Lok Sabha Question No. 355 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Growth in Fisheries Sector
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 355 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  March, 2025

## Growth in Fisheries Sector

## *355. Dr. D. Purandeswari:

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

- (a) the  details  of  factors  contributing  to  the  growth  of  India's  fisheries  sector  and  its rising contribution of approximately 8% to global fish production;
- (b)    the details of initiatives, policy interventions and technological advancements that have facilitated  this  expansion  and  improved  productivity  in  the  fisheries  industry particularly in Andhra Pradesh;
- (c)  the significance of sustainable fishing practices and marine resource management in ensuring long-term sectoral growth while maintaining ecological balance; and
- (d)    the  steps  taken  to  enhance  India's  fisheries  exports,  strengthen  its  global  market position and improve competitiveness in international trade?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a) to (d): A Statement is placed on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in reply to the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 355 regarding 'Growth in Fisheries Sector' put in by Dr. D. Purandeswari due for answer on 25 th March, 2025

(a)  and  (b)  India's  fisheries  sector  is  experiencing  significant  growth,  achieving  a  record production of 184.02 lakh tons and contributing approximately 8% to global fish production. During last 10 years, the Government of India has stepped up investments in fisheries and aquaculture sector with a cumulative investment to the tune of Rs 38,572 crore through various  programmes  and  initiatives  namely  Blue  Revolution  Scheme,  Fisheries  and Aquaculture  Infrastructure  Development  Fund  (FIDF),  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Kisan  Samridhi  Sah-Yojana  (PMMKSSY).  The  BR Scheme  with  its  multi-dimensional  activities  implemented  for  5  years  from  2015-16  to 2019-20 infused an investment of about Rs. 5000 crore into the fisheries sector. The FIDF launched  in  2018-19  with  a  fund  size  of  Rs  7,522.48  crore,  provides  concessional financing for fisheries-related projects. A total of 141 proposals, including fishing harbours, fish landing centers, and processing units, worth Rs 5,915.54 crore, have been approved under  this  scheme.  The  PMMSY,  in  operation  from  2020-2025  with  an  estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore, focuses on bridging critical gaps in production, technology, post-harvest infrastructure,  value  chain  modernization, fisheries management, and fisher welfare. To date, Rs 20,990.79 crore worth of projects have been approved, with a central share  of  Rs  8,926.29  crore.  The  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Kisan  Samridhi  Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY)  aims  to  formalize  the  fisheries  sector,  incentivize  aquaculture  insurance, improve value chains for micro and small enterprises, and ensure safe fish production, with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore. Further, since 2018-19, the government has extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers, sanctioning loan amount of Rs 2,982.58 crore through 4.63 lakh KCCs to support their working capital needs.

The  schemes  of  the  Department  have  emphasized  expansion  of  aquaculture  through adoption of advanced aquaculture technologies such as biofloc, Recirculatory Aquaculture System  (RAS),  raceways,  and  cage  culture  units.  These  interventions  have  helped improving the productivity and reducing production costs. In the marine fisheries sector, upgradation  of  fishing  vessels  for  export  competency,  introduction  of  deep  sea  fishing vessels and the establishment of smart and integrated fishing harbors have contributed to sustaining the production growth.

An investment of Rs 2887.05 crores have been made in Andhra Pradesh under the Blue Revolution and PMMSY schemes since 2015-16. Under the PMMSY, the DoF, MoFAH&D, Government of India has approved the proposals received from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for 39 activities (32 beneficiary components and 7 non-beneficiary components) at a total cost of Rs. 2398.72 crore, with a central share of Rs. 559.10 crore. Under FIDF, ten infrastructure projects worth Rs 1396.83 crore were approved for the Andhra Pradesh state.  The  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  informed  that  the  regulatory  framework brought  in  by  the  state  for  development  of  aquaculture  together  with  the  schematic interventions have helped the development of the fisheries and aquaculture in the State leading to an increase in fish production from 20.18 Lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 51.58 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.

(c) To ensure the long-term growth and ecological balance of Indian fisheries sector, the  Government of  India  has  notified  the  'National  Policy  on  Marine  Fisheries,  2017'  to guide  responsible  and  sustainable  marine  fishing  in  the  country.  The  DoF,  GoI,  in consultation  with  scientific  institutions  advises  the  coastal  States/UTs  to  take  steps  for optimizing  fishing  efforts  and  implementing  measures  to  ensure  sustainable  fisheries. Destructive practices like paired bottom trawling and LED light fishing are banned in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and a uniform 61-day seasonal fishing ban is enforced to protect breeding stocks. Juvenile fishing is also discouraged. Further, under the flagship scheme  of  the  Department  'Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY)', assistance  is  provided  for  activities  such  as  sea  ranching,  mariculture,  installation  of Artificial  Reefs  and  Seaweed  Cultivation,  etc.  for  enhancing  the  fish  stocks,  habitat restoration, promoting additional livelihood for fishers and coastal communities to alleviate fishing  pressure  in  the  inshore  areas;  and  for  overall  enhancement  of  marine  fish production in a sustainable manner. Coastal states/UTs manage territorial waters through Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs) including reserving zones for traditional fishers who  are  using  non-motorized  and  motorized  fishing  boats.  The  status  of  stocks  is periodically reviewed by the research institutes ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  (CMFRI)  and  the  Fishery  Survey  of  India  periodically.  As  per  the  latest  report, 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks in different regions are in healthy and sustainable state.

(d) The  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY),  a  flagship  scheme implemented for overall  development  of fisheries  and  aquaculture  sector  in  the  country, inter-alia envisages to enhance fisheries exports to Rs 1.0 lakh crores by 2024-25. In order to  enhance  India's  export  competitiveness  and  higher  price  realization,  the  PMMSY supports a basket of interventions/activities along the fisheries value chain including quality fish production, expansion, diversification and intensification of brackish water aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species, infusion of technology, robust disease management and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern postharvest infrastructure with seamless cold chain, development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres, etc. The seafood exports of India have more than doubled since FY 201314.  While  the  seafood  exports  stood  at  Rs  30,213  crore  in  2013-14,  the  same  has increased to Rs. 60,523.89 crore during FY 2023-24.

The Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has established the Marine Products  Export  Development  Authority  (MPEDA)  as  a  dedicated  agency  to  facilitate export  of  seafood.  The  MPEDA  promotes  Indian  fisheries  products  through  brand promotion,  exporter  enrolment,  and  importer  liaison.  It  enhances  industry  capacity  via training, awareness campaigns, workshops, and chintan shivirs . To explore new markets, MPEDA participates in international trade fairs, organizes Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs) and Reverse Buyer Seller Meets (RBSMs), and collaborates with Indian Missions abroad. To ensure  quality  meeting  international  standards,  the  Export  Inspection  Council  (EIC), Department of Commerce conducts periodic awareness and training programs for relevant stakeholders  across  the  value  chain.  The  Government  also  conducts  bilateral  meetings with  major  importers  (U.S.,  EU,  China,  Japan)  to  boost  seafood  exports.  To  strengthen India's  seafood  sector  globally,  the  government  is  facilitating  ease  of  business  by amending regulations, streamlining imports and reducing import duties on key aquafeed ingredients, aquaculture inputs, and fish processing ingredients .