**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †1675, regarding the fishing industry in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. It provides data on registered fishermen and fishing vessels, as well as fish production statistics for the past three financial years (2022-23 to 2024-25). It also outlines government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the UT scheme aimed at livelihood support, modernization of fishing operations, and market improvement in Lakshadweep.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Fishermen and Vessels:**
* 3,257 fishermen are registered in Lakshadweep.
* 1,747 fishing vessels are available, including traditional and mechanised boats.
* Vessels include 1,538 motorized non-mechanical OBM boats, 192 non-motorized traditional crafts, and 17 motorized mechanical boats.
* **Fish Production (2022-23 to 2024-25):**
* Detailed, species-wise fish production data is provided in Annexure-I.
* Data includes details on pelagic fish, demersal fish, sharks, rays, octopus, and miscellaneous catches.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The Department of Fisheries (DoF) is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) across all States and Union Territories, including Lakshadweep since 2020-21.
* The UT Administration operates its own scheme to support livelihood, modernization, and market improvement.
* Under PMMSY, project proposals worth Rs. 62.43 Crore have been approved for the UT of Lakshadweep during 2020-21 and 2025-26, with a central share of Rs. 44.20 Crore.
* **Project Details:**
* Approved projects include cold storages and ice plants, fish kiosks, and three-wheelers/motorcycles with ice boxes.
* Support extended to fish value-addition units, deep-sea fishing vessels, recreational fisheries, and ornamental fish rearing.
* Assistance for communication and tracking devices, safety kits, and boat/net replacement.
* Seaweed culture is promoted as a livelihood activity, with financial assistance for cultivation methods.
* Financial assistance for fishing boat construction is also provided.
* **Seaweed Cluster:**
* The Government of India has notified a dedicated Seaweed Cluster in the Union Territory to enhance fisher incomes and recognizing the seaweed sector’s economic potential.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Fishermen in Lakshadweep**
* **Impact:**
* Improved livelihoods through modernization of fishing operations, better market access, and diversification of income sources like seaweed culture.
* Enhanced safety and efficiency at sea with communication devices and safety equipment.
* **Action Required:**
* Engage with UT Administration and DoF to leverage schemes like PMMSY.
* Participate in training and awareness programs for adopting new technologies and practices.
**Stakeholder: Lakshadweep Administration**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for implementing and monitoring government schemes.
* Expected to improve infrastructure related to fisheries, such as cold storage and fish kiosks.
* **Action Required:**
* Effective implementation of PMMSY and UT schemes.
* Coordination with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) for project approvals and fund utilization.
* Promote awareness of available support among fishermen.
**Stakeholder: Department of Fisheries (DoF)**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for funding and oversight of the PMMSY program in Lakshadweep.
* **Action Required:**
* Ensure timely release of funds for approved projects.
* Monitor progress and evaluate the impact of the PMMSY scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A central scheme implemented across all states and Union Territories, including Lakshadweep, for holistic development and management of the fisheries sector.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The central ministry responsible for formulating and administering policies related to fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying in India.
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India and the specific location of the fishing activities and related schemes discussed in the document.
Department of Fisheries (DoF): The department within the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying that implements policies and schemes related to fisheries development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding fishing in Lakshadweep was raised.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1675
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026
Fishing in UT of Lakshadweep
† 1675. Shri Sudhakar Singh:
Shri Janardhan Singh Sigriwal:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to
state:
(a) the total number of fishermen currently registered in UT of Lakshadweep and the total
number of fishing vessels/boats available with them along with the details for traditional and
mechanised boats theirin;
(b) the total fish production in Lakshadweep during the last three financial years, year-wise
and species-wise;
(c) whether the Government is implementing any specific scheme in Lakshadweep the
livelihood of fishermen and strengthen modern fishing boats and market access and if so the
details thereof, and
(d) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote fisheries and Blue Economy in
islands of UTs and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a): As reported by the Lakshadweep Administration, 3,257 fishermen are registered in the Union
Territory, and 1,747 fishing vessels are available, including both traditional and mechanised
boats. These comprise: (i) 1,538 motorized non‑mechanical traditional OBM boats, (ii) 192
non‑motorized traditional crafts, and (iii) 17 motorized mechanical boats
(b): As reported by the Lakshadweep Administration, fish production in Lakshadweep during
the last three financial years, year-wise and species-wise, is furnished at Annexure-I
(c) and (d): The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) has been implementing Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) across all States and Union Territories (UTs), including the
UT of Lakshadweep, since 2020-21. In addition, the UT Administration operates its own scheme
aimed at livelihood support, modernization of fishing operations, and market improvement. Under
the PMMSY, during 2020-21 and 2025-26, the DoF, GoI, has approved project proposals worth
Rs. 62.43 Crore to the UT of Lakshadweep, with a central share of Rs. 44.20 Crore.The approved projects include the establishment of cold storages and ice plants with capacities
of 5‑ton, 10‑ton, and 20‑ton; construction of fish kiosks to improve local retail infrastructure; and
the provision of three‑wheelers and motorcycles fitted with ice boxes to enhance the hygienic
transport of fish. Support has also been extended for fish value‑addition units, acquisition of
deep‑sea fishing vessels for traditional fishermen, and promotion of recreational fisheries and
backyard ornamental fish rearing. To enhance safety and efficiency at sea, assistance is being
provided for communication and tracking devices, including VHF sets, DAT, AND NAVIC
receivers, as well as for safety kits and for the replacement of traditional boats and nets.
Seaweed culture has also been promoted as a livelihood‑diversification activity, with financial
assistance provided for the adoption of mono‑line, tube‑net, and raft‑based cultivation methods.
Additionally, under the UT Scheme, financial assistance is provided for the construction of
fishing boats, thereby strengthening fishing infrastructure and livelihood security in the islands.
Moreover, in line with the Government’s cluster‑based approach for holistic fisheries
development and enhancement of fishers’ incomes and recognising the significant potential of
the seaweed sector for Lakshadweep’s overall economic growth, the Government of India has
notified a dedicated Seaweed Cluster in the Union Territory.
****ANNEXURE-I
Statement referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1675 regarding
Fishing in UT of Lakshadweep for answer on 10th February, 2026 - fish production in
Lakshadweep during the last three financial years, year-wise and species-wise.
Total in Kg
Sl No. Species 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Pelagic Fishes
1 Yellow fin Tuna - Thunnus albacares 3213411 2968937 6659057
2 Skipjack - Katsuwonus pelamis 6426825 5623091 8019846
3 Kawa kawa - Euthinnus affinis 838281 608600 1301748
4 Frigate tuna - Auxis thazard 428293 399516 245175
5 Big eye - Thunnus obesus 409989 268903 95081
6 Dog-toothed tuna - Gymnosarda unicolor 97800 105997 68681
Total 11414599 9975044 16389588
7 Sail Fish - Istiophorus platyperus (Ola
111771
Meen) 139972 181757
8 Marlin - Makaira sp. (Kuthira Meen) 1397 10335 29855
9 Sword Fish - Xiohias sp. (Komban
2794
Choora) 23133 22299
Total 115962 173440 233911
10 Carrangids - Travelly (Kuluval) 261264 349662 283785
11 Baraccuda – Sphyraena sp.
27943
(Thirathakkadiyan) 29669 73210
12 Dolphin Fish - Coryphaena sp.
125740
(Amanoos) 143767 83210
13 Rainbow Runner - Elagatis bipinnulata
139714
(Shameen) 218920 157186
14 Flying Fish - Exocetus sp (Parava) 14998 48928 69288
15 Gar Fish - Belonidae sp (Karuthon) 279427 315679 230338
16 Half Beak - Hemirampus sp (Kudukka) 140987 123646 94651
17 Wahoo - Acanthocybium sp. (Ayakkura) 129914 232575 209939
18 Miscellaneous 279427 320808 357939
Total 1399414 1783654 1559546
Total Pelagic Fin Fishes 12929975 11932138 18183045
Demersal Fishes
19 Lutjanus gibbus (Shammali) 150020 158333 171712
20 Lutjanus bohar (Phulariam) 129135 140440 85674
21 Grouper - Epinephelus sp. (Chemmam) 136792 184877 112885
22 Lethrinidae - Emperor sp. (Metti) 113920 235477 133937
23 Gerridae (Phurachi) 104145 43734 61563
24 Mullidae - Goat Fish (Manakkam) 99655 174045 137727
Total 733667 936906 703498
24 Sharks (Shurav) 41914 48174 56999
25 Rays (Thirandi / Kotar) 55885 59667 37646
Total 97799 107841 94645
26 Octopus (Appal) 69857 51923 31198
27 Miscellaneous 140060 184086 91533
Total 209917 236009 122731
Total Demersal Fishes (5) +(6) +(7) 1041383 1280756 920874
Grand Total (4) + (8) 13971358 13212894 19103919
Grand Total (Tonne) 13971.3 13213 19104