Thursday, 05 Dec, 2024
Indian fisheries have recently seen a paradigm change from inland to marine-dominated fisheries, with the latter becoming a major contributor to fish output from 36 percent in the middle of the 1980s to 70 percent in the recent past. Image Source: IANS
The central government has been maximizing its effort to boost the blue economy and provide new opportunities to the fishermen along the coast.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India organised the ‘Fisheries Summer Meet 2024’ at Madurai in Tamil Nadu today with an aim to hold strategic discussions with States/UTs to deliberate on the progress and way forward for the development of the fisheries sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a total of 321 significant projects totaling Rs. 114 Crore were virtually inaugurated by Union Ministers Raj Rajeev Ranjan Singh and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, covering 19 State/UTs.
The central government has been maximizing its effort to boost the blue economy and provide new opportunities to the fishermen along the coast. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a scheme launched by the central government for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Recently, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that the PMMSY provides insurance coverage to fishers which includes fish workers, fish farmers and any other categories of persons directly involved in fishing and fisheries related allied activities.
With a budget of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of five years, PMMSY aims to achieve fish production of 22 million metric tons (MMT) from the current 13.76 MMT by 2024-25 and to create additional employment opportunities for about 55 lakh people.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada has been approved at a total estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores to be implemented over a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. The scheme intends to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernisation and strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare.
The Department of Fisheries got a sum totaling Rs 2248.77 crore, according to an announcement made by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman during the presentation of the budget for FY 2023–2024. It marks an overall increase of 38.45 percent over the budget of FY 2022-23 from the last one and is one of the highest ever annual budgetary support for the Department. She also unveiled a brand-new sub-program called Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a central sector sub-program under PMMSY with a targeted investment of Rs 6,000 crore and the goal of boosting further the earnings and incomes of fishers, fish vendors, and micro & small businesses active in the fisheries sector.
Apart from the above mentioned efforts. The Government of India launched Sagar Parikrama with aims of (i) facilitating interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders in order to disseminate information about the various fisheries-related schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government; (ii) showing solidarity with all fishermen, fish farmers, and concerned stakeholders in accordance with the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat; and (iii) promoting responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and (iv) protection of marine ecosystems.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Indian fisheries have recently seen a paradigm change from inland to marine-dominated fisheries, with the latter becoming a major contributor to fish output from 36 percent in the middle of the 1980s to 70 percent in the recent past.
The export of seafood products from India has increased from US$ 5.9 billion in FY 2020-21 to an all-time high record figure of US$ 7.38 billion in FY 2023-24. This has made India the 4th largest exporter of fish and fisheries products, 3rd largest fish producer and 2nd largest aquaculture producer.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frozen shrimp remained the major export item in quantity and value, while the USA and China became the major importers of India’s seafood. During FY 2023-24, the export improved in quantity terms by 2.67%. In 2022-23, India exported 17,35,286 MT of seafood worth ₹63,969.14 crore.
Over 2.8 million fisherman rely on the country's 8,118 km of coastline, which is made up of 9 coastal States and 4 Union Territories. Eight percent of the world's fish production comes from India, which is ranked third in the world for fish production. By continuing its sincere efforts, the government can transform the fishing industry and provide a boost to the blue economy.
