To guarantee supply of hygienic fish and its product, a retail fish market outlet, the first of its kind in the state was inaugurated Wednesday by parliamentary secretary, fisheries, P&R and printing and stationeries, S. Heno at brooders’ fish farm, half Nagarjan, Dimapur. Observing the deplorable condition and absence of hygienic stalls and platforms coupled with lack of various facilities at fish markets, the department of fisheries initiated and constructed the fish market outlet at Dimapur at a total cost of `30 lakh, with 90percent financial assistance from National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and 10 percent from state share. Parliamentary secretary after unveiling the plaque of the newly constructed outlet, consisting of three stalls, congratulated the department of fisheries for their effort and said the result was a sign of unity and cooperation among the staff of the department. The parliamentary secretary has also thanked former director of fisheries, Senli Ao, who initiated the project during his tenure. Secretary fisheries and PHED, Zhaleo Rio in his brief address said the government, who had earlier sidelined fish farmers, was now giving due attention after recognizing the state’s enormous potential for large scale commercial production of fish. While disclosing the state has 30 to 40 thousand hectares of land available for fish farming, Zhaleo however regretted that only 6 to 7 thousand hectares was being utilized. For this, he said the department would be covering the entire districts in educating and assisting farmers for mass scale fish production. According to Zhaleo, the department has identified two types of fish farming – hilly and plain region. Nevertheless, the department was focusing on foothill/plain area and plans to open up large fish culture seeing that the area has huge potential for large scale fish production. Stating that the department is moving in the right direction to enhance fish production, he told the gathering to take up fishing as a family culture. Additional director of fisheries, Kohima, Zenohol Angami in his brief report of the project said the department decided to construct the outlet since Dimapur has strong potential for fish farming. Ensuring the government educates the people on modern hygienic fish markets, the National Fisheries Development Board based at Hyderabad would be providing 90percent financial assistance to any government organization for setting up retail fish market, he said. He further added the department was looking forward to constructing similar kinds of hygienic and sanitation free retail outlets in various pockets of the town in near future. Earlier, Rev Dr. P. Dozo said the invocation prayer while director of fisheries, Kohima, Chizu Kapfo proposed the vote of thanks.
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