The group has asked the planning commission to introduce 234 additional vessels for exploiting demand-based marine products. This would include 58 longliner vessels to capture tuna, billfishes and oceanic sharks. The group has also recommended 96 pole & line and purse-seiner for catching skipjack, 55 pelagic mid-water trawlers for coastal pelagics, 15 squid jiggers for oceanic squids and 10 trap/hook and liner for catching deep-sea lobsters and other bottom fins fish.
The group has presented its report where it appeals the government and the concern department for developing world class harbour and storage facilities for the improvement of marine products business in India. According to the report India is in great need of two major fishing harbours, 13 minor harbours and 46 fish landing centres by 2012.
The report also suggests the modernisation of existing harbours, cold storage facilities and factory vessels, developing fish handling and preservation facilities onboard. It has asked the authority to set up joint ventures for production and marketing of value-added marine products.
The working group has also organized a stakeholder consultation workshop in Chennai to discuss issues related to various aspects of fishing business.
