Lok Sabha Question No. 4178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Traditional Fishing Community in Kerala
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4178 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## Traditional Fishing Community in Kerala

## 4178.  Shri Shafi Parambil:

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

- (a) the details of traditional fishermen registered in the State of Kerala, district-wise;
- (b)  the  total  fund  allotted  to  the  State  for  the  welfare  of  the  traditional  fishing community; and
- (c) whether the Union Government has initiated any special programmes for the livelihood and income security of the traditional fishing community and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a):        The Government of Kerala has informed that, as per the list of 2024, a total of 2,26,093 traditional fishermen have been registered under the Kerala Fishermen's Welfare Fund Board. The district-wise details are Annexed .
- (b)  &(c):  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  (DoF,  GoI)  has launched various schemes/programmes for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture  including  welfare  of  fishermen  community  in  the  country  including Kerala. The major schemes include Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16 to 2019-20), extending  Kisan  Credit  Card  (KCC)  to  fisheries  (since  2018-19),  Fisheries  and Aquaculture  Infrastructure  Development  Fund  (FIDF)  (2018-19  to  2025-26), 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY)' (2020-21 to 2024-25), and a new Central Sector Sub-scheme viz. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi SahYojana (PM-MKSSY) (2023-24 to 2026-27). Enhancing fish production, ensuring sustainability of resources, strengthening of value chain, employment generation, safety & security of fishers and socio-economic wellbeing of fishers and fish farmers have been the core of these initiatives.

The PMMSY implemented by the DoF, GoI inter-alia supports various activities towards strengthening of livelihood and income security of the traditional fishers including livelihood support to fishers during fish ban period, support for boats and nets to traditional fishers, providing communication/tracking devices & safety kits towards safety of fishers at sea, support for potential fishing zone (PFZ) devices, group  accidental  insurance  coverage  to  active  fishers,  additional  and  alternate livelihood activities like mariculture including seaweed cultivation, bivalve cultivation, open sea cage culture, ornamental fisheries, fish markets & kiosks, cold chain facilities, live fish vending centres, need based training and skill development programmes etc.

During  last  five  years  (2020-21  to  2024-25)  under  PMMSY,  total  fund  of ₹1347.55 crore has been approved by DoF, GoI to the State Government of Kerala towards implementation of various fisheries projects. The activities approved interalia include livelihood strengthening activities for traditional fishing communities like Livelihood Support to fishers during Fishing Ban Period (1,71,033 Nos), Replacement  of  Boats  and  Nets  to  traditional  fishermen  (200  units),  alternate livelihood activities like bivalve cultivation (1140 units), retail markets & kiosk (95 units), Ornamental fish rearing and breeding (822 units), ice plants/cold storages(16 units), post-harvest transportation units (468 units),  live fish vending centres (77 units), development of Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages (9 Nos), development of Climate Resilient Villages (6 Nos), Extension and Support Services under Matsya Seva Kendras (MSK) (10 units) and Sagar Mitras (222 Nos). In addition, 10,291 Nos of KCC cards has been sanctioned to Kerala in fisheries to meet their short term credit requirement.

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Statement referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Question No. 4178 put in by Shri Shafi Parambil, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha for answer on 19 th  August, 2025 regarding Traditional Fishing Community in Kerala.

| Sl. No.   | District           | Marine Fishermen Registered   |
|-----------|--------------------|-------------------------------|
| 1.        | Thiruvananthapuram | 56,303                        |
| 2.        | Kollam             | 27,085                        |
| 3.        | Alappuzha          | 37,225                        |
| 4.        | Kottayam           | 4,812                         |
| 5.        | Pathanamthitta     | 219                           |
| 6.        | Idukki             | 329                           |
| 7.        | Ernakulam          | 22,810                        |
| 8.        | Thrissur           | 7,466                         |
| 9.        | Palakkad           | 604                           |
| 10.       | Malappuram         | 31,510                        |
| 11.       | Kozhikode          | 20,703                        |
| 12.       | Wayanad            | 35                            |
| 13.       | Kannur             | 6,467                         |
| 14.       | Kasaragod          | 11,155                        |
| Total     |                    | 2,26,093                      |

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