Lok Sabha Question No. 4089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Aquaculture Development 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. 4089 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2026

## Aquaculture Development in Maharashtra

## 4089. Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde:

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

- (a)  the  present  status  of  aquaculture  development  in  Maharashtra,  including  area  under  cultivation, production levels and species-wise breakup;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to promote sustainable inland and coastal aquaculture in the State during the last five years; and
- (c) the constraints affecting the expansion of aquaculture in Maharashtra and the measures proposed to address them?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) & (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  fisheries  sector, including sustainable development of aquaculture in all States/UTs including Maharashtra. Under the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented by the Department, during the last five years and the current year fisheries developmental projects amounting to Rs. 1626.99 crore has been approved to Maharashtra. The approval also included various aquaculture development activities  like  establishment  of  fish  brood  banks  (10  units), fish/prawn  hatcheries  (32  units),  inland aquaculture (282.29 ha), biofloc fish culture (182 ha), cages in reservoirs (17,463 Nos), Re-circulatory Aquaculture  Systems  (RAS)  (541  Nos),  biofloc  tanks(152  units),  sea  cages  (110 Nos)  and  rafts  for seaweed  cultivation  (1000  Nos).  The  Government  of  Maharashtra  has  accorded  approval  to  the Mariculture Policy in 2023. These activities are aimed at sustainable enhancement of fish production in Maharashtra through aquaculture.

The Government of Maharashtra has informed that area of 462.46 ha under pond culture for inland aquaculture, about 1491.73 ha area under coastal aquaculture, 0.9178 ha under seaweed cultivation and 0.12 ha area under sea cage culture is under aquaculture development. Government of Maharashtra has reported production of 2.70 lakh tonnes under aquaculture with major species namely carps & catfishes (2,69,000 tonnes), P. monodon (278 tonnes) and L. vannamei (1340 tonnes).

- (c):  Over  the  years  aquaculture  has  steadily  developed  in  Maharashtra  with  coordinated  efforts  and initiatives taken up by Central and State Government. However, major constraints effecting expansion include availability of quality brood stock, quality seeds for farming, leasing policies, cost involved in terms of electricity, need for species diversification, cold chain facilities, training & skill developments etc. Under the PMMSY implemented by the DoF, GoI, measures have been taken for supply of quality brood and seeds through establishment of brood banks, hatcheries. Cold chain infrastructures like ice plant/cold storages,  State  of  art  fish  markets,  fish  kiosks,  fish  transportation  facilities  are  also  approved  for enhancing the shelf life and quality. In addition, need based training and outreach activities are also taken up through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).

Government of Maharashtra has informed that agriculture equivalent status has been granted to fisheries sector in the State vide Government Resolution dated 09.05.2025 towards concessional electricity tariff and other provisions for development of fisheries. It is also informed that a State level scheme 'Chief Minister Matsya Sampada Yojana' has been also announced for holistic development of fisheries along with developments carried out under the Central schemes.

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