Prepare a Planned Action Program for Desilting Lakes – Minister Nitesh Rane

Instructions to All Department Officials to Boost Fish Production in the State

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : The state has vast opportunities for increasing fish production. This season, fish production in the state has risen by 47%, and further growth is expected in the coming season. All officers and staff in the department should make efforts toward this goal. Moreover, desilting lakes can significantly enhance freshwater fish production. Therefore, a time-bound action plan should be prepared for lake desilting, Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane directed.

The minister gave these instructions during a review meeting on the fishing season held at the Mantralaya. Fisheries Commissioner Kishor Tawade and Managing Director of the Fisheries Development Corporation Avinash Pathak were present, while regional commissioners and all assistant commissioners across the state participated via video conferencing.

Minister Rane noted that since starting drone surveys, there has been a good increase in marine fish production. He emphasized that removing silt from lakes will improve freshwater fish yields. For this purpose, programs should be planned in coordination with the Water Resources Department. Encroachments on lakes should be removed, and officers must ensure that no illegal activities take place. “The better the discipline, the better the production,” he said, urging all officers to strictly follow the suggestions given for boosting fish production.

Minister Rane also said that the Plastic-Free Koliwada initiative should be accelerated. Fishermen should be encouraged to sell their produce in local markets. Considering the additional taxes imposed by the United States, selling fish products in local and domestic markets is a good alternative. Discussions should be held with companies in this sector, and awareness should be raised among fishermen. All assistant commissioners should be trained in the use of AI. A fish and prawn food festival should be organized, and a roadmap should be prepared to increase prawn sales, the minister instructed.