Parliament Question: Declining Marine Fish Production and Aquaculture Output in Kerala

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4052 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH MARCH, 2026 Declining Marine Fish Production and Aquaculture Output in Kerala 4052. Adv K. Francis George: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of declining marine fish production and increasing importance of aquaculture in Kerala; (b) if so, the details of marine fish production and aquaculture output in Kerala during the last five years; (c) whether any assessment has been made by the Government regarding climate-related impacts on marine fisheries and the potential of aquaculture as an alternative livelihood source and if so, the details thereof; (d) the steps taken by the Government to promote coastal aquaculture, cold chain infrastructure, seed supply and financial assistance for small-scale farmers; and (e) the measures proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen market linkages, cooperative marketing and digital trading platforms for aquaculture producers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) & (b): 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 referred to in reply to parts (a) and (b) of the Lok Sabha unstarred Question No.4052 for answer on 17th March, 2026 put in by Adv K. Francis George, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) 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 *****