The Fisheries Department in Anantnag district of South Kashmir has launched a significant project to stock fish seeds in various streams and rivers, aiming to enhance the local aquatic ecosystem and provide substantial benefits to the community, particularly fishermen.
By introducing fish seeds, the department aims to increase the fish population, ensuring a sustainable source of livelihood for fishermen.
This initiative is expected to positively impact the local economy. As the fish population increases, local markets will see a rise in supply, potentially lowering prices and making fish more accessible to the broader community.
Additionally, the project will boost fishermen’s income, providing them with a more stable and reliable source of revenue. Moreover, the initiative aligns with environmental conservation goals. Maintaining healthy fish populations will improve the overall health of the aquatic ecosystems in these streams and rivers. This can lead to better water quality and a more balanced ecosystem, benefiting both wildlife and human populations.
Notably, the Department of Fisheries undertook fish seed stocking under Mission Fingerling. According to the Fisheries Department’s website, under the Mission Fingerling stocking programme, fish seeds of fingerling size are stocked in natural water bodies as well as manmade water resources, including private fish rearing units.
This activity aims to increase the fish population in natural water bodies and sustain the biomass due to an enhanced survival rate and faster growth. Under the programme, all natural water bodies are stocked with quality, disease-resistant, and fast-growing varieties of fish seed.
