Parliament Question: Deep Sea Fishing Vessels

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5281 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24th MARCH, 2026 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels 5281. Dr. C M Ramesh: Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has sanctioned deep sea fishing vessels have been sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY); (b) the number of vessels sanctioned, operationalised and pending in the State; (c) whether infrastructure such as harbours, cold storage, processing units and export facilities have been strengthened along the Andhra Pradesh coastline; (d) whether any skill development and safety training programmes have been conducted for deep sea fishers; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to enhance value addition and export earnings from marine fisheries in Andhra Pradesh? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) and (b) : Considering the scope for harnessing deep-sea fisheries resources in the Indian EEZ and High Seas and the recommendations of the National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017, the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India is providing financial assistance to traditional fishermen for acquisition of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels (DSFVs) under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY) at the rate of 40% subsidy for General Category and 60% subsidy for SC/ST/Women beneficiaries in the country including the State of Andhra Pradesh. Under PMMSY, the DoF, Government of India, has sanctioned 50 DSFVs to the State of Andhra Pradesh. As reported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, 6 DSFVs are currently operational in the State. (c) Under PMMSY, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India, has approved proposals submitted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh amounting to ₹2,416.92 crore, including a Central share of ₹569.86 crore, for implementation of various fisheries‑related activities such as development of fishing harbours, fish landing centres, cold storage facilities, and value‑addition units. Approval has been accorded for the construction of three fishing harbours at Budagatlapalem (Srikakulam district), Pudimadaka (Anakapalli district), and Kothapatnam (Prakasam district) at a total cost of ₹1,137.20 crore. Additional activities, including cold storage, processing units, and export‑oriented infrastructure, have also been sanctioned under PMMSY; details thereof are provided in the Annexure. (d) Under the Training, Awareness, Exposure and Capacity Building component of the Central Sector scheme of PMMSY, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) serves as the Nodal Agency for implementing the training programmes. This component places special emphasis on enhancing the skills, awareness, and capacity of fishers, fish farmers, fish workers/vendors, and fisheries officials across all coastal States and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh.As part of this initiative, NFDB, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training (CIFNET), conducts exclusive training programmes for marine fishermen on deep‑sea fishing and on‑board fish handling. A total of 8,040 fishermen have been trained under these programmes, including 874 fishers from Andhra Pradesh, thereby strengthening India’s capacity in deep‑sea fishing operations. In addition, the Fishery Survey of India (FSI), under the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has conducted skill‑development and capacity‑building programmes to promote the adoption of deep‑sea fishing technologies, with particular focus on deep‑sea tuna longlining and sashimi‑grade tuna handling. These programmes provide hands‑on training onboard FSI survey vessels, covering monofilament longline operations (setting and hauling), gear configuration, and efficient deck management. Structured modules also include deep‑sea navigation, use of modern navigational aids (GPS, echo sounders, AIS), watch‑keeping practices, and safety at sea, including life‑saving appliances and firefighting equipment (e) PMMSY places strong emphasis on value addition and export enhancement through improved post‑harvest infrastructure, promotion of fish value‑added enterprises, and reduction of post‑harvest losses. The Government of India continues to engage closely with the stakeholders to assess evolving global market conditions and is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to expand India’s fisheries export footprint. This strategy includes sustained engagement with major markets like the United States towards a mutually beneficial India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement; immediate support measures such as RBI’s trade‑related interventions and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters; enhancement of domestic demand through next‑generation GST reforms; and targeted export‑promotion initiatives under the newly launched Export Promotion Mission. The Government is also negotiating new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and strengthening the utilisation of existing FTAs to improve market access for Indian seafood products. In parallel, the Department of Fisheries has undertaken extensive stakeholder consultations and strategic outreach efforts, including Investors’ Meets in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, the Coastal States Fisheries Meet, Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Meet, Seafood Exporters Meet, and World Fisheries Day events, with a strong focus on enhancing value addition in seafood exports. A Round Table Conference with Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 39 countries was convened to promote Indian seafood exports, deepen diplomatic engagement, foster collaboration on sustainable fisheries, and advance technological innovation in fisheries and aquaculture. Bilateral engagements with major importing nations are also being actively pursued to further strengthen market access. To enhance global competitiveness, the Government is facilitating ease of doing business through regulatory reforms and streamlined import procedures. Additionally, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), under the Department of Commerce, continues to promote marine product exports through participation in international seafood trade fairs and exhibitions, buyer–seller meets, branding and promotion of Indian shrimp, and a range of export‑facilitation measures aimed at expanding market access and ensuring stable global demand for Indian seafood. *****Annexure Statement referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5281 regarding Deep Sea Fishing Vessels for answer on 24th March, 2026 – Details of cold storage, processing units and export facilities approved in Andhra Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): (Rs in Lakh) Sl No. Activities Units approved Total Project Cost Central Share (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) 1. Construction of Cold 10 400.00 115.20 Storages/Ice Plants (10 tons/day capacity) 2. Construction of Cold 1 80.00 19.20 Storages/Ice Plants (20 tons/day) 3. Construction of Cold 1 120.00 43.20 Storages/Ice Plants (30 tons/day) 4. Construction of Cold 4 600.00 162.00 Storages/Ice Plants (50 tons/day) 5. Fish Value Add Enterprises 25 1250.00 360.00 Units 6. E-platform for e-trading 1 100.00 24.00 and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products 7. Modern Integrated Fish 6 12691.32 7614.79 landing centres Total 15241.32 8338.39