Lok Sabha Question No. 2945 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Traditional Fisherfolk
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2945 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th  MARCH, 2025

## Traditional Fisherfolk

## 2945. Shri N K Premachandran:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to restrict the traditional fisherfolk from fishing, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if not, the action taken to promote traditional fisherfolk and amenities provided to them for ensuring their livelihood;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to impose license fee for fishing, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of action taken by the Government to exempt the traditional fisherfolk from remitting fee for fishing;
- (e) whether the Government  proposes to  impose the fee for deep sea fishing, if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether the traditional fisherfolk is permissible for deep sea fishing without licence fee, if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether the Government proposes to conduct discussion with stakeholders prior to impose tax/fee for fishing and if so, the details of action taken there?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a): 'Fisheries' is a state subject. While the governance of fisheries upto 12 nautical miles in the territorial waters falls under the domain of the State Governments vide Entry 21 List 2 of the  Seventh Schedule, whereas governance of fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond falls under the domain of the Union Government vide Entry 57 List 1 of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The Government of India has not proposed any restriction on fishing by traditional fishers in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India.

(b):  The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) is taking various steps under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) towards providing financial assistance to fishers, which includes livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward fishers, and also Group Accident Insurance Scheme coverage for fishers. Under the PMMSY, financial assistance is also provided to traditional fishers for acquisition of deepsea  fishing vessels, upgradation  of  existing  fishing  vessels  for  export  competence, procurement of boats and nets by traditional fishers for better  catch,  communication  and tracking devices and safety kits to ensure safety of fishermen at sea. To improve the value realization to fishers, financial support is provided under PMMSY for development of postharvest and cold chain facilities, fish transport, fisheries infrastructures like fish market, value added enterprise units and such other activities.

(c): No, sir. Department of Fisheries, Government of India has not proposed to impose license fee for fishing in EEZ of India.

(d): Does not arise.

(e) & (f): No, sir. There is no proposal to impose any licence fee for deep sea fishing in the EEZ of India.

- (g): Does not arise.

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