**Executive Summary**
This report, posted on February 10, 2026, by PIB Delhi, details fishing activities and infrastructure development in the Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep. It presents statistics on registered fishermen, available fishing vessels, and fish production over the last three financial years. It also highlights the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and other UT schemes to support livelihood and modernize fishing operations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Fishermen and Vessels:**
* 3,257 fishermen are registered in the UT of Lakshadweep.
* 1,747 fishing vessels are available, including traditional and mechanized boats. These include motorized non-mechanical traditional OBM boats (1,538), non-motorized traditional crafts (192), and motorized mechanical boats (17).
* **Fish Production:**
* Detailed fish production data for the last three financial years, categorized by species, is provided in Annexure-I.
* Totals are broken down for Pelagic and Demersal fish types
* Key species include Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack, Kawa Kawa, Frigate Tuna, and Bigeye.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Lakshadweep since 2020-21.
* The UT Administration operates its own scheme aimed at livelihood support, modernization of fishing operations, and market improvement.
* Under PMMSY, project proposals worth Rs. 62.43 Crore have been approved for Lakshadweep during 2020-21 and 2025-26, with a central share of Rs. 44.20 Crore.
* **Project Focus:**
* Projects include the establishment of cold storages and ice plants.
* Construction of fish kiosks to improve local retail infrastructure.
* Provision of three-wheelers and motorcycles fitted with ice boxes for hygienic transport of fish.
* Support for fish value-addition units, acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels, recreational fisheries, and ornamental fish rearing.
* Assistance for communication and tracking devices, safety kits, and replacement of traditional boats and nets.
* Promotion of seaweed culture as a livelihood diversification activity.
* Financial assistance is provided for the construction of fishing boats under the UT Scheme.
* A dedicated Seaweed Cluster has been notified in the UT to enhance fishers' incomes and promote economic growth.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Lakshadweep Fishermen**
**Impact:** Benefit from modernization of fishing operations, improved infrastructure, financial assistance for boat construction, and livelihood diversification opportunities through seaweed culture.
**Action Required:** Access available schemes and support to upgrade fishing vessels, adopt new technologies, and explore seaweed cultivation.
**Stakeholder: Lakshadweep Administration**
**Impact:** Supports development of infrastructure and livelihood security of the islands.
**Action Required:** Implement and monitor PMMSY and UT schemes effectively, ensuring funds are utilized for approved projects and that fishermen are aware of available opportunities.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying)**
**Impact:** Contributes to holistic fisheries development and enhancement of fishers' incomes.
**Action Required:** Continue funding and overseeing the implementation of PMMSY and other relevant initiatives in Lakshadweep, aligned with the cluster-based approach.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme implemented across all States and Union Territories, including Lakshadweep, since 2020-21, aimed at supporting livelihood, modernizing fishing operations, and improving markets.
Lakshadweep: Union Territory where fishing activities and related schemes/programs are being implemented.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D): The central ministry overseeing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and related initiatives.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Fishing in UT of Lakshadweep
Posted On: 10 FEB 2026 2:02PM by PIB Delhi
As reported by the Lakshadweep Administration, 3,257 fishermen are registered in the Union Territory,
and 1,747 fishing vessels are available, including both traditional and mechanised boats. These comprise:
(i) 1,538 motorized non-mechanical traditional OBM boats, (ii) 192 non-motorized traditional crafts, and
(iii) 17 motorized mechanical boats
(b): As reported by the Lakshadweep Administration, fish production in Lakshadweep during the last
three financial years, year-wise and species-wise, is furnished at Annexure-I
(c) and (d): The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
(MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) has been implementing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
Yojana (PMMSY) across all States and Union Territories (UTs), including the UT of Lakshadweep, since
2020-21. In addition, the UT Administration operates its own scheme aimed at livelihood support,
modernization of fishing operations, and market improvement. Under the PMMSY, during 2020-21 and
2025-26, the DoF, GoI, has approved project proposals worth Rs. 62.43 Crore to the UT of Lakshadweep,
with a central share of Rs. 44.20 Crore.
The approved projects include the establishment of cold storages and ice plants with capacities of 5-ton,
10-ton, and 20-ton; construction of fish kiosks to improve local retail infrastructure; and the provision of
three-wheelers and motorcycles fitted with ice boxes to enhance the hygienic transport of fish. Support has
also been extended for fish value-addition units, acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels for traditional
fishermen, and promotion of recreational fisheries and backyard ornamental fish rearing. To enhance
safety and efficiency at sea, assistance is being provided for communication and tracking devices,
including VHF sets, DAT, AND NAVIC receivers, as well as for safety kits and for the replacement of
traditional boats and nets. Seaweed culture has also been promoted as a livelihood-diversification activity,
with financial assistance provided for the adoption of mono-line, tube-net, and raft-based cultivation
methods. Additionally, under the UT Scheme, financial assistance is provided for the construction of
fishing boats, thereby strengthening fishing infrastructure and livelihood security in the islands. Moreover,
in line with the Government’s cluster-based approach for holistic fisheries development and enhancement
of fishers’ incomes and recognising the significant potential of the seaweed sector for Lakshadweep’s
overall economic growth, the Government of India has notified a dedicated Seaweed Cluster in the Union
Territory.
****
ANNEXURE-I
Statement Fish production in Lakshadweep during the last three financial years, year-wise and species-
wise.Total in Kg
Sl No. Species 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Pelagic Fishes
1 Yellow fin Tuna - Thunnus albacares 3213411 2968937 6659057
2 Skipjack - Katsuwonus pelamis 6426825 5623091 8019846
3 Kawa kawa - Euthinnus affinis 838281 608600 1301748
4 Frigate tuna - Auxis thazard 428293 399516 245175
5 Big eye - Thunnus obesus 409989 268903 95081
6 Dog-toothed tuna - Gymnosarda unicolor 97800 105997 68681
Total 11414599 9975044 16389588
7 Sail Fish - Istiophorus platyperus (Ola 111771 139972 181757
Meen)
8 Marlin - Makaira sp. (Kuthira Meen) 1397 10335 29855
9 Sword Fish - Xiohias sp. (Komban Choora) 2794 23133 22299
Total 115962 173440 233911
10 Carrangids - Travelly (Kuluval) 261264 349662 283785
11 Baraccuda – Sphyraena sp. 27943 29669 73210
(Thirathakkadiyan)
12 Dolphin Fish - Coryphaena sp. (Amanoos) 125740 143767 83210
13 Rainbow Runner - Elagatis bipinnulata 139714 218920 157186
(Shameen)
14 Flying Fish - Exocetus sp (Parava) 14998 48928 69288
15 Gar Fish - Belonidae sp (Karuthon) 279427 315679 230338
16 Half Beak - Hemirampus sp (Kudukka) 140987 123646 9465117 Wahoo - Acanthocybium sp. (Ayakkura) 129914 232575 209939
18 Miscellaneous 279427 320808 357939
Total 1399414 1783654 1559546
Total Pelagic Fin Fishes 12929975 11932138 18183045
Demersal Fishes
19 Lutjanus gibbus (Shammali) 150020 158333 171712
20 Lutjanus bohar (Phulariam) 129135 140440 85674
21 Grouper - Epinephelus sp. (Chemmam) 136792 184877 112885
22 Lethrinidae - Emperor sp. (Metti) 113920 235477 133937
23 Gerridae (Phurachi) 104145 43734 61563
24 Mullidae - Goat Fish (Manakkam) 99655 174045 137727
Total 733667 936906 703498
24 Sharks (Shurav) 41914 48174 56999
25 Rays (Thirandi / Kotar) 55885 59667 37646
Total 97799 107841 94645
26 Octopus (Appal) 69857 51923 31198
27 Miscellaneous 140060 184086 91533
Total 209917 236009 122731
Total Demersal Fishes (5) +(6) +(7) 1041383 1280756 920874
Grand Total (4) + (8) 13971358 13212894 19103919
Grand Total (Tonne) 13971.3 13213 19104
This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh
alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha today in response to a question asked.*************
JP
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