GUWAHATI, April 24 � Heavy rainfall in Assam that has replenished natural water bodies and fisheries, is likely to boost fish production. According to experts, the scope for natural breeding has been enhanced by more than average rains in most parts of the State. Consequently, the overall production of fish is also set to increase.
Sources in the Fisheries Department confirmed that good rains would positively affect scores of fish farmers raising stocks in fisheries. Optimum temperature and recharge of fresh water will improve growth of fish this season for farmers who number around 2,79,000 at present.
The rainy season would especially help fish-seed growers. Around 7,800 of them in the state thus stand to benefit from conducive weather conditions. According to the Fisheries Department this year, they have not been dependent on outside acquisition unlike in previous years.
Significantly, enforcement of Assam Fishery Rules 1953 has reinforced that there would be strict prohibition to stop collection of brood fish from April 1 to July 15 as that practice destroys precious stocks from which larger gains are possible. Violators will be penalized, according to the department.
Commissioner Fisheries, Paban Kumar Barthakur, has meanwhile issued instructions to all field level officials to strongly implement existing rules so that this year�s natural advantage proves beneficial to fish farmers.
It may be mentioned that fish farming in the state is getting a renewed push with the new Assam Fish Seed Act 2005, which has been adopted by some other states as a model because of its strong features.
