Fisheries department adopts SOP for aquaculture activities

Dimapur, April 26 (EMN): In pursuance to the Home department letter, department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has adopted the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) related to movement of aquaculture farmers, fish workers, transport and marketing of fish, fish seed, feed and inputs for aquaculture activities and fishing in larger inland water bodies to ensure social distancing and undertaking requisite precautions in view of Covid-19.

A notification issued by the commissioner and secretary Dinesh Kumar stated that the SOPs should be implemented through district administration including fisheries administration and need to be strictly followed by all stakeholders including fish farmers and farm workers/ hatchery operators and operating hands, marginal fishers and fish marketing personnel (wholesaler/retailers).

It stated that the SOPs would be applicable to all the activities related to inland fisheries and aquaculture industry operations including post-harvest and marketing activities during the lockdown period and till further orders.

It, however, stated that relaxations allowed for inland fishery activities could be withdrawn at any time by the government in case on non-compliance of SOPs or for such other reasons as may be decided by the government.

SOPs for inland fisheries

1. Fish production units/fish farms and fish seed hatcheries

a. The fish production units, fish farms and fish seed hatcheries identified by the department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would be allowed to carry out fishery activities like pond preparation and management, fish harvesting, seed production, packing and selling etc. subject to the compliance of the guidelines issued by the MHA and SOPs issued by the department.

b. Social distancing and proper hygienic practices should be maintained during all farming/ operational activities. Arrangement of personal protective items such as hand sanitiser, soap, face mask etc. should be ensured at the place of work.

c. Disinfectant spraying and hygienic practices should be carried out at the pond/ farm sites/ infrastructure sites/ hatcheries including disinfection of farm implements at regular intervals or after completion of each operation cycle.

d. Visitors should not be permitted inside the farm/ production units till situation becomes normal.

e. Vehicles (carriers) of farm inputs, farm produce and fish seeds should be monitored by the district fisheries officer, who in consultation with the district administration, would issue necessary permit/pass for their transport to the destination.

f. Farm owners/ farmers should declare and share the list of workers/ personnel to the nodal fishery officer(s) posted within their jurisdiction for maintaining the details of the workers/ personnel in the register. Further, if any farmer/ worker develops symptoms like cough, fever, shortness of breath, body ache etc. should immediately inform the nodal fishery officer of the area for further action.

g. The farm owner/ farmer should procure inputs locally as far as possible and limit movement of workers within the district only.

h. The district fishery officer and local administration should ensure that the live seed vehicles are not detained en-route. The details of seed movement along with vehicle and staff should be maintained by the nodal officer of fisheries department.

i. Distribution of fish seeds to farmers should be done only by fisheries department personnel after observing all safety norms.

2. Inland water bodies such as reservoirs, wetlands, lakes and rivers

a. Harvesting of fish from large water bodies like reservoirs, wetlands, lakes, rivers etc. could be carried out by using smaller country crafts with minimum number of fishers and by using cast nets or gill nets.

b. Community fishing should be put on hold and only marginal fishers would be allowed to fish from the larger water bodies till situation improves to normal. Fishers allowed to carry out fishing would have to return to their designated fish landing sites only.

c. Fishers should maintain social distance while on board, take all sanitary precautions and avoid contact with fishers having symptoms of flu. On development of such symptoms, fisher should immediately abandon fishing activity and inform the fishery nodal officer(s) of the area for further action.

d. Minimum handling of catch should be ensured onboard as well as at the landing centres till the fishes are disposed of to the trader.

3. Fish markets (whole sale or retail)

a. Social distancing should be maintained in all wet fish markets (wholesale or retail). Dealers or workers should adhere to preventive guidelines as prescribed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

b. All fish collection centres/ markets (wholesale or retail) should be sanitised on daily basis as per the advice of health authorities.

c. Fish should be transported to nearby markets/ stalls/ designated areas through the sanitised vehicles for which necessary pass/permission would be issued by the district authorities.

d. The auctioning/ selling of fish should be carried out at the designated sites/areas as decided by the district authorities where hygienic conditions and maintenance of social distancing are ensured.

e. Minimum handling of fish has to be carried out and the persons engaged in marketing and selling shall adhere to proper sanitation/ hygienic methods as prescribed by the local food safety department

f. Fish vendors/retailers should restrict their movement from one area to other distant areas so as to avoid contamination. The outlets/ shops should be disinfected on a daily basis.

As the above list is not exhaustive, the notification stated that the district administration in consultation with Fisheries department and stakeholders could include other appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and Government of Nagaland.