Lok Sabha Question No. 3587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Climate Change on the Livelihood of Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3587 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th   DECEMBER, 2024

## Climate Change and Livelihood of Fishermen

## 3587. Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  conduct  a  quantitative  survey  on  the adverse effects of climate change on the livelihood of the fishermen and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  increase  the  fuel  subsidies  for  the fishermen;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  starting  schemes  to  increase  coastal aquaculture by supporting fishermen communities with capital and technical knowhow, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a):   The fisheries research institutes under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Government of India have been conducting research regularly for understanding  the  impacts  of  climate  change  in  order  to  develop  climate  resilient strategies for sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture. The studies on the impact of climate change undertaken by ICAR institutes under "National Innovation in Climate Resilient  Agriculture  (NICRA)"  include  vulnerability  assessment  of  the  wetland fisheries in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Kerala; climate trend analysis for major river basins across India; Impact on fish distributional range, catch composition and yield etc. In marine fisheries, studies on climate change modeling, projection on fish  catch  &  mariculture  production  under  climate  change  scenarios,  risk  and vulnerability assessment of marine fisheries, wetland mapping, carbon footprint, blue carbon  potential,  ocean  acidification,  response  of  capture  and  culture  species  to climate change and adaptive management in response to climate change are carried out under the NICRA Project. Climate campaigns and awareness programmes are also conducted in the states like Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala in order to increase preparedness and adaptive capacity of fishers against climate change.

In addition, Union territory of Ladakh informed that they have signed an MOU with the Directorate  of  Cold-Water  Fisheries  Research  (DCFR)  regarding  the  conduct  of quantitative survey on the adverse effect of the climate change on the livelihood of the fisherman of UT Ladakh.

(b) and (c): Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has reported that the prices of diesel in the country are market-determined with effect from 19.10.2014. Since then, the  public  sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  take  appropriate  decision  on pricing  of  diesel.  Simultaneously,  different  mechanisms  of  providing  subsidy/  Tax exemptions or reimbursements to control the diesel prices for fishing  communities exists in different coastal States/UTs. Further, it is also reported that effective from 1 st March, 2020, the retail selling price of PDS Kerosene is being maintained at nil underrecovery level on pan India basis.

(d):    Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  has  identified  100  coastal  fishermen  villages situated  close  to  the  coastline  as  Climate  Resilient  Coastal  Fishermen  Villages (CRCFV) to enhance the economic resilience of coastal communities impacted by climate change. The program promotes climate-resilient fisheries through initiatives such as seaweed cultivation, artificial reefs, sea ranching and the promotion of green fuel.  Safety  and  security  measures  for  fishermen  and  fishing  vessels,  economic activities like ornamental fisheries, and support programs like insurance, livelihood and nutritional support, Kisan Credit Cards, and training also supported. The activities in the identified coastal fishermen villages are need-based facilities, including common facilities like fish drying yards, fish processing centers, fish markets, fishing jetties, ice plants,  cold  storages  and  emergency  rescue  facilities.  In  addition,  ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been contributing to enhance marine aquaculture  (mariculture)  through  ongoing  research,  technology  development,  and capacity-building initiatives in marine aquaculture (Mariculture) funded/ supported by the Government of India.

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