SIGNIFICANCE AND OVERVIEW
Economic Importance
- Contributes significantly to national income and exports
- Recognized as a ‘Sunrise Sector’
- Sustains livelihoods of approximately 30 million people
- Particularly important for marginalized and vulnerable communities
Production Growth (2013-14 to 2022-23)
- Total fish production increased from 95.79 lakh tonnes to 175.45 lakh tonnes
- Inland fisheries and aquaculture production:
- Increased from 61.36 lakh tonnes to 131.13 lakh tonnes
- Registered 114% growth
- Seafood exports:
- FY 2023-24: Rs 60,523.89 crore
- More than doubled from Rs 30,213 crore in FY 2013-14
MAJOR GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
1. Seaweed & Pearl and Ornamental Fisheries
Key Developments
- First National Conference on Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation (Kutch, Gujarat, January 2024)
- PMMSY target: Increase seaweed production to 1.12 million tonnes by 2025
- Guidelines for import of live seaweeds introduced (October 2024)
- Establishment of three specialized fisheries clusters in Lakshadweep
- Mandapam Regional Centre established as Centre of Excellence
Impact Goals
- Benefit 20,000 seaweed farmers
- Create approximately 5,000 jobs
- Enhance India’s global seaweed industry presence
2. Support to Fisheries Startups and FFPOs
- Establishment of 3 Incubation Centres
- Integration with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce)
- PMMSY Entrepreneurship model:
- Support up to Rs 1.3 crore
- 39 projects sanctioned
3. Infrastructure Development
Integrated Aqua Parks (IAPs)
- Investment: ₹179.81 crores
- Location: Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland
- Expected impact:
- 1,400 direct jobs
- 2,400 indirect jobs
Other Infrastructure Initiatives
- Development of two World-Class Fish Markets
- Three Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbors
- 800 hectares of saline area development
MAJOR SCHEMES AND PROGRAMS
1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Investment: Rs. 20,050 crore (2020-21 to 2024-25)
- Approved projects worth: Rs. 20,864.29 crore
- Central share: Rs. 8,871.42 crore
Key Achievements
- Inland Fisheries:
- 52,058 cages
- 23,285.06 hectares pond area
- 12,081 Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems
- 4,205 Biofloc units
- Marine Fisheries:
- 2,259 Bio-toilets in mechanized vessels
- 1,525 open sea cages
- 480 deep sea fishing vessels
2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY)
- Investment: Rs. 6,000 crore (2023-24 to 2026-27)
- Focus: Sector formalization and value chain efficiency
3. Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
- Total fund size: Rs 7,522.48 crore
- Approved proposals: 132 (worth Rs. 5,794.09 crore)
- Created facilities for 8,100+ fishing vessels
- Employment generation: 2.5 lakh opportunities
4. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fisheries
- Extended to fishers and fish farmers since 2018-19
- Sanctioned: 4.39 lakh KCCs
- Total loan amount: Rs 2,810 crore
WELFARE MEASURES AND IMPACT
Social Security
- Livelihood support to 4.33 lakh fishers’ families annually
- Group Accidental Insurance coverage: 184.32 lakh fishers
- Housing support: 18,481 units
Employment Generation
- Total opportunities created since 2014-15: 74.66 lakh
- Includes both direct and indirect employment
