Lok Sabha Question No. 4093 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Small Scale Fishers under PMMSY
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4093 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2026

## Small Scale Fishers under PMMSY

## 4093. Shri Rahul Kaswan:

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

- (a) the extent of overfishing and resource depletion in India's coastal States including Tamil  Nadu,  Andhra  Pradesh,  West  Bengal  and  Odisha,  where  around  30%  of marine fish  stocks  are  reported  as  overexploited,  impacting  fish  populations  and fisher livelihoods;
- (b) whether concrete steps taken by the Government to ensure sustainable fisheries management and prevent further resource depletion across these coastal regions;
- (c) if so, the reasons for limited access and inclusion of small-scale fishers under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY),  especially relating to connectivity, outreach and institutional support thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Government to improve fish storage and transport infrastructure  to  reduce  post-harvest  losses  and  increase  fisher  incomes  across affected states thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b) As per the scientific report published by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in 2022, about 91.1% of India's Marine Fish Stocks are in a healthy condition. While studies indicate interannual fluctuations due to climate and environmental variables, marine fish production has remained stable over the past five years, increased from 34.76 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 to 46.15 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with no evidence of decline in marine fish stocks in India's coastal states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha.

To ensure sustainable fisheries management and prevent depletion of marine resources, the  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying, Government  of  India,  works  in  close  coordination  with  State/UT  Governments  and relevant environmental agencies. Key initiatives include the establishment of artificial reefs  along  India's  coastal  waters,  sea  ranching  programmes,  promotion of  seaweed farming, implementation of a uniform 61-day fishing ban during the major fish breeding period, and installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets to conserve sea turtles. Further, advisories are issued to States/UTs to implement measures to prevent juvenile fishing, such as mesh-size regulations and minimum legal sizes for capture under their respective Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs),  to  promote sustainable and responsible fishing practices. The Government of India has prohibited harmful fishing practices, such as pair or bull trawling, and the use of LED or artificial lights for fishing within the EEZ. In addition, the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) conducts awareness programs in coastal fishing villages across the country to educate fishers about the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and to prevent illegal, unreported,  and  unregulated  (IUU)  fishing. Further,  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs, Government  of  India,  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,  to promote sustainable management of the marine ecosystem while ensuring optimal utilization of untapped fishery resources in the EEZ.

(c) and (d) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has been implementing the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during the last five years (2020-21 to 202425)  and  in  the  current  financial  year  (2025-26)  across  all  the  States  and  Union Territories, including in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. The PMMSY  envisages  inclusive  development,  with  increased  financial  assistance  for small-scale fishers to bring them into the mainstream of fisheries development. During this period, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has accorded approval to fisheries development proposals at a total cost of Rs. 21274.13 crore, with a central share of Rs. 9189.74 crore. The key interventions and value chain projects/activities taken up to improve fish storage and transport infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and increase fisher incomes under this scheme include; 59 fishing harbours/fish landing  centres,  734  ice  plants/cold  storages,  21  Modern  wholesale  fish  markets including 2 Smart, Wholesale Fish Markets, 202 retail fish markets, 6410 fish kiosks, 27301 units of fish transportation facilities such as 10924 motorcycles with ice boxes, 9412 bicycles with ice boxes, 3915 auto rickshaws, 1265 live fish vending units, 1406 insulated trucks and 379 refrigerated trucks. Further, other key interventions taken up under this scheme include: boats (replacement) and nets for traditional fishermen, Biotoilets, communication and /or Tracking Devices for traditional and motorised vessels like VHF /Transponders etc, distribution of safety kits for fishermen of traditional and motorized fishing vessels, and Livelihood and Nutritional support for traditional fishers during fishing ban/lean period, etc.

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