Lok Sabha Question No. 304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Fisheries Infrastructure under PMMSY in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 304 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 nd  JULY, 2025

## Fisheries Infrastructure under PMMSY in Tamil Nadu

## 304.  Shri Sasikanth Senthil:

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

- (a) whether the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) includes components aimed  at  developing  climate  resilient  fisheries  infrastructure  in  Tamil  Nadu's  coastal districts, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  implementation  of  PMMSY  projects  in  the  State  has  aligned  with  the objectives of State Action Plan on Climate Change;
- (c)  whether any scientific assessments or studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of climate change on fish catch and marine biodiversity in the State, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions and if so, the key findings;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to address marine and industrial pollution in ecologically sensitive zones such as Ennore Creek and Pulicat Lagoon in the State, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the specific measures undertaken by the Government to mitigate the effects of thermal discharge, effluent flow and port related activities on the fisheries ecosystem along the Ennore Coast ?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  Yes,  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana  (PMMSY)  implemented  by  the Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  (DoF,  GoI)  includes  a  component 'Development of 100 Coastal Fishermen Villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV)'. This is aimed at developing the existing 100 fishermen villages situated close to the coastline in various States and Union Territories (UTs), including that in Tamil Nadu's coastal districts, into Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages, and to transform them  to  economically  vibrant  fishermen  villages.  The  guidelines  of  PMMSY  for  the component  of  CRCFV  has  listed  a  basket  of  activities  that  includes  infrastructure components and economic activities that aid enhancing the resilience of the villages to climate change impacts.

Sixteen coastal fishing villages in the Tamil Nadu have been selected for development as CRCFV. The Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that activities spread across the infrastructure and economic components have been proposed in these villages. The details of the activities approved for the selected 16 villages are provided in the Annexure I.

(b): The Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that the PMMSY projects implemented in Tamil Nadu is in alignment with the state's objectives and action plan on climate change, particularly through its focus on climate-resilient fisheries and sustainable practices. The PMMSY incorporates  initiatives  like  seaweed  cultivation,  artificial  reefs,  and  promoting climate-resilient coastal fishing villages, which directly address climate change impacts on the fisheries sector.

(c):  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  informed  that  Tamil  Nadu harvested 6.79 lakh tonnes of fish in 2024, a 20% increase from 2023, ranking second among maritime states. Lesser sardines dominated the landings (76.98%), followed by crabs  (39.72%),  cephalopods  (38.62%), Odonus  niger (38.4%)  and  Indian  Mackerel (35.4%). Among the 14 maritime districts of Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari recorded the highest landings of 1,57, 280 t (23.2%), followed by Tuticorin at 1,13,356 t (16.7%), Chennai with a landing of 91,927 t (13.5%) and Ramanathapuram 87,140 t (12.8%). The percentage contribution of Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Villupuram, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts were 9.9, 7.3, 5.7, 3.9 and 3.7% respectively to the total catch of Tamil Nadu. studies clearly indicated that there are inter annual fluctuations in landing of marine fishery

Further, studies on fish stocks revealed that the stocks are in good health and 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks evaluated in different regions during 2022 were found sustainable. The resources due to changes in the climate and environmental variables.

(d)  and  (e):  The  DoF,  GoI  through  its  institutes  and  other  organizations  conducts awareness  programmes  for  the  local  fishers  and  residents  to  enhance  the  awareness regarding impact of marine pollution to livelihood and human health. The fishers are also being  sensitized  through  State  Fisheries  Departments  and Sagar  Mitras to  adopt sustainable  fishing  practices  and  to  reduce  micro-plastic  litter  generated  from  fishing equipment.  Beyond  the  domestic  initiatives,  Government  of  India  through  DoF,  GoI  is collaborating in a global initiative with IMO (International Maritime Organization)- FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) to prevent or reduce marine litter in the region.

*****

Infrastructure  components  and  Economic  activities  under  the  component  of developing climate-resilient fisheries under PMMSY, as mentioned in Part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 304 to be answered on 22 nd  July, 2025 are as mentioned below:

| INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENTS                                    | INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENTS                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Category                                                     | Description                                                                                  |
| Multipurpose Halls & Training Centres                        | Capacity building, emergency coordination, and community events                              |
| Net Mending Sheds                                            | Sheltered space for gear maintenance, ensuring continuity post-disaster                      |
| Fish Drying Platforms & Storage                              | Solar-based drying & weather-resistant storage to preserve product quality                   |
| Auction hall & Market Facilities                             | Efficient and climate-safe fish marketing and trade operations                               |
| Artificial Reefs & Marine Ecosystem Support                  | Boosts biodiversity and improves fish stock resilience                                       |
| Fish Preprocessing hall& Infrastructure                      | Maintains freshness, reduces post-harvest loss                                               |
| Cooperative credit society                                   | Provide credit and support to their members (mostly small-scale fishers/farmers)             |
| ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES                                          | ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES                                                                          |
| Green Fuel & Energy Efficient Engines                        | Reduces diesel use and carbon emissions                                                      |
| Marine Aquaculture & Livelihood Diversification              | Promotes alternative, climate-resilient incomes                                              |
| Fish value added products Development unit                   | Increases income resilience during lean fishing seasons caused by ocean warming or cyclones. |
| Safety & Risk Reduction Equipment- Life buoy and life jacket | Enhances fisher safety during cyclones and sea hazards                                       |
| Value addition by integrated project for fish processing.    | Improves quality, shelf-life, and marketability of fish products                             |
| Biofertilization production unit                             | Converts waste into income, reduces environmental impact                                     |
| Mobile fish food restaurant                                  | Promotes retail sales and value-added fish product access                                    |
| Marine spare parts shop                                      | Ensures operational continuity and reliability                                               |

****