Lok Sabha Question No. 322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Excessive Fishing
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 322 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND  DECEMBER, 2025

## Excessive Fishing

## 322. Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the alarming decline in sardine resources along  the  Kerala  coastline  as  reported  by  Central  Marine  Fisheries  Research  Institute (CMFRI) and other scientific institutions;
- (b) whether overfishing, juvenile harvesting, climate-induced changes in sea surface temperature and illegal ring-seine operations have contributed to the sharp reduction in stock;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to regulate excessive fishing effort, including enforcement  of  mesh-size  norms, seasonal fishing bans, vessel monitoring  and restrictions on high-powered multiday vessels operating close to shore;
- (d) whether the Government proposes a comprehensive sardine stock-rebuilding plan in collaboration with coastal States such as Kerala;
- (e) whether  financial  assistance,  alternative  livelihood  packages,  and  communitybased fisheries management systems are being provided to traditional fishermen who face severe income loss due to declining availability of sardine; and
- (f) the time by which restoring sustainable stock levels in this crucial pelagic fishery?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The Government of Kerala and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have informed that the landings of Indian Oil Sardine along the Kerala coast have shown periodic inter-annual fluctuations, with landings increasing from 3.2 lakh tonnes in 2011 to 3.99 lakh tonnes in 2012, followed by a drastic decline to 0.13 lakh tonnes in 2020. Thereafter, the stocks showed clear signs of recovery, rising to more than 0.35 lakh tonnes in 2021, 1.4 lakh tonnes in 2023, and 1.5 lakh tonnes in 2024. Scientific assessments  indicate  that  Indian  Oil  Sardine  populations  are  strongly  influenced  by monsoon-driven  rainfall  and  the  nutrient-rich  upwelling  it  generates,  which  supports phytoplankton growth and improves larval survival, growth, and recruitment. The Indian Oil Sardine fishery is known to be highly sensitive to environmental and climatic variations, and therefore shows periodic annual fluctuations in landings. As reported in the Marine Fish Stock Status Report (2023) published by ICAR-CMFRI, the oil sardine fishery in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India is currently assessed as sustainable.

(c): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has taken several initiatives to promote  sustainable  fishing.  The  DoF,  GoI  issues  advisories  to  coastal  States/Union Territories (UTs) for strict implementation of gear and mesh size regulations as provided under  their  respective Marine  Fishing  Regulation  Acts  (MFRAs),  implementation  of conservation and management measures such as uniform ban on fishing for a period of 61 days in the EEZ of India for rejuvenation of fish stock. The DoF, GoI has also prohibited the destructive fishing practices like bull or pair trawling and use of artificial lights/LED lights  for  fishing  in  the  EEZ,  and  similar  prohibitions  are  also  imposed  within  territorial waters by the coastal States/UTs. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is also implementing the Vessel Communication and Support System under the PMMSY to enhance the safety and security of fishermen at sea and strengthening of monitoring, control and surveillance measures.

The DoF, GoI has notified the 'National Policy on Marine Fisheries (NPMF), 2017' as a guiding document towards responsible and sustainable fishing across the country. Further, necessary  provisions  are  included  by  the  State  Governments  in  their  Marine  Fishing Regulation  Acts  for  installation  of  Turtle  Excluder  Devices  (TED)  for  protection  of  sea turtles. Besides, support is provided under the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for installation of artificial reefs along the coastal areas in the country,  sea-ranching  for  ensuring  sustainability,  promotion  of  deep-sea  fishing  and mariculture including seaweed cultivation to reduce fishing pressure in nearshore waters. During the fishing ban period, financial assistance is also provided by the Government towards livelihood and nutritional support to the traditional fishers.

(d): The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  has  not  received  any  such proposal on sardine stock-rebuilding plan from coastal States including Kerala.

(e): The  Department  of  Fisheries, GoI through its schemes  provides  financial assistance towards holistic development of the fisheries sector and wellbeing of fishers to all States/UTs including Kerala. Under the PMMSY implemented by the DoF, GoI, during last  5  years,  the  Department  has  approved  fisheries  developmental  proposals  of Government of Kerala amounting to Rs. 1410.40 crore. The approved activities inter-alia include various fisheries related activities towards livelihood strengthening and creation of alternate  employment such as (i) mariculture, seaweed farming,  bivalve cultivation, (ii) establishment  of  climate  resilient  villages,  (iii)  modern  integrated  coastal  villages,  (iv) support during fishing ban, (v) installation of artificial reefs for rejuvenation of stocks, (vi) need  based  training  facilities,  (vii)  deep-sea  fishing  vessels,  (viii)  safety  kits  and communication  devices  etc.  Besides,  the  State  Government  is  also  supporting  the traditional fishermen effected by weather and fishing bans  through additional schemes implemented at state level. These interventions are envisaged to uphold the livelihood of fishers and ensure sustainable fisheries management.

(f): Does not arise.

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