Tuesday, May 3 2005 16:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government has decided to set up a body on the lines of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for all round development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country.

Announcing this, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that the body would be set up this year (2005) itself to tap the marine potential that the vast coastline provided in the country.

The NDDB set up in mid-sixties had turned India from shortage to surplus in milk production through White Revolution, he said.

"We will have infrastructure system and institution by this year-end to bring a marine revolution in the country", Pawar said winding up a discussion on a bill to set up a Coastal Aquaculture Authority.

The bill, which was passed by voice vote with two minor amendments, aims at regulating activities of aquaculture in coastal areas, which provided opportunities for employment and livelihood through alternative avocation other than agriculture.

He said that the development of aquaculture in the last several years has taken exports to Rs 6,000 crore annually.

Allaying fears of members, he said that adequate safeguards had been provided to protect the interest of fishermen and farmers in coastal areas where aquaculture was being developed.