Lok Sabha Question No. 3543 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Challenges faced by Inland Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3543

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## Challenges faced by Inland Fishermen

## 3543.   Shri Kodikunnil Suresh:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  challenges  faced  by  inland  fishermen, especially  in  Kerala,  where  river-based  and  inland fishing  activities  are  vital  for  local livelihoods;

(b) whether steps are being taken by the Government to improve the socio-economic conditions of inland fishermen, particularly in terms of financial support, skill development, and access to modern fishing technology;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  specific  schemes  or  initiatives  to  ensure  the sustainability of inland fisheries and protect the ecosystems on which these communities depend;

(d) the details of any financial assistance provided to inland fishermen in the last five years and its impact on their livelihoods;

(e) whether the Government has any plans to address the issues of declining fish stocks, pollution and illegal fishing in inland water bodies, which directly affect inland fishermen; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  The Government of Kerala has informed that challenges such as natural disasters, sudden climatic variations, habitat destruction and anthropogenic factors like pollution, overfishing, illegal fishing practices etc. are faced by inland fishermen in Kerala, which have been addressed with implementation of Kerala Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Act,  stock  enhancement  programs  and  conservation  and  management  measures  to ensure  sustainability  of  fish  resources.  It  has  also  been  reported  that  as  a  result  of various measures taken, the fish production from inland fisheries in Kerala has increased from 1.89 lakh mt in 2017-18 to 2.51 lakh mt in 2023-24.

(b)  to  (d):  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  (DoF,  GoI)  through  its schemes has been taking several initiates towards holistic development of both marine and  inland  fisheries  sector  and  to  improve  the  socio-economic  conditions  of  the fishermen.

Enhancing  fish  production,  strengthening  of  value  chain,  employment  generation, ensuring safety & security of fisheries and ensuring sustainability of the resources have been  the  core  of  these  initiatives.  The  DoF,  GoI  is  implementing  flagship  scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY) for holistic development of fisheries sector for implementation in all the States and Union Territories of India including Kerala for a period of 5(five) years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. During last four years (202021 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25) under PMMSY, the DoF, GoI has accorded approvals to the fisheries developmental proposals of Government of Kerala amounting to Rs.1181.10 crore.

The approved activities inter  alia included  inland  fisheries  development  activities  like assistance towards construction of freshwater finfish hatcheries, new rearing & grow-out ponds  for  fish  culture,  ornamental  fish  rearing  and  breeding  units,  cage  culture  in reservoirs,  high-tech  culture  systems  like  Re-circulatory  Aquaculture  System,  Biofloc culture units, pen culture units, integrated development of reservoirs, boats and nets to traditional fishermen, extension and support services under 'Matsya Seva Kendras'. In addition  conservation  activities  like  ranching  for  replenishing  of  fish  stocks,  welfare activities like livelihood support to fishers during fish ban period, insurance coverage to fishers, programmes towards training and capacity building are also provided.

The PMMSY implemented by the DoF, GoI inter-alia aims  at  harnessing  of  fisheries potential including inland fisheries in a sustainable manner, enhancing fish production and  productivity through  expansion,  intensification, diversification  and  productive utilization  of  land  and  water,  strengthening  of  value  chain,  doubling  fishers  and  fish farmers incomes and generation of employment and also ensuring social & economic security for fishers and fish farmers. During the last four years and current financial year, projects worth of Rs. 4582.28 crore have been approved under PMMSY towards inland fisheries in all States/UTs.

In addition, in order to strengthen the institutional credit in fisheries, Kisan Credit Card has been extended to fishers and fish farmers including inland sector to help them meet their working capital requirement. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund has been created enabling concessional financing in fisheries. Due to strategic initiatives of the Union and State Governments, over the last decade, total fish production of the country from inland aquaculture has doubled from 61.36 lakh tons at the end of 2013-14 to 131.13 lakh tons (in 2022-23). These initiatives have also ensured stable income growth to fishermen in the State and overall development of the sector.

(e)  &  (f)  To  ensure  sustainability  of  fish  stocks  and mitigate pollution  in  waterbodies, awareness  programs  are  been  taken  up  by  the  State  Governments/UTs  on  fish conservation during ban period, best management practices ensuring sustainability of the fish stock. In addition, monitoring of illegal fishing activities, establishment of fish protected area, restoration of damaged aquatic ecosystems are also carried out by the State Governments/UTs under their respective Inland Fisheries Acts. Further, Government of India and local administrations are implementing various flagship cleanup  programmes  in  both  marine  and  inland  waters  to  address  the  issues  related  to pollution.

*****