“Sagar Parikrama” is a transformative journey planned across the coastal belt to show solidarity with the fisher folk, Fish farmers, and related stakeholders. Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-IX which started from 7^th Oct 2023 from Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu covered Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam districts, Tamil Nadu and Karaikal district, Union Territory of Puducherry, touched Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore districts and Puducherry on 8^th October 2023 and has concluded today at Chennai by covering other coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.

In all around today approx. 11,100 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, and scholars attended physically the Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX program from various places of which approx. 4600 fisherwomen participated. Overall, approx. 32,300 beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers, fisher women and other stakeholders contributed and participated in Sagar Parikrama Phase- IX from across the entire coastal region of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry. Sagar Parikrama would continue to support in resolving the issues of fishers, other stakeholders and facilitate fishermen & fisherwomen at their doorstep by hearing their difficulties and grievances. Sagar Parikrama shall continue witness the village level ground realities and encourage sustainable fishing.

The programme continued with an interaction of Union Ministers and other senior dignitaries with fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers etc. at Chennai Fishing Harbour. In addition, Union Minister (FAHD), GoI took a review meeting with the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry official, Government of Tamil Nadu regarding effective utilization of Government schemes and discussed the status, issues, and challenges. He has also shared his opinion that carrying out the PMMSY scheme activities shall have a significant impact on the fisheries sector in India. This will not only boost the income of fishermen and fish farmers but also increase the availability of fish in the market, which will have a positive impact on food security and nutrition.

Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the infrastructure projects with total project cost of Rs. 9246.59 (In Lakhs) approved under PMMSY of such as i) Construction of Fish Landing Centre at Periyakalapet, ii) Construction of Fish landing center at Nallavadu: iii) Construction/Expansion of existing Fishing Harbour at Veerampattinam.

Shri. Parshottam Rupala led the third day of Sagar Parikrama Phase- IX in the presence of Secretary, DoF, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary, DoF, Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad,  Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board, Dr L.N Murthy and Fishermen Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Sagar Parikrama Yatra visited Anumandai Fish Landing Centre (Villupuram District) and Pudupattinam Fish Landing Centre (Chengalpattu District) where, Shri Rupala and dignitaries interacted with fishermen and fish farmers are like i) Sathyamoorthy, ii) Nehru, iii) Kannan and Mani has been felicitated for Cage Culture project. Union Minister Shri Rupala reviewed the improvements and renovations for jetty and discussed about preparations, field work, fish handling with fishermen and fish farmers.

Sagar Parikrama Phase- IX Yatra Mamallapuram Kuppam Fish Landing Centre, Ministers and senior dignitaries interacted with beneficiaries and All India Shrimp Hatchery Association (AISHA) members at Mahabalipuram. Further, the beneficiaries were felicitated with KCC like i) Dhanesekar, ii) Karrenakaran, iii) Jayaraman, iv) Shekhar at Mamallapuram. Also, the association members participated and put forward regarding the disease surveillance program in fisheries, world class human resource training for fisheries sector, awareness industry to take up for seeding and breeding of fish. Shri Parshottam Rupala thanked the members of the association for discussing the challenges and suggested all to make an effort to be global leader in shrimp production and related products.

 Moving forward, Shri Parshottam Rupala took a review meeting with the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry official, Government of Tamil Nadu regarding effective utilization of Government schemes. He suggested the officials to ensure the regular monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms should be put in place to track progress, identify gaps, and take corrective measures wherever necessary. This will enable to build trust and credibility among the beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders at large. Further, he visited and reviewed the status of Tuna Fishing Harbour project at Thiruvottiyur, Kuppam, emphasising on various aspects of the projects. Union Minister during the review meeting also emphasized on MVU and encouraged the Government of TN to coordinate with the banks to help fishermen get the KCC cards. Union minister observed that provisioning of MVUs is a very important step towards Animal Health care and must not be delayed. He instructed the officials to do needful and operationalise the MVUs without any further delay. Director Animal Husbandry informed that Mobile Vetrinary Units (MVUs) has already been procured with 100% central assistance and it is yet to be operationalised.

During the event, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi had an opportunity to interact with fisherwomen. Dr.  Abhilaksh Likhi informed that pre-Saturation Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX has been conducted for more than 5 days from 30^th Oct 2023 to 6^th Oct 2023. About 11 districts covering 64 locations in Tamil Nadu coast and 2 districts in Puducherry covering 21 locations campaigning on KCC, PMMSY & FIDF and other outreach activities were carried and approx. 3084 fishermen, fish farmers have participated in the campaign. As a result, KCC applications sanction worth of Rs 531.30 lakhs has been achieved, covering 8 districts from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry benefiting 1599 Number of fishermen, fish farmers, fisher societies etc.

First day programme of Sagar Parikrama commenced from 7^th October 2023 led by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala along with  Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr L. Murugan and other senior dignitaries visited locations like Thondi, Jegathapattinam Fish Landing Centre, Mallipattinam Fishing Harbour, Adirampattinam Fish Landing Centre, Seruthur Fishing Village, Nagapattinam Fishing Harbour, Karaikal Fish Landing Centre and interacted with beneficiaries such as fishermen, fisherwomen, fish farmers and other stakeholders. Progressive beneficiaries were felicitated with distribution of Kisan Credit Card (KCC).

Second day programme of Sagar Parikrama, continued on 8^th October 2023 led by Shri Parshottam Rupala along with Dr L. Murugan  in the presence of Chief Minister of Puducherry, Shri N. Rangasamy, Lt. Governor, Puducherry, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Minister of Fisheries, Puducherry, Shri K. Lakshminarayanan and other senior dignitaries visited the locations like Tharangambadi Fish Landing Centre, Poompuhar Fishing Harbour, Cuddalore Fishing Harbour, Puducherry and interacted with beneficiaries and other stakeholders. Progressive beneficiaries were felicitated with sanction of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and insulated fish vehicles. On the sidelines of the program, Secretary, epartment of Fisheries, Dr  Abhilaksh Likhi visited Athur Fish Seed Rearing Centre, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu on 8^th October 2023, interacted with fish farmers, observed the inauguration of Projects and “Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan” has undertaken parallelly.