**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 1700 in Lok Sabha regarding the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Maharashtra, scheduled to be answered on February 10, 2026. It outlines the steps taken by the Government of India to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, financial assistance provided, and efforts to address challenges in inland fisheries. The response details interventions under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and other schemes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India, implements schemes and programs for holistic development of marine and inland fisheries in all States/UTs, including Maharashtra.
* **PMMSY Projects in Maharashtra:**
* Fisheries development projects of the Government of Maharashtra amounting to Rs. 981.72 Crore have been approved under PMMSY.
* Approved activities include financial assistance for fish brood banks, fish/prawn hatcheries, technology-infused activities (cages in reservoirs, RAS, biofloc units), deep sea fishing vessels, upgrades to existing fishing vessels, integrated modern fish landing centers, wholesale fish markets, ice plants/cold storages, fish transportation facilities, ornamental fish rearing units, seaweed cultivation, recreational fisheries units, fish kiosks, and artificial reefs.
* 1,138 projects have been sanctioned in Solapur, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Dharashiv and Ahilyanagar districts, with a total project cost of Rs.207.72 crore.
* **Financial Assistance and Credit:**
* Financial assistance of Rs. 8.99 crore has been sanctioned to 8,139 beneficiaries in Solapur and adjoining districts under the District Planning Schemes.
* 575 Kisan Credit Cards have been issued in Solapur and adjoining districts.
* **Capacity Building:**
* The Department of Fisheries also provides need-based capacity-building programs through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
* 11 training programs under the Capacity Building Programme were conducted from 2023–24 to 2025–26, benefiting 1,367 participants.
* **Addressing Challenges in Inland Fisheries:**
* The Department of Fisheries works with State Governments/UTs to address ground-level challenges in inland and reservoir fisheries.
* Interventions include ranching, stocking of fingerlings in reservoirs, integrated development of reservoirs, hatcheries for quality seed, feed mills, fish markets, fish kiosks, transportation facilities, species diversification, and technology infused culture practices.
* **Policy and Research Support:**
* The Government of Maharashtra has issued policy guidelines to ensure optimal fish stocking and sustainable exploitation of inland waters.
* ICAR institutes support these efforts through research on species diversification, fish health management, genetic improvement, responsible fishing practices, processing, and value addition.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments/UTs**
* **Impact:** Responsible for identifying beneficiaries under PMMSY and implementing fisheries development projects. They also submit proposals for capacity-building programs.
* **Action Required:** Implement fisheries development projects effectively, ensuring that PMMSY funds are utilized efficiently. Work closely with the Department of Fisheries, GOI to implement capacity building programs.
**Stakeholder: Fish Farmers and Fisherfolk in Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of financial assistance, subsidies, training programs, and other initiatives aimed at improving fish production, livelihoods, and access to markets.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training programs, adopt new technologies and practices, and utilize available financial assistance to improve fish production.
**Stakeholder: Department of Fisheries, Government of India**
* **Impact:** Responsible for formulating and implementing policies, schemes, and programs to promote the holistic development of marine and inland fisheries.
* **Action Required:** Continue to work with State Governments/UTs to address ground-level challenges in the fisheries sector and ensure that the benefits of the PMMSY and other schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.
**Stakeholder: ICAR Institutes**
* **Impact:** Provide research support for species diversification, fish health management, genetic improvement, and responsible fishing practices.
* **Action Required:** Continue to conduct research and development activities to support the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme for holistic development of marine and inland fisheries in States/UTs, under which fisheries development projects have been approved in Maharashtra.
Department of Fisheries (DoF): Department under the Government of India responsible for fisheries and aquaculture development, involved in initiatives, policies, and programs for the fisheries sector, working in coordination with State Governments/UTs.
Maharashtra: The Indian state where the fisheries and aquaculture activities are being promoted and supported through various schemes and initiatives.
National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Provides need-based capacity-building programs for fisheries through proposals submitted by States/UTs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1700
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026
Fisheries and Aquaculture in Maharashtra
1700. Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be
pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to promote sustainable fisheries and
aquaculture in Maharashtra, particularly in Solapur and adjoining districts, including
support given by the Government to inland fisheries;
(b) the financial assistance, subsidies, and capacity-building programmes provided by
the Government to fish farmers and fisherfolk in the State during the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has assessed the challenges faced by inland and
reservoir based fisheries, such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure and lack of
market access; and
(d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance fish production,
improve value chains, ensure livelihoods for fisherfolk, and promote exports from the
inland fisheries sector?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) and (b): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) through its
schemes, policies and programs has been taking several initiatives towards holistic
development of both marine and inland fisheries in all States/UTs including Maharashtra.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY), during last 3 years and
current year Department has approved fisheries development projects of Government of
Maharashtra amounting to Rs. 981.72 Crore. The approved activities include financial
assistance towards establishment of fish brood banks, fish/prawn hatcheries towards
quality seed, technology infused activities like cages in reservoirs, Re-circulatory
Aquaculture Systems (RAS), biofloc units, deep sea fishing vessels, up gradation of
existing fishing vessels for export competency, Integrated Modern Fish Landing Centres,
State of art whole sale fish markets, ice plant/cold storages, fish transportation facilities
etc. In addition, ornamental fish rearing units, seaweed cultivation, recreational fisheries
units, fish kiosks, fish value added enterprise towards alternate livelihood, livelihood
support during fish ban period and installation of artificial reefs along the coast towards
sustainable management of resources are also approved.Under the PMMSY, the beneficiaries are identified by the respective State
Governments/UTs. Government of Maharashtra has informed that fisheries and
aquaculture is being developed under the PMMSY and state level district planning
schemes. The main activities include enhancing fish production, infrastructure
development, livelihood support to fishers, stocking of fish fingerlings, capacity building
programmes etc. Government of Maharashtra has informed that under PMMSY, 1,138
projects have been sanctioned in Solapur, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Dharashiv and
Ahilyanagar districts, with a total project cost of Rs.207.72 crore. In addition, under the
District Planning Schemes, financial assistance amounting to Rs.8.99 crore has been
sanctioned to 8,139 beneficiaries in Solapur and adjoining districts. 575 Kisan Credit
Cards have been issued in Solapur and adjoining districts for meeting the short term credit
requirement.
The Department of Fisheries, GoI also provides need based capacity building
programmes through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) based on proposals
submitted by the States/UTs. Government of Maharashtra has informed that 11 training
programmes under the Capacity Building Programme were conducted during the period
from 2023–24 to 2025–26, benefiting 1,367 participants in various fisheries-related skills.
(c) and (d): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India works in close
coordination with the respective State Governments/UTs towards addressing the ground
level challenges in fisheries including inland and reservoir fisheries. Under the PMMSY,
interventions like ranching, stocking of fingerlings in reservoirs, integrated development
of reservoirs are taken up towards reservoir fisheries development. In addition, need
based interventions towards strengthening inland fisheries like establishment of
hatcheries for quality seed, feed mills, establishment of fish markets, fish kiosks, fish
vending centres, transportation facilities, promoting species diversification, productive
utilization of land and water, use of technology infused culture practices are taken up
thereby enhancing production, productivity, promoting exports and doubling fishers and
fish farmers incomes.
Government of Maharashtra has informed that requisite policy guidelines have been
issued to ensure optimal fish stocking and sustainable exploitation of inland waters.
Further, ICAR institutes are supporting these efforts through research on species
diversification, fish health management, genetic improvement, responsible fishing
practices, processing and value addition, along with outreach and extension programmes
to strengthen livelihoods and market integration of inland fisheries.
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