Lok Sabha Question No. 2621 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Livelihood Challenges for Fishermen in Kerala
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2621 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  AUGUST, 2025

## Livelihood Challenges for Fishermen in Kerala

## 2621. Shri K Sudhakaran:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the serious livelihood challenges faced by traditional fishermen in Kerala due to declining fish catches and the proposed deep-sea sand mining projects of the Kerala coast;
- (b) the steps taken to address the concerns raised by the fishing community and the State Government  of  Kerala  regarding  the  ecological  and  economic  impact  of  such  mining activities; and
- (c)  whether  any  comprehensive  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  has  been conducted by the Government prior to approval of project and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The potential of fishery resources are estimated by committee of experts constituted by Department of Fisheries, Government of India in regular intervals to ascertain the status of fish  stocks  and  revalidation  of  the  potential  yield  of  the  fishery  resources  in  the  Indian Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ).  As  per  the  latest  report  of  the  Expert  Committee  for Revalidation of Potential Fishery Resources (2018), the marine fishery resources in the Indian EEZ are estimated at 5.31 million tones. Against this potential, the average harnessing of marine fishery resources was about 4.0 million tons during the last 5 years (2019-20 to 202324), which is below the annual potential yield of 5.31 million tons. The over-all marine fish production of India increased from 4.43 million tones in 2022-23 to 4.49 million tones in 202324. However, the marine fish production from the Kerala coast has declined from 0.69 million tones in 2022-23 to 0.58 million tones in 2023-24. The Government of India along with State Government of Kerala, has taken several steps to improving the fish stocks and enhance the marine  ecosystem  such  as  installation  of  Artificial  Reefs  and  promotion  of  sea  ranching, adoption of mariculture including seaweed cultivation etc. under the ' Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)'. Besides, in order to ensure sustainability of the fisheries, several measrures are taken that include (i) Implementation of 61 days uniform ban on fishing in the Indian EEZ, annually, (ii) Ban on destructive fishing practices in the Indian EEZ viz . paired bottom trawling or bull trawling and use of artificial and LED lights in fishing, (iii) Declaration of marine protected areas (MPAs) and protection of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species (iv) Installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, fishing gear and  mesh-size  regulations,  minimum  legal  size  (MLS)  of  fishes,  spatial  and  temporal restrictions, zonation of fishing areas by the coastal States/UTs, etc.

The  Ministry  of  Mines,  Government  of  India  enacted  the  Offshore  Areas  Mineral  and Development Act, 2002, which came into effect in 2010. The successful bidder of composite license is required to undertake exploration in the offshore area as per the Offshore Areas Existence  of  Mineral  Resources  Rules  (OAEMRR),  2024.  One  of  the  requirements  for exploration includes the requirement for preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies.  Thereafter,  grant  of  production  lease  to  Composite  License  Holder  may  be considered by the Government.

Further, as per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules,  2024,  no  production  operations  shall  be  undertaken  except  in  accordance  with  a production  plan.  The  production  plan, inter  alia ,  includes  environment  management  plan indicating baseline information, impact assessment and mitigation measures.

Ministry of Mines has informed that, in order to protect the livelihood and safeguard the interest of fisherfolks, the concerns of fishermen and local communities will be specially addressed during the preparation of the production plan and Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which every lessee is mandated under the rules to submit before commencing exploration or production operations.

Besides, Section 16A of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 provides for establishment of Offshore Areas Mineral Trust as a non-profit autonomous body. Accordingly, the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been established vide S.O. 3246(E) dated 09.08.2024.  The  coastal  States  have  been  made  members  of  the  Governing  Body  and Executive Committee of the Trust. The funds accruing to the Trust shall, inter alia , be used for research, administrative activities, studies and related expenditure with respect to offshore areas; for mitigating ecological impacts resulting from operational activities; for disaster relief in  offshore  zones;  and  for  supporting  individuals  affected  by  exploration  and  production operations.

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