Lok Sabha Question No. 2841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## 2841. Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

- (a) whether  the  collaboration  of  the  Central  Marine  Fisheries  Research  Institute  with  the  State Fisheries Department in Kerala will create sustainable and alternative income opportunities for coastal communities by boosting coastal aquaculture and related marine projects, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  coastal  communities  and  fishermen  expected  to  directly  benefit  from  these initiatives;
- (c) the details of the projected percentage increase in income or employment opportunities in these communities;
- (d) the details of scope and scale of planned skill development programs participants and duration for marine aquaculture; and
- (e) the details and number of designs to enhance local capacity in marine aquaculture?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Government of Kerala informed that the collaboration between the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the State Fisheries Department of Kerala is expected to create  sustainable  and  alternative  income  opportunities  for  coastal  communities  by  enhancing coastal  aquaculture  and  other  marine  conservation  and  management  related  projects.  The collaboration can enable the State for undertaking mariculture activities along the coast of Kerala, especially  studying  the  feasibility  for  undertaking  open-sea  cage  farming  by  obtaining  technical advice and also quality seeds of cultivable high-value fish species such as cobia and pompano, thereby opening up avenues for alternate income source to fishermen groups.

The assistance of CMFRI is also sought by the state in preparing the marine spatial planning and exploring the possibilities for undertaking farming of oysters and seaweed to diversify income sources for fishermen besides providing continuous scientific and technical assistance to fish farmers. The technical expertise of CMFRI is also being availed for installation of artificial reefs off the coastal fishing villages under PMMSY scheme which ensures habitat rejuvenation and sustainable livelihood to  the  traditional  fishermen.  Service  of  CMFRI  is  also  sought  for  provision  of  quality  seeds  of Pompano and cobia for undertaking sea ranching programmes and also for Open Sea cage farming. The technical expertise of seed production of CMFRI is also made use by State for setting up marine finfish hatcheries in the State.

The collaboration of CMFRI is also desired by Department in statistical data analysis of the marine fish  production  in  Kerala  and  also  the  technical  advice  is  for  continuing  the  regulations  such  as Minimum Legal Size of commercially important fishes besides other aspects of conservation and management measures for ensuring sustainability of marine fishery resources. CMFRI also provides training programmes  for fishermen and entrepreneurs in modern  aquaculture techniques, encouraging  breeding  and  trade  of  ornamental  fish.  Further,  the  ICAR-Central  Marine  Fisheries Research  Institute,  Kochi  reported  ICAR-CMFRI  conducts  regularly  short-term  skill  development programmes/  trainings  on  various  mariculture  technologies  for  the  benefit  of  famers,  youth  and entrepreneurs.

In addition, under the flagship scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY) during last four years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25) the Department of Fisheries, GoI has accorded approval to the fisheries developmental proposals of Government of Kerala worth Rs.1358.10 Crore with central share of Rs. 574.90 Crore. Central funds of Rs.344.15 Crore has been also released to Kerala during this period.

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2841

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute