Lok Sabha Question No. 2326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-03
Subject: Sea Water Fishing
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Prasun Banerjee

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2326 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 RD  AUGUST, 2021

## Sea Water Fishing

## 2326: SHRI PRASUN BANERJEE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has made any master plan to encourage sea water fishing as the country has near about 7500 kilometer coastline, which gives great scope for this sector and export opportunity thereby, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  support  provided  by  the  Government  to  protect  the  lives  of  the  poor fishermen; and
- (c) the role played by the Government for upliftment of the social and economic status of the poor fishermen?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c) The Government has notified National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 (NPMF, 2017) to encourage marine fishing in the Indian waters. The overarching goal of the NPMF, 2017 is to ensure the health and ecological integrity of the marine living resources of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through sustainable harvests for the benefit of present and future generations of the nation. The overall strategy of the NPMF, 2017 is based on seven pillars,  namely sustainable development, socio-economic upliftment of fishers, principle of subsidiarity, partnership, inter-generational equity, gender justice and precautionary approach. These seven pillars are to guide the actions of various stakeholders in meeting the vision and mission set for the marine fisheries sector of the country.

The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  is implementing a flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an estimated investment of Rs.20,050 crore for a period of 5 years from financial year 2020-21  to  2024-25  in  all  States/Union  Territories  (UTs).  The  welfare  related  activities supported under the PMMSY primarily include (i) insurance cover for fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, (ii) insurance for fishing vessels, (iii) livelihood support and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers during fishing ban/lean period,

(iv) supply of boats and nets to traditional fishermen, (v) supply of safety kits for traditional and  motorized  fishing  vessels,  (vi)  supply  of  communication  and  Potential  Fishing  Zones devices for motorized boats, (vii) support for acquisition of technologically advanced fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, (viii) Up-gradation of existing fishing vessels, (ix) Open sea cage culture, ornamental fisheries, seaweed cultivation for creating alternative employment opportunities to coastal communities, (x) development of integrated modern fishing villages, (xi) development of fishing harbours, landing centres, cold chain facilities, transport vehicles, marketing  etc.  to  facilitate  the  fishermen  for  smooth  operation  of  fishing  activities  and augment financial returns.

Under the PMMSY financial support is provided during fishing ban/lean period in the form of livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers'  families  for  conservation  of  fish  resources.  Under  this  component,  Governmental financial assistance of Rs.3000/- per enrolled fisher is shared in the ratio of 50:50 between Centre and general States, 80:20 between Centre and North Eastern and Himalayan States while  100%  Central  assistance  for  UTs.  Besides,  the  beneficiary  contributes  Rs.1500/annually and the total accumulated amount of Rs.4500/- annually is disbursed to the enrolled beneficiary by the respective State/UT at the rate of Rs.1500/- per month during the fishing ban/lean period.

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