Lok Sabha Question No. 1700 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Fisheries and Aquaculture in Maharashtra
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1700 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## Fisheries and Aquaculture in Maharashtra

## 1700. Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde:

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

- (a) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  sustainable  fisheries  and aquaculture  in  Maharashtra,  particularly  in  Solapur  and  adjoining  districts,  including support given by the Government to inland fisheries;
- (b) the financial assistance, subsidies, and capacity-building programmes provided by the Government to fish farmers and fisherfolk in the State during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  challenges  faced  by  inland  and reservoir based fisheries, such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure and lack of market access; and
- (d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance fish production, improve value chains, ensure livelihoods for fisherfolk, and  promote  exports from the inland fisheries sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) and (b): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) through its schemes,  policies  and  programs  has  been  taking  several  initiatives  towards  holistic development of both marine and inland fisheries in all States/UTs including Maharashtra. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY), during last 3 years and current year Department has approved fisheries development projects of Government of Maharashtra amounting to Rs. 981.72 Crore. The approved activities include financial assistance  towards  establishment  of  fish  brood  banks,  fish/prawn  hatcheries  towards quality  seed,  technology  infused  activities  like  cages  in  reservoirs,  Re-circulatory Aquaculture  Systems  (RAS),  biofloc  units,  deep  sea  fishing  vessels,  up  gradation  of existing fishing vessels for export competency, Integrated Modern Fish Landing Centres, State of art whole sale fish markets, ice plant/cold storages, fish transportation facilities etc. In addition, ornamental fish rearing units, seaweed cultivation, recreational fisheries units,  fish  kiosks,  fish  value  added  enterprise  towards  alternate  livelihood,  livelihood support during fish ban period and installation of artificial reefs along the coast towards sustainable management of resources are also approved.

Under the PMMSY, the beneficiaries are identified by the respective State Governments/UTs.  Government  of  Maharashtra  has  informed  that  fisheries  and aquaculture  is  being  developed  under  the  PMMSY  and  state  level  district  planning schemes. The main activities include enhancing fish production, infrastructure development, livelihood support to fishers, stocking of fish fingerlings, capacity building programmes etc. Government of Maharashtra has informed that under PMMSY, 1,138 projects  have  been  sanctioned  in  Solapur,  Pune,  Satara,  Sangli,  Dharashiv  and Ahilyanagar districts, with a total project cost of Rs.207.72 crore. In addition, under the District  Planning Schemes, financial assistance amounting to Rs.8.99 crore has been sanctioned  to  8,139  beneficiaries  in  Solapur  and  adjoining  districts.  575  Kisan  Credit Cards have been issued in Solapur and adjoining districts for meeting the short term credit requirement.

The  Department  of  Fisheries, GoI  also provides need  based  capacity building programmes through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) based on proposals submitted by the States/UTs. Government of Maharashtra has informed that 11 training programmes under the Capacity Building Programme were conducted during the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26, benefiting 1,367 participants in various fisheries-related skills.

(c) and (d): The  Department  of  Fisheries, Government  of  India  works  in close coordination with the respective State Governments/UTs towards addressing the ground level challenges in fisheries including inland and reservoir fisheries. Under the PMMSY, interventions like ranching, stocking of fingerlings in reservoirs, integrated development of  reservoirs  are  taken  up  towards  reservoir  fisheries  development.  In  addition,  need based  interventions towards strengthening inland fisheries like establishment of hatcheries for  quality  seed,  feed  mills,  establishment  of  fish  markets,  fish  kiosks,  fish vending  centres,  transportation  facilities,  promoting  species  diversification,  productive utilization of land and water, use of technology infused culture practices are taken up thereby enhancing production, productivity, promoting exports and doubling fishers and fish farmers incomes.

Government  of  Maharashtra  has  informed  that  requisite  policy  guidelines  have  been issued  to  ensure  optimal  fish  stocking  and  sustainable  exploitation  of  inland  waters. Further,  ICAR  institutes  are  supporting  these  efforts  through  research  on  species diversification,  fish  health  management,  genetic  improvement,  responsible  fishing practices, processing and value addition, along with outreach and extension programmes to strengthen livelihoods and market integration of inland fisheries.

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