Lok Sabha Question No. 3538 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-10
Subject: Objectives of New Ministry
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Mahua Moitra

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3538 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  AUGUST, 2021

## Brackishwater Aquaculture

## 3538.  SHRI HIBI EDEN:

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

- (a) whether the  Government has  achieved  any  significant  milestones  in  breeding  of  Grey  Mullet (Madavai) fishes by Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the benefits of such a breeding aquaculture for farmers of this country over traditional methods of breeding methods;
- (c) whether the Government has any central sector and centrally sponsored schemes for the welfare of fishermen and coastal community, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  undertaking  any  research  onto  development  of  monoculture, polyculture and integrated multi  -trophic aquaculture in the country, if so,  the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government plans to increase the inland fishery output and coastal output of the country, if so, the details thereof including export promotional schemes by the Government, if any?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) and (b): Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed breeding and seed production technology of Grey Mullet (Madavai)  under  controlled  conditions. Grey  Mullet  is  a  high-valued  brackishwater  fish  and unavailability  of  sufficient  seed  was  a  hindrance  for  its  culture.   Mass-scale  seed  production  benefits fish farmers for commercial farming of Grey Mullet in the coastal area.

(c):  Yes, sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) - to bring about  Blue  Revolution  through  sustainable  and  responsible  development  of  fisheries  sector  in  India' with highest ever 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  as  a  part  of  Aatma  Nirbhar  Bharat  Package  and  welfare  of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers at the core of this scheme.

The welfare  related  activities  supported  under  the  PMMSY  primarily  include  (i)  insurance  cover  for fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors, (ii) livelihood support and nutritional support for socio-economically  backward  active  traditional  fishers  during  fishing  ban/lean  period,  (iii)  supply  of boats and nets to traditional fishermen, (iv) supply of safety kits for traditional and motorized fishing vessels,  (v)  supply  of  communications  and  Potential  Fishing  Zones  devices  for  traditional  motorized boats, (vi) support for acquisition of technologically advanced fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, (vii)  Up-gradation  of  existing  fishing  vessels,  (viii)  Open  sea  cage  culture,  ornamental  fisheries, seaweed  cultivation  for  creating  alternative  employment  opportunities  to  coastal  communities,  (ix) development  of  integrated  modern  fishing  villages,  (x)  development  of  fishing  harbours,  landing centres, cold chain facilities, transport vehicles, marketing etc.

(d): Fisheries Research Institutes under ICAR have been undertaking research on several aspects such as  monoculture,  polyculture  and  integrated  multi-tropic  aquaculture.  The  institutes  have  developed monoculture of high-valued fishes such seabass, Cobia, Indian pompano, Silver Pampano, Grouper, etc. in cage culture while milkfish, grey mullet and shrimp species are used in polyculture in brackishwater. Further, Integrated Multi-Tropic Aquaculture (IMTA) system of cage culture of fin fishes with seaweed farming in coastal waters has been developed and demonstrated with higher crop yield and water quality improvement.

(e): Yes, Sir. PMMSY implemented by the Department of Fisheries inter-alia targets enhancement of fish production  and  export earnings. The  activities relating to expansion  of aquaculture  area, intensification, diversification, supply  of quality inputs,  promoting  technology  infusion,  disease management,  training  and  skill  development  are  supported  under  PMMSY  to  augment  the  fish production. Besides, PMMSY also focus on value addition, branding, leveling, traceability, organic fish farming and support for post harvest management are supported for enhancing export earnings.

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