In a significant move for the state’s vital aquaculture sector, the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly has approved a new Bill to amend the existing State Aquaculture Development Authority (APSADA) Act of 2020. This legislative update is designed to streamline aquaculture operations, simplify licensing procedures, and modernize outdated regulations, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable future for farmers and businesses.
During the Bill’s presentation in the House on Wednesday, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries, highlighted the core objectives. He emphasized that these new measures are specifically crafted to simplify regulatory processes, foster greater compliance among farmers and operators, and generally enhance the overall governance of Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture industry.
These proposed amendments are a direct response to comprehensive feedback gathered from various stakeholders and address operational challenges that arose under the previous Act. The changes aim to boost both the environmental sustainability and economic efficiency of the sector.
One of the key improvements is making the Act more accessible and user-friendly, incorporating insights from extensive stakeholder consultations. A notable provision will allow aquaculture farmers who missed the initial registration deadline to endorse their old registrations. This can be done by paying the standard license fee along with a 50% late fee, a measure expected to benefit approximately 20% of the state’s aquaculture farmers.
Perhaps the most impactful change involves the revision of license validity. Under the previous Act, licenses for aquaculture business operations and related activities were issued for a lifetime. The new amendments will shorten this validity period to one year for business operations and five years for aquaculture activities. This adjustment aligns with the Central Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act of 2005, and is expected to significantly bolster the financial sustainability of APSADA.