Lok Sabha Question No. 4052 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Declining Marine Fish Production and Aquaculture Output in Kerala
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Adv K. Francis George

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4052 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2026

## Declining Marine Fish Production and Aquaculture Output in Kerala

## 4052. Adv K. Francis George:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of declining marine fish production and increasing importance of aquaculture in Kerala;

(b) if so, the details of marine fish production and aquaculture output in Kerala during the last five years;

(c) whether any assessment has been made by the Government regarding climate-related impacts on marine fisheries and the potential of aquaculture as an alternative livelihood source and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  coastal  aquaculture,  cold  chain infrastructure, seed supply and financial assistance for small-scale farmers; and

- (e) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen market linkages, cooperative marketing and digital trading platforms for aquaculture producers?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b):  The  Government  of  Kerala  has  reported  that  although  the  total  marine  fish production  in  the  State  of  Kerala  has  exhibited  periodic  fluctuations,  the  study  report  of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) does not indicate any significant long-term decline in overall production. It is informed that the marine fish production has increased  from  4.82  lakh  tonnes  in  2015  to  6.09  lakh  tonnes  in  2018  and  after  certain variations during the intervening years the marine fish production reached 6.47 lakh tonnes during  2024-25.  The  details  of  fish  production  in  Kerala  during  the  last  five  years  is Annexed .

(c)  &  (d):  ICAR-Research institutes has been undertaking assessment of climate-related impacts on fisheries on time to time. Foreseeing the climate related impacts on fisheries including  marine  fisheries,  the  Department  of  Fisheries,  GoI  under  the  flagship  scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has taken up several initiatives towards conservation of marine fisheries, diversifying marine fisheries and encouraging aquaculture including mariculture & seaweed cultivation in all States/UTs including Kerala.

During  last  5  years  and  current  year  under  PMMSY,  Department  of  Fisheries,  GoI  has approved  fisheries  developmental  proposal  of  Government  of  Kerala  amounting  to  Rs. 1418.51 crore. The approved activities include artificial reef units (42 units) along the Kerala coast towards rejuvenation of fish stock, acquisition of deep sea fishing vessels (20 Nos) towards expanding marine fisheries to deep sea, integrated modern coastal fishing villages (9  Nos),  climate  resilient  villages  (6  Nos),  additional  livelihood  activities  like  bivalve cultivation (1140 units), ornamental fish rearing and breeding (822 units), fresh water/brackish water aquaculture (283.50 ha), cages in reservoirs sanctioned (493 Nos), integrated  development  of  Reservoirs  (7  Nos),  technology  infused  activities  like  Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) (708 Nos), Biofloc culture (780 Nos). The activities approved are aimed towards rejuvenation of fish stocks, diversifying from coastal to deep sea  fisheries,  additional/alternate  livelihood  activities  in  coastal  and  inland  aquaculture. Government  of  Kerala  has  informed  that  sea  ranching  porgramme  is  also  under implementation through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) wherein the cobia and pompano seeds are released near the artificial reefs installed.

Further towards seed supply, cold chain infrastructure under PMMSY fish brood bank (1 unit), establishment of ice plants/cold storages(16 Nos), post-harvest transportation units (468  Nos),  live  fish  vending  centres  (77  units),  value  added  enterprise  (10  units),  retail markets (5 units) and fish kiosk (90  units) are approved to Kerala. In addition, uniform fishing ban for a period of 61 days, from 15th April to 14th June on the East Coast and from 1st June  to  31st  July  on  the  West  Coast  in  the  Indian  Exclusive  Economic  Zone  (EEZ)  is implemented  for  rejuvenation  of  fish  stock.  During  the  fishing  ban  period,  financial assistance is also provided by the Government towards livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers including 1,71,033 fishers annually in Kerala.

(e)    To strengthen market linkages, cooperative marketing and digital platforms, the DoF, GoI, has supported E-platforms for e-trading and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products. Further, to provide real-time price information to fishers, fish farmers and other stake holders and to help them to negotiate better price and profitability, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has launched 'Fish Market Price Information System' (FMPIS) to capture and disseminate fish market prices of commercially important marine and inland fishes species. In addition, the Department of Fisheries, GoI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with an objective to provide a digital  platform  and  empower  all  stakeholders  including  traditional  fishermen,  fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmers Producer Organization (FFPO), entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to buy and sell their products through e-market place.

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Annexure Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) and (b) of the Lok Sabha unstarred Question No.4052 for answer on 17 th  March, 2026 put in by Adv K. Francis George, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) regarding Declining Marine Fish Production and Aquaculture Output in Kerala.

|   Sl. No. | Year    |   Inland |   Marine |   Total |
|-----------|---------|----------|----------|---------|
|         1 | 2019-20 |     2.05 |     4.75 |    6.8  |
|         2 | 2020-21 |     2.24 |     3.92 |    6.16 |
|         3 | 2021-22 |     2.25 |     6.01 |    8.26 |
|         4 | 2022-23 |     2.3  |     6.91 |    9.21 |
|         5 | 2023-24 |     2.51 |     5.81 |    8.32 |
|         6 | 2024-25 |     2.8  |     6.47 |    9.27 |

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