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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 12:
 

Tamilnadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala releasing a souvenir of the India International Seafood Show - 2008. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh is among those present.

        Marine exports form just two per cent of India's total exports but is still important in generating employment for the poor,' Union Minister of State for Commerce and noted economist Jairam Ramesh said yesterday.

        He said this at the inaugural of 'INDAQUA 2007', organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority here.

        Further, the Minister said the National Fisheries Development Board should associate with such events in future to benefit marine-based industries in the country.

        He also said that brackish water aquaculture potential should be tapped properly. 'Currently a mere 15 per cent of brackish water aquaculture is being utilised in India, which is pathetic, to say the least,' he added.

        The Minister noted that the Andaman and Nicobar islands is an important source for Tuna fish which is preferred by people of South-East Asia and said the islands have been identified as a bio secure zone.

        Jairam also drove home the point that India had a large processing industry which has not been properly utilised.

        Tamilnadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said that the State was rich in marine resources and in fact ranks fifth in the country in terms of fish production.

        Also present on the occasion were Orissa Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Golak Bihari Naik and West Bengal Minister in charge of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources and Fishing Harbour Department Kiranmay Nanda.

        Tamilnadu Fisheries Minister K P P Sami also spoke.