The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, has approved proposals worth ₹4969.62 crore, including a central share of ₹1823.58 crore, during the last four financial years (FY2020-21 to FY2023-24) and the ongoing fiscal year. The approvals aim to uplift small fishing communities and traditional fishers, offering livelihood support under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
PMMSY’s Holistic Approach to Fisheries Development
Launched in FY2020-21, PMMSY is a flagship scheme with a total investment of ₹20,050 crore for the holistic development of the fisheries sector and the welfare of fishers. The scheme supports initiatives such as climate-resilient aquaculture, which includes seaweed and bivalve cultivation, open sea cage culture, artificial reef installations, sea ranching, and integrated fish farming. Proposals worth ₹115.78 crore have been approved for these activities to benefit traditional and small-scale fishers while minimizing environmental impact, Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha.
Boost for Livelihoods and Export Competency
The Department has sanctioned ₹769.64 crore for acquiring 480 deep-sea fishing vessels and upgrading 1,338 existing vessels to enhance export readiness and support traditional fishermen. Additionally, annual livelihood and nutritional support have been extended to 5.94 lakh socio-economically backward marine and inland fishermen families during the fishing ban period.
Safety and Communication Enhancements
Under PMMSY, the government has launched a ₹364-crore project to fit one lakh fishing vessels with transponders, enabling two-way communication. This system offers short message services during emergencies, alerts for natural calamities such as cyclones, and warnings for maritime boundary crossings.
Extensive Insurance Coverage for Fishers
The scheme also provides insurance coverage to 131.13 lakh fishers, ensuring financial security for vulnerable fishing communities.
The Minister highlighted these efforts as transformative steps toward empowering traditional fishers and enhancing the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
Source: BW BUSINESSWORLD
