The Karnataka government is planning formulate a new Fisheries Policy for the state, according to the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah.

Presenting the Karnataka budget for 2025-26 in Bengaluru on Friday, he said a new Fisheries Policy will be formulated in the state to ensure the protection of fishery resource and to encourage sustainable fishing and economic development of fishermen.

The coastal districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada have a coastline of more than 300 km.

To enhance the skill levels in Karnataka’s fisheries sector, he said the prescribed student strength for College of Fisheries in Mangaluru will be doubled.

To boost fisheries infrastructure in the state, he proposed the development of fishing link roads in the coastal districts, with the assistance from NABARD, at a cost of ₹30 crore.

He announced financial assistance of 50 per cent or up to ₹1 lakh for the purchase of new engines to replace old engines, which are more than 15 years old, in registered motorized fishing boats. Select fish vendors belonging to Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes will get 50 per cent financial assistance or up to ₹3 lakh for the purchase of four-wheelers.

To manage vehicular congestion at Malpe fishing harbour in Udupi district, he proposed the construction of a multi-level parking facility under the public private partnership model.

A hi-tech ‘Matsya Darshini’ will be opened in Mysuru to provide tasty, hygienic and nutritious fish delicacies to tourists.

Sea erosion

On the problems related to sea erosion along the Karnataka coast during monsoon months, he said a shoreline management plan has been prepared through IIT-Madras to comprehensively tackle the effects of sea-erosion.

A detailed project report will be prepared separately for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts to implement the shoreline management plan, and the works related to prevention of sea-erosion will be taken up in phases as per the report, he said, adding, ₹200 crore will be spent under the National Calamity Mitigation Fund.

Arecanut

The Chief Minister said ₹62 crore has been provided for plant protection measures to control leaf spot disease in arecanut plantations. More than 2 lakh arecanut growers in Malenadu districts are in distress because of this, he added.