**Executive Summary**
Between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25, the Department of Fisheries implemented initiatives worth Rs. 28,898 crore to enhance the income and infrastructure of small and traditional fishermen. Key schemes like PMMSY and FIDF have driven an increase in fish production to 197.75 lakh tonne and exports to Rs. 62,408 crore by 2024-25. Action items include the rollout of one lakh transponders for vessel safety and the continued provision of accidental insurance and livelihood support during fishing bans.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Financial and Infrastructure Development**
* Total approvals of Rs. 28,898 crore were accorded for fisheries development proposals from States, UTs, and implementing agencies over the last five years.
* Rs. 21,274.14 crore was approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Rs. 7,623.46 crore under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
* Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facilities were issued to 5,04,848 fishers with a total loan amount of Rs. 3,837.80 crore to meet working capital needs.
**Growth and Productivity Outcomes**
* Annual fish production increased from 141.64 lakh tonne in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonne in 2024-25.
* Fisheries exports grew from Rs. 46,666 crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 62,408 crore in 2024-25.
* Diversification and productivity enhancements have contributed to higher incomes, though no specific average income calculation was conducted.
**Welfare and Safety Provisions**
* Group Accidental Insurance provides Rs. 5.00 lakh for death/permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50 lakh for partial disability, and Rs. 25,000 for hospitalization (ages 18–70).
* Socio-economically backward active traditional fishers receive Rs. 3,000 per person for livelihood and nutritional support during fishing ban/lean periods.
* Financial support is provided for fishing vessel insurance, replacement of nets and boats, and upgrading vessels for deep-sea fishing.
* A Rs. 364 crore project is underway to fit one lakh transponders on fishing vessels for two-way emergency communication, cyclone alerts, and maritime boundary warnings.
**Impact Analysis**
**Fishers and Fish Farmers**
**Impact**
They receive enhanced financial security through accidental insurance and specialized livelihood support during lean periods. Increased access to working capital via KCC and modernized equipment helps improve productivity and income.
**Action Required**
Eligible fishers should apply for KCC facilities, register for insurance coverage, and facilitate the installation of transponders on their vessels.
**Socio-economically Backward Traditional Fisher Families**
**Impact**
These families receive direct nutritional and livelihood assistance specifically during periods when fishing is restricted for resource conservation.
**Action Required**
Families must maintain active status and comply with fishing ban regulations to receive the Rs. 3,000 assistance.
**State Governments and Implementing Agencies**
**Impact**
These entities are the recipients of large-scale federal funding (nearly Rs. 29,000 crore) to execute infrastructure and development projects.
**Action Required**
Agencies must implement approved projects under PMMSY and FIDF and oversee the rollout of safety kits and communication devices.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme for the holistic development of the fisheries sector, encompassing infrastructure improvement, welfare activities, and safety measures for fishermen.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): A dedicated fund established to provide financial assistance for the creation and modernization of fisheries infrastructure across India.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY): A specific initiative aimed at enhancing the income and providing support for the development of fishers and fish farmers.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC): A credit facility extended to fishers and fish farmers to help them meet their essential working capital requirements.
Department of Fisheries: The primary department under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying responsible for implementing national fisheries development schemes and policies.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Income levels of small and traditional fishermen
Posted On: 19 MAR 2026 2:26PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of
India during the last five years (FY 2020-21 to 2024-25) has taken up several initiatives including
implementing various schemes for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture including
improvement of pisciculture infrastructure in the country. The fisheries development schemes
implemented include (i) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), (ii) Fisheries and
Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and (iii) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi
Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY). In addition, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility is also provided to fishers and
fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, during the last five
years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25) has accorded approvals to fisheries development proposals worth of
Rs.28898 crore of various States Governments, Union Territories and other End Implementing Agencies.
This includes projects worth of Rs.21,274.14 crore approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
Yojana (PMMSY) and Rs.7623.46 crore under Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development
Fund (FIDF). Additionally, Kisan Credit Card facility to 5,04,848 fishers and fish farmers with loan
amount of Rs.3837.80 crore have been issued so far .to meet their working capital. These initiatives
contributed towards enhancement of fish production, productivity, quality thereby enhancing the income
of fishers and fish farmers. While no specific calculation has been made to assess average income of
fishers during the last five years, the initiatives taken by the Government of India including diversification
of fisheries have been contributing towards augmentation of fish production, productivity, quality to meet
the consumer demands and preference and export thereby attributing to enhancement of income of fishers
& fish farmers. During the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25), fish production increased from 141.64
lakh tonne in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonne in 2024-25. Similarly, fisheries export has also increased from
Rs.46,666 crore (2019-20) to Rs.62,408 crore (2024-25).
PMMSY inter-alia envisages several welfare related activities for fishers and fish farmers including (i)
Group Accidental Insurance Coverage of Rs.5.00 lakh against death or permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50
lakh against permanent partial disability and Rs. 25,000 against accidental hospitalization in the age group
of 18 to 70 years, (ii) livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional
fishers families for conservation of fish resources during fishing ban/lean period wherein assistance is
provided @Rs.3000/- per fisher during fishing ban/lean period, (iii) fishing vessel insurance support, (iv)
replacement of net and boat as well support for acquisition and upgradation of fishing vessel for deep sea
fishing. The Government of India accords paramount importance to the safety of fishermen at sea.
Besides providing communication/tracking devices and sea-safety kits to fishermen, a specific project on
fitment of one lakh transponders onboard the fishing vessels at a total cost of Rs.364 crore has been rolled
out under PMMSY with the facility of two-way communication to send short messages during any
emergency, provides alert in case of cyclone or natural calamities and also alerts to fishermen during
maritime boundary crossing.This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan
Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.
JP
(Release ID: 2242415) Visitor Counter : 88
Read this release in: Urdu , ही