Lok Sabha Question No. 1989 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Effective Control and Management of Resources in Fishing Sector
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1989 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  MARCH, 2020

## Effective Control and Management of Resources in Fishing Sector

## 1989. SHRI. M. K. RAGHAVAN :

Will  the  Minister  of  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken/being taken to enhance effective control and management of resources in fishing sector;
- (b) whether any sectoral study has been undertaken with the focus on fisheries policy in the country and with special emphasis on the fishing sector in Kerala, if  so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  proposal  for  modernization  of  the  Vellayil  fishing  harbor  in  Kozhikode, Kerala would be included in the management resources of fishing sector for Kerala, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE  FOR  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND DAIRYING:

## (SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)

(a) The  Department  of  Fisheries  (DoF),  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  & Dairying has taken several steps to enhance effective control and management of resources in fishing  sector  in  India.  A  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  (CSS)  on  Blue  Revolution:  Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries with major fisheries components like (i) Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations, and (ii) National scheme  of  Welfare  of  Fishermen,  besides  other  components  are  under  implementation  in  the States  /  Union  Territories  (UTs)  with  the  financial  assistance  from  this  Department  for development of overall fisheries sector in India.

Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRA) enacted by the respective States and UTs has the  provisions  for  management  and  regulation  of  marine  fisheries,  which  inter  alia  contains provision  for  regulation,  control  and  conservation  of  marine  fishery  wealth  in  sustainable manner, and maintain fishing in orderly manner.

Awareness program on Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishery (CCRF) for responsible fishing  and  for  conservation  and  management,  is  being  organized  among  the  stakeholders  to create awareness.

The  Department  of  Fisheries  (DoF),  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  & Dairying  has  been  imposing  an  uniform  ban  on  fishing  for  61  days  by  fishing  vessels  in  the Indian  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ)  on  both  the  coasts  including  Andaman  &  Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.

Fisheries  being  the  State  subject,  Department  of  Fisheries  of  the  respective  State Government and Union Territories (UTs) also control and management of resources in fishing sector.  Some  the  management  measures  observe  by  tem  are    (i)  fishing  ban  in  reservoirs  for sustainable  yield  and  improving  productivity,  (ii)  periodic  stocking  of  fish  seed  fingerlings  in potential  reservoir  to  improve  production  and  productivity,  and  (iii)  mesh  size  regulation  in capture fishing to harvest minimum legal size (iv) ban on using artificial lights for fishing (v) ban on  Bull  Trawling  and  other  destructive  fishing  methods  (vi)  ban  on  harvesting  of  endangered species,  (vii)  introduction  of  Minimum  Legal  Size  (MLS)  for  commercially  important  marine fish species etc.

(b) Specific sectoral studies have not been undertaken with the focus on fisheries policy in the country with special emphasis on the fishing sector in Kerala. However, a National Policy of Marine  Fisheries  (NPMF),  2017  was  notified  on  28th  April,  2017  and  this  Policy  has  been circulated to all Maritime States / UTs including Kerala for implementation. Fisheries Research Institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are regularly monitoring the marine  fishery resources  and  supporting  management  framework  for  sustainable  marine fisheries. Periodical revalidation studies of fish stock are being carried out in order to understand the stock position for sustainable management of resources.

(c) This Department  had in 20 th November, 2012 approved  the proposal of Government of Kerala for  construction of a new fishing harbour at Vellayil in Kozhikode District at a total  cost of 3930.20 lakh with the central share of 2947.65 lakh. Proposals for modernization of the fishing harbors have to be submitted by the respective State Governments for availing assistance of this Department.

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