**Executive Summary**
This report addresses marine fish production trends in Kerala, noting that while fluctuations occur, there is no significant long-term decline, with production reaching 6.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The Department of Fisheries has approved ₹1418.51 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for infrastructure, technology infusion, and stock rejuvenation. Key regulatory measures include a mandatory 61-day annual fishing ban and the transition to digital marketing platforms to enhance fisher livelihoods.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Production Trends and Research**
* **Production Status:** Marine fish production increased from 4.82 lakh tonnes in 2015 to 6.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25; ICAR-CMFRI studies indicate no long-term decline despite periodic fluctuations.
* **Climate Assessment:** ICAR-Research institutes conduct ongoing assessments of climate-related impacts on marine fisheries to guide conservation efforts.
**Developmental Initiatives (PMMSY)**
* **Funding Allocation:** ₹1418.51 crore approved for Kerala over the last five years and the current year for fisheries development.
* **Stock Rejuvenation:** Installation of 42 artificial reef units and implementation of sea ranching programs (releasing cobia and pompano seeds) via the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
* **Infrastructure Expansion:** Approval for 20 deep-sea fishing vessels, 9 modern coastal fishing villages, and 6 climate-resilient villages.
* **Diversified Livelihoods:** Support for bivalve cultivation (1140 units), ornamental fish rearing (822 units), and integrated reservoir development.
**Technology and Infrastructure**
* **Advanced Aquaculture:** Implementation of 708 Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and 780 Biofloc culture units.
* **Cold Chain and Retail:** Approval for 1 fish brood bank, 16 ice plants/cold storages, 468 post-harvest transportation units, and 90 fish kiosks to strengthen the supply chain.
**Conservation and Social Security**
* **Fishing Ban:** A uniform 61-day ban is enforced in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for stock rejuvenation (April 15–June 14 on the East Coast; June 1–July 31 on the West Coast).
* **Financial Support:** Annual livelihood and nutritional assistance provided to 1,71,033 socio-economically backward traditional fishers during the ban period.
**Market Linkages and Digitalization**
* **Price Information:** Launch of the ‘Fish Market Price Information System’ (FMPIS) by the NFDB to provide real-time price data.
* **E-Commerce:** An MoU signed with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to empower fishers and cooperatives to sell products through digital marketplaces.
**Impact Analysis**
**Traditional Fishers**
* **Impact:** Affected by seasonal fishing restrictions but benefit from rejuvenation of fish stocks and direct financial aid during ban periods.
* **Action Required:** Must adhere to the 61-day fishing ban and utilize digital platforms (ONDC/FMPIS) for improved price negotiation and market access.
**Government of Kerala**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing massive infrastructure projects and state-level implementation of PMMSY schemes.
* **Action Required:** Must manage the execution of sea ranching, artificial reef installations, and the development of climate-resilient fishing villages.
**Fisheries Cooperatives and Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** Gain access to modern technology (RAS/Biofloc) and enhanced post-harvest infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Adopt technology-infused aquaculture practices and register on supported e-platforms for trading and marketing fish products.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): The flagship scheme of the Department of Fisheries used to fund marine conservation, aquaculture diversification, and infrastructure projects across Indian states.
Kerala: The primary state of focus for the reported fish production trends and the implementation of specific fisheries developmental proposals.
Department of Fisheries: The central government department responsible for approving fisheries development projects and managing the PMMSY scheme.
ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI): The research organization that conducted the study on marine fish production trends and assesses climate-related impacts on fisheries.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): The implementing agency for the sea ranching program and the developer of the Fish Market Price Information System (FMPIS).
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Declining Marine Fish Production and
Aquaculture Output in Kerala
Posted On: 17 MAR 2026 3:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of Kerala has reported that although the total marine fish production in the State of
Kerala has exhibited periodic fluctuations, the study report of ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute (CMFRI) does not indicate any significant long-term decline in overall production. It is informed
that the marine fish production has increased from 4.82 lakh tonnes in 2015 to 6.09 lakh tonnes in 2018
and after certain variations during the intervening years the marine fish production reached 6.47 lakh
tonnes during 2024-25. The details of fish production in Kerala during the last five years is Annexed.
(c) & (d): ICAR-Research institutes has been undertaking assessment of climate-related impacts on
fisheries on time to time. Foreseeing the climate related impacts on fisheries including marine fisheries,
the Department of Fisheries, GoI under the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY) has taken up several initiatives towards conservation of marine fisheries, diversifying marine
fisheries and encouraging aquaculture including mariculture & seaweed cultivation in all States/UTs
including Kerala.
During last 5 years and current year under PMMSY, Department of Fisheries, GoI has approved fisheries
developmental proposal of Government of Kerala amounting to Rs. 1418.51 crore. The approved activities
include artificial reef units (42 units) along the Kerala coast towards rejuvenation of fish stock, acquisition
of deep sea fishing vessels (20 Nos) towards expanding marine fisheries to deep sea, integrated modern
coastal fishing villages (9 Nos), climate resilient villages (6 Nos), additional livelihood activities like
bivalve cultivation (1140 units), ornamental fish rearing and breeding (822 units), fresh water/brackish
water aquaculture (283.50 ha), cages in reservoirs sanctioned (493 Nos), integrated development of
Reservoirs (7 Nos), technology infused activities like Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) (708
Nos), Biofloc culture (780 Nos). The activities approved are aimed towards rejuvenation of fish stocks,
diversifying from coastal to deep sea fisheries, additional/alternate livelihood activities in coastal and
inland aquaculture. Government of Kerala has informed that sea ranching porgramme is also under
implementation through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) wherein the cobia and pompano
seeds are released near the artificial reefs installed.
Further towards seed supply, cold chain infrastructure under PMMSY fish brood bank (1 unit),
establishment of ice plants/cold storages(16 Nos), post-harvest transportation units (468 Nos), live fish
vending centres (77 units), value added enterprise (10 units), retail markets (5 units) and fish kiosk (90
units) are approved to Kerala. In addition, uniform fishing ban for a period of 61 days, from 15th April to
14th June on the East Coast and from 1st June to 31st July on the West Coast in the Indian Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) is implemented for rejuvenation of fish stock. During the fishing ban period,
financial assistance is also provided by the Government towards livelihood and nutritional support for
socio-economically backward active traditional fishers including 1,71,033 fishers annually in Kerala.(e) To strengthen market linkages, cooperative marketing and digital platforms, the DoF, GoI, has
supported E-platforms for e-trading and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products. Further, to provide
real-time price information to fishers, fish farmers and other stake holders and to help them to negotiate
better price and profitability, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has launched ‘Fish Market
Price Information System’ (FMPIS) to capture and disseminate fish market prices of commercially
important marine and inland fishes species. In addition, the Department of Fisheries, GoI has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with an
objective to provide a digital platform and empower all stakeholders including traditional fishermen,
fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmers Producer Organization (FFPO), entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to
buy and sell their products through e-market place.
*****
Annexure
Statement regarding Declining Marine Fish Production and Aquaculture Output in Kerala.
Sl. No. Year Inland Marine Total
1. 2019-20 2.05 4.75 6.80
2. 2020-21 2.24 3.92 6.16
3. 2021-22 2.25 6.01 8.26
4. 2022-23 2.30 6.91 9.21
5. 2023-24 2.51 5.81 8.32
6. 2024-25 2.80 6.47 9.27
This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan
Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha in response to a question asked.
*******
JP.
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