Lok Sabha Question No. 1296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Loss of Livelihood of Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1296 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  DECEMBER, 2024

## Loss of Livelihood of Fishermen

## 1296. Prof. Sougata Ray:

- Will  the  Minister  of  FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a)  whether lakhs of fishermen of the country are losing their livelihood due to the climate changes like temperature hike and rising of sea and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has take any steps to prevent the soil erosion among the seashores of the country and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the damages causes the natural habitats of fishermen; and (d)  if  yes,  the  details  thereof  and  steps  taken  to  ensure  the  safety  and  security  of
- fishermen?

## ANSWER

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

(a)The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has not received any report on loss of livelihood due to climate change like temperature hike and rising of the sea level. However, 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 interactions between climatic parameters and fisheries in order to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies.

(b) Construction of standalone sea wall and coastal protection works are not covered under  the  ambit  of  the  fisheries  development  schemes  implemented  by  the Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India.  However,  development  of  fishing harbours and fish landing centres is supported under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and these infrastructure facilities inter-alia supports need based waterside and landside facilities like breakwaters, training walls and groynes primarily  to  create  shelter  and  tranquil  basin  for  smooth  operations  of  fishery activities, protection of lives and assets of fishermen during the rough weather and natural calamities.

To  address  and  mitigate  soil  erosion  along  the  coastal  stretches  of  Kerala,  the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala have undertaken shore protection measures in the five districts of Kerala Namely Kasargod, Kannur, Thrissur, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram  through Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation Limited  (KSCADC)  with  total  outlay  of  Rs  106.18  crore.  The  Government  of Puducherry  have  made  Rock  revetment  arrangement  through  the  Public  works Department to prevent soil erosion of Pillaichavady coastal village.

(c) and (d): There is no data available on the damages causes due to climate change to the natural habitats of fishermen. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has earmarked funds under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for provision for safety kits such as Global Positioning System (GPS), lifejackets, lifebuoy, other life-saving appliances, a radar reflector, first-aid box, a set of flares, backup battery, search & rescue beacons etc. Funds are also earmarked under PMMSY  for  Communication  and  /or  Tracking  Devices like  Transmitters  (DATs)/ Automatic Identification System (AIS)/ Navigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC)/ Transponders  etc. for  safety  of  fishers  and  fishing  vessels. Further,  for livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fisher's families during fish ban/lean period and insurance cover to fishers are also made under the PMMSY scheme. The Government of Kerala has informed that they are  implementing  a flagship  welfare  project 'Punargaeham' for  the  rehabilitation  of highly vulnerable coastal community who are socio-economically disadvantaged and suffering their lives and livelihoods due to destruction of beachfronts.

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