New Delhi: Government of India has significantly increased investments in the fisheries sector since 2015, allocating Rs. 38,572 crore for its development and the welfare of fishermen, including those in West Bengal and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, has implemented key schemes such as the Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-2020) with a central outlay of Rs. 3,000 crore, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (2018-19) with Rs. 7,522.48 crore, and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY, 2020-25) with Rs. 20,050 crore for fisheries sector. The recently launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY, 2023-27) has an allocation of Rs. 6,000 crore. Additionally, the government has extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers for financial support.
In the last four years, approvals worth Rs. 20,990.79 crore have been granted under PMMSY, with Rs. 8,926.28 crore as the central share. West Bengal received approvals for Rs. 544.39 crore, while Andaman & Nicobar Islands secured Rs. 58.67 crore for fisheries development. A cluster-based approach is being promoted to enhance productivity and income, with the Tuna fisheries cluster in Andaman & Nicobar Islands recently notified under PMMSY.
The National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017) ensures conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The annual fishing ban from April 15 to June 15 on the east coast supports breeding seasons. Harmful fishing practices like pair trawling and LED fishing are also prohibited.
Union Minister of State George Kurian shared these details in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
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