Lok Sabha Question No. 1675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Fishing in UT of Lakshadweep
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Sudhakar Singh, Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. † 1675 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## Fishing in UT of Lakshadweep

## † 1675.  Shri Sudhakar Singh:

## Shri Janardhan Singh Sigriwal :

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

- (a) the total number of fishermen currently registered in UT of Lakshadweep and the total number of  fishing  vessels/boats  available  with  them  along  with  the  details  for  traditional  and mechanised boats theirin;
- (b) the total fish production in Lakshadweep during the last three financial years, year-wise and species-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  implementing  any  specific  scheme  in  Lakshadweep  the livelihood of fishermen and strengthen modern fishing boats and market access and if so the details thereof, and
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote fisheries and Blue Economy in islands of UTs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): As reported by the Lakshadweep Administration, 3,257 fishermen are registered in the Union Territory,  and  1,747 fishing  vessels  are  available,  including  both traditional  and mechanised boats.  These  comprise:  (i)  1,538  motorized  non -mechanical  traditional  OBM  boats,  (ii)  192 non -motorized traditional crafts, and (iii) 17 motorized mechanical boats
- (b): As reported by the Lakshadweep Administration, fish production in Lakshadweep during the last three financial years, year-wise and species-wise, is furnished at Annexure-I
- (c) and (d): The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying  (MoFAH&D),  Government  of  India  (GoI)  has  been  implementing  Pradhan  Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) across all States and Union Territories (UTs), including the UT of Lakshadweep, since 2020-21. In addition, the UT Administration operates its own scheme aimed at livelihood support, modernization of fishing operations, and market improvement. Under the PMMSY, during 2020-21 and 2025-26, the DoF, GoI, has approved project proposals worth Rs. 62.43 Crore to the UT of Lakshadweep, with a central share of Rs. 44.20 Crore.

The approved projects include the establishment of cold storages and ice plants with capacities of 5 -ton, 10 -ton, and 20 -ton; construction of fish kiosks to improve local retail infrastructure; and the provision of three -wheelers and motorcycles fitted with ice boxes to enhance the hygienic transport of fish. Support has also been extended for fish value -addition units, acquisition of deep -sea fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, and promotion of recreational fisheries and backyard ornamental fish rearing. To enhance safety and efficiency at sea, assistance is being provided  for  communication  and  tracking  devices,  including  VHF  sets,  DAT,  AND  NAVIC receivers,  as  well  as  for  safety  kits  and  for  the  replacement  of  traditional  boats  and  nets. Seaweed culture has also been promoted as a livelihood -diversification activity, with financial assistance provided for the adoption of mono -line, tube -net, and raft -based cultivation methods. Additionally,  under  the  UT  Scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided  for  the  construction  of fishing boats, thereby strengthening fishing infrastructure and livelihood security in the islands. Moreover, in line with the Government's  cluster -based  approach  for  holistic fisheries development and enhancement of fishers' incomes and recognising the significant potential of the seaweed sector for Lakshadweep's overall economic growth, the Government of India has notified a dedicated Seaweed Cluster in the Union Territory.

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Statement referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1675 regarding Fishing  in  UT  of  Lakshadweep  for  answer  on  10 th   February,  2026  -  fish  production  in Lakshadweep during the last three financial years, year-wise and species-wise.

|         |                                                 | Total in Kg   | Total in Kg   | Total in Kg   |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Sl No.  | Species                                         | 2022-23       | 2023-24       | 2024-25       |
| Pelagic |                                                 |               |               |               |
| 1       | Fishes Yellow fin Tuna - Thunnus albacares      | 3213411       | 2968937       | 6659057       |
| 2       | Skipjack - Katsuwonus pelamis                   | 6426825       | 5623091       | 8019846       |
| 3       | Kawa kawa - Euthinnus affinis                   | 838281        | 608600        | 1301748       |
| 4       | Frigate tuna - Auxis thazard                    | 428293        | 399516        | 245175        |
| 5       | Big eye - Thunnus obesus                        | 409989        | 268903        | 95081         |
| 6       | Dog-toothed tuna - Gymnosarda unicolor          | 97800         | 105997        | 68681         |
|         | Total                                           | 11414599      | 9975044       | 16389588      |
| 7       | Sail Fish - Istiophorus platyperus (Ola Meen)   | 111771        | 139972        | 181757        |
| 8       | Marlin - Makaira sp. (Kuthira Meen)             | 1397          | 10335         | 29855         |
| 9       | Sword Fish - Xiohias sp. (Komban Choora)        | 2794          | 23133         | 22299         |
|         | Total                                           | 115962        | 173440        | 233911        |
| 10      | Carrangids - Travelly (Kuluval)                 | 261264        | 349662        | 283785        |
| 11      | Baraccuda - Sphyraena sp. (Thirathakkadiyan)    | 27943         | 29669         | 73210         |
| 12      | Dolphin Fish - Coryphaena sp. (Amanoos)         | 125740        | 143767        | 83210         |
| 13      | Rainbow Runner - Elagatis bipinnulata (Shameen) | 139714        | 218920        | 157186        |
| 14      | Flying Fish - Exocetus sp (Parava)              | 14998         | 48928         | 69288         |
| 15      | Gar Fish - Belonidae sp (Karuthon)              | 279427        | 315679        | 230338        |
| 16      | Half Beak - Hemirampus sp (Kudukka)             | 140987        | 123646        | 94651         |
| 17      | Wahoo - Acanthocybium sp. (Ayakkura)            | 129914        | 232575        | 209939        |
| 18      | Miscellaneous                                   | 279427        | 320808        | 357939        |
|         | Total                                           | 1399414       | 1783654       | 1559546       |
|         | Total Pelagic Fin Fishes                        | 12929975      | 11932138      | 18183045      |
|         | Fishes                                          |               |               |               |
| 19      | Lutjanus gibbus ( Shammali)                     | 150020        | 158333        | 171712        |
| 20      | Lutjanus bohar (Phulariam)                      | 129135        | 140440        | 85674         |
| 21      | Grouper - Epinephelus sp. (Chemmam)             | 136792        | 184877        | 112885        |
| 22      | Lethrinidae - Emperor sp. (Metti)               | 113920        | 235477        | 133937        |
| 23      | Gerridae (Phurachi)                             | 104145        | 43734         | 61563         |
| 24      | Mullidae - Goat Fish (Manakkam)                 | 99655         | 174045        | 137727        |
|         | Total                                           | 733667        | 936906        | 703498        |
| 24      | Sharks (Shurav)                                 | 41914         | 48174         | 56999         |
| 25      | Rays (Thirandi / Kotar)                         | 55885         | 59667         | 37646         |
|         | Total                                           | 97799         | 107841        | 94645         |
| 26      | Octopus (Appal)                                 | 69857         | 51923         | 31198         |
| 27      | Miscellaneous                                   | 140060        | 184086        | 91533         |
|         | Total                                           | 209917        | 236009        | 122731        |
|         | Total Demersal Fishes (5) +(6) +(7)             | 1041383       | 1280756       | 920874        |
|         | Grand Total (4) + (8)                           | 13971358      | 13212894      | 19103919      |
|         | Grand Total (Tonne)                             | 13971.3       | 13213         | 19104         |