Lok Sabha Question No. 2461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Demand for Fishery Products
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2461 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  MARCH, 2021

## DEMAND FOR FISHERY PRODUCTS

## 2461.   SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- a) whether the fishery trade has been hit hard due to COVID-19;
- b) if so, whether the demand of fishery products have declined due to this reason;
- c) whether fishery industry have huge stock for export and for domestic consumption resulting in bringing down prices of fish and fishery products and if so, the details thereof;
- d) whether the Government has given any assistance to fishermen in the country to recover from the crisis; and
- e) 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)  &  (b)  Like  other  sectors,  fisheries  trade  has  also  been  impacted  due  to  COVID-19  pandemic. During  peak  of  the  pandemic,  the  demand  for  fisheries  products  has  fallen  in  international  and domestic markets due to disruption in supply chain.

(c)  Indian  fisheries  resources  and  the  production  capacity  are  sufficient  to  meet  the  demand  for export as well as domestic consumption and resulting price stabilization.

(d) & (e) Yes, Sir. In view of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and in order to mitigate the impact of the crisis to fishers and fish farmers, a number of measures were taken to facilitate the activities during the lockdown including exemption of operation of marine fisheries and aquaculture activities from  the  restrictions  under  the  lockdown  vide  the  5 th Addendum  to  the  consolidated  Guidelines dated 10 th April, 2020 issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)'- A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India as a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat relief  package  with  a  highest  ever  estimated investment of Rs. 20050 crores in fisheries sector over a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories. The PMMSY inter alia provides support for acquisition of Deep sea fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, up gradation of existing fishing vessels for export competency,  establishment  of  bio-toilets  in  mechanised  fishing  vessels,  providing  communication and /or tracking devices for traditional and motorised vessels like VHF/DAT/NAVIC/Transponders etc.,  support  for  providing  safety  kits  for  fishermen  of  traditional  and  motorized  fishing  vessels, providing  boats  (replacement)  and  nets  for  traditional  fishermen,  support  to  fishermen  for  PFZ devices and network including the cost of installation and maintenance etc.