Parliament Question: Andhra Pradesh coastal fish stock decline and pollution

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1326 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11th February 2026 Andhra Pradesh coastal fish stock decline and pollution

1326. Shri Meda Raghunadha Reddy:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the Central Government is aware of complaints by fishermen on the Andhra coast (e.g. Kakinada/Uppada) regarding fish stock decline and alleged industrial pollution;

(b) if so, what investigations the Centre has initiated and whether the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been requested to test sea-water and effluents;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) Whether central support or compensation is available to affected fisher communities and criteria for eligibility; and

(e) if so, the details thereof including any central funds released, if not, reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING SHRI RAJIV RANJAN S INGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH

(a) to (c): Matters relating to industrial pollution fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and are addressed through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in accordance with the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and other applicable environmental laws. Department of Fisheries, Government of Andhra Pradesh, has reported that the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has received representation from fishermen and local villages regarding pollution in the Uppada area. In this regard, APPCB has constituted a three-member Expert Committee comprising representatives from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), and Andhra University to conduct a rapid environmental audit of industries discharging wastewater through the marine outfall near Uppada.

Over the last five years, Andhra Pradesh's marine fish production has increased from 5.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 6.51 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Further, as per the latest scientific report published by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in 2022, about 91.1% of India’s Marine Fish Stocks are in a healthy condition. While studies indicate interannual fluctuations due to climate and environmental variables, marine fishery production has remained stable over the past five years, with no evidence of decline in marine fish stocksThe Department of Fisheries, Government of India, is working closely with the State/UT Governments and environmental agencies to conserve and restore fish stocks and promote sustainable fisheries. These efforts include the establishment of artificial reefs along the entire coastline of India, including Andhra Coast, the conduct of sea ranching, the promotion of seaweed farming, the implementation of a uniform fishing ban for 61 days during the major fish breeding period, and the installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets for conservation of turtles, etc. Further, advisories are issued to States/UTs to implement measures to prevent juvenile fishing, such as mesh-size regulations and minimum legal sizes for fish under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs), to ensure sustainable and responsible fishing practices. In addition, the Government of India has prohibited harmful fishing practices, such as pair or bull trawling, and the use of LED or artificial lights for fishing within the EEZ. To address sea-based marine plastic pollution, particularly from fishing and maritime sectors, the Department is actively engaged in global initiatives such as the GloLitter Partnership Project and RegLitter Project, jointly implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

(d) to (e): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has been implementing the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) and in the current financial year (2025-26) across all the States and Union Territories, including in Andhra Pradesh. During this period, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has accorded approval for fisheries development proposals, including welfare of fishermen, to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, at a total cost of Rs. 2416.92 crore, with a Central share of Rs. 569.86 crore under PMMSY in the State. The key interventions and value chain projects/activities taken

up under this scheme include: boats (replacement) and nets for traditional fishermen, Bio-toilets, fishing harbours /fish landing centres, ice plants/cold storages, retail fish markets, fish kiosks, fish transportation facilities, cage culture, etc. Further, under PMMSY, assistance is provided to socio-economically backward and active traditional fisher families during the annual fishing ban/lean period.

Assistance of ₹3,000 per beneficiary per year is provided by the Government, with a beneficiary contribution of ₹1,500, and the accumulated amount of ₹4,500 is released during the three-month ban period.

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