monsoon period in the EEZ; use of LED lights/other artificial lights for fishing as well as practice of bull-trailing or pair-trailing have been completely banned, recently on November 10. The duration of fishing ban has also been increased from 47 days to 61 days, with the consent of all coastal State Governments.
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