Lok Sabha Question No. 1433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Impact of Deep  Sea Fishing Vessels on Traditional Fishermen
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1433 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## Impact of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels on Traditional Fishermen

## 1433. Shri Hibi Eden:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the recent permission granted by the Ministry of External Affairs allowing vessels to fish in deep sea and coastal waters has caused serious concern among traditional fishermen in Kerala, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  ensures  that  only  genuine fishermen cooperatives and not large private companies or individuals, benefit from the permission granted for fishing activities in these waters and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Government will review or withdraw the said permission in view of the widespread  apprehension  that  it  will  lead  to  monopolisation  of  coastal  fishing  and adversely affect the livelihood of traditional fishermen, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, on 04 th  November, 2025, has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. These rules are applicable to the EEZ area beyond the territorial waters. This landmark initiative aims to empower traditional and small-scale  fishermen,  Fisheries  Cooperative  Societies,  and  Fish  Farmer  Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to expand their fishing operations, harness  untapped fishery resources in the deep-sea areas, and access new income streams through processing and exports, thereby enhancing livelihoods.

The Rules are framed after extensive stakeholder consultations. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has conducted a series of meetings from February to September 2025 with various stakeholders, including the relevant Central Government Ministries/Departments, coastal security agencies, coastal States/UTs, research institutes,  fishermen  associations,  cooperatives,  etc.  Besides,  draft  Rules  was  also placed  in  the  public  domain  for  a  period  of  one  month,  inviting  suggestions  and comments from the general public and stakeholders. The period of public consultation was even extended by another 15 days, as requested by some States/UTs and other stakeholders. The Draft Rules were subsequently updated based on the relevant inputs received through stakeholder consultations. Further, the Fishery Survey of India and the National Fisheries Development Board, along with the Department of Fisheries of the concerned coastal States/UTs, are sensitizing fishers about the provisions of the EEZ Rules to dispel any apprehensions or misinformation.

The  Department  of  Fisheries  (DoF,  GoI),  by  adopting  the  'whole  of  Government approach', is collaborating with the Ministry of Cooperation through a Joint Working Group (JWG), to promote small-scale fishermen, fishers' cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer  Organizations  (FFPOs)  in  the  areas  of  deep-sea  fishing,  post-harvest handling, processing, and exports. The Ministry of Cooperation supports this initiative by strengthening cooperative institutions and facilitating access to cooperative credit through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). As an example, in  Maharashtra,  14  deep-sea  fishing  vessels  (DSFVs)  have  been  supported  by  the NCDC, with a total project cost of ₹20.30 crore, including NCDC loan assistance of ₹11.55 crore, PMMSY assistance of ₹6.72 crore, and society contribution of ₹2.03 crore. Adopting this model, two societies of fishermen of Mumbai city have recently received 02  DSFVs  under  PMMSY  on  27.10.2025.  This  initiative  exemplifies  cooperative-led development in the fisheries sector, empowering our fishermen to venture into deeper waters  and  harness  untapped  resources  in  a  sustainable,  economically  rewarding manner.  The  mechanism  further  strengthens  Government  efforts  to  provide  credit support, modern technology, training, and insurance to enable small-scale fishermen and their cooperatives to acquire and operate modern DSFVs effectively.

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