**Executive Summary:**
This document addresses concerns regarding the livelihood challenges faced by fishermen in Kerala due to declining fish catches and proposed deep-sea sand mining. It outlines steps taken by the Government of India and the State Government of Kerala to improve fish stocks and ensure sustainable fishing practices. It also addresses the regulatory framework for offshore mining activities and the measures in place to protect the interests of fishing communities, including environmental impact assessments and the establishment of the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Fishery Resource Assessment:**
* The potential of fishery resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is regularly estimated by an expert committee.
* The marine fishery resources in the Indian EEZ are estimated at 5.31 million tons as per the 2018 report.
* Actual harnessing is below potential yield.
* Kerala's marine fish production declined from 0.69 million tons in 2022-23 to 0.58 million tons in 2023-24.
* **Measures to Improve Fish Stocks and Marine Ecosystem:**
* Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
* Installation of Artificial Reefs.
* Promotion of sea ranching.
* Adoption of mariculture, including seaweed cultivation.
* **Sustainability Measures:**
* 61-day uniform fishing ban in the Indian EEZ, annually.
* Ban on destructive fishing practices.
* Declaration of marine protected areas (MPAs).
* Protection of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species.
* Installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
* Fishing gear and mesh size regulations.
* Minimum legal size (MLS) of fishes.
* Spatial and temporal restrictions.
* Zonation of fishing areas by coastal States/UTs.
* **Offshore Mining Regulation:**
* The Offshore Areas Mineral and Development Act, 2002, is in effect since 2010.
* Successful bidders for composite licenses must undertake exploration as per the Offshore Areas Existence of Mineral Resources Rules (OAEMRR), 2024.
* Preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are required for exploration.
* Grant of production lease considered after exploration.
* Production operations must follow a production plan, including an environmental management plan (EMP).
* Concerns of fishermen and local communities will be addressed during the preparation of the production plan and EMP.
* **Offshore Areas Mineral Trust:**
* Established on 09.08.2024 as a nonprofit autonomous body.
* Coastal States are members of the Governing Body and Executive Committee.
* Funds used for research, administrative activities, mitigating ecological impacts, disaster relief, and supporting those affected by exploration and production.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Traditional Fishermen in Kerala**
* **Impact:** Livelihood impacted by declining fish catches and potential ecological and economic effects of deep-sea sand mining.
* **Action Required:** Engage with government initiatives for sustainable fishing and voice concerns during the environmental impact assessment process for mining projects.
* **State Government of Kerala**
* **Impact:** Responsible for collaborating with the central government to improve fish stocks and address concerns related to mining activities.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the Governing Body and Executive Committee of the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust. Implement sustainable fishing practices and mitigation measures.
* **Ministry of Mines**
* **Impact:** Responsible for regulating offshore mining activities and ensuring environmental safeguards.
* **Action Required:** Ensure that environmental impact assessments are conducted. Address concerns of fishermen and local communities during the preparation of the production plan and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
* **Composite License Holders (Mining Companies)**
* **Impact:** Required to adhere to environmental regulations and production plan requirements.
* **Action Required:** Undertake exploration as per OAEMRR, conduct preliminary EIA studies, and develop a production plan including an EMP.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: State in India where traditional fishermen face livelihood challenges due to declining fish catches and proposed deep-sea sand mining.
Department of Fisheries, Government of India: The department responsible for estimating fishery resource potential and related matters.
Indian Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ: The sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana PMMSY: A scheme for fisheries sector development.
Ministry of Mines, Government of India: The ministry responsible for the Offshore Areas Mineral and Development Act, 2002 and related regulations.
Offshore Areas Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 2002: Legislation related to mineral development in offshore areas.
Offshore Areas Mineral Trust: A nonprofit autonomous body established to address ecological impacts and support individuals affected by exploration and production operations in offshore areas.
Environmental Impact Assessment EIA: A study to assess the environmental consequences of a proposed project or policy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2621
TO BE ANSWERED ON 5th AUGUST, 2025
Livelihood Challenges for Fishermen in Kerala
2621. Shri K Sudhakaran:
Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the serious livelihood challenges faced by traditional
fishermen in Kerala due to declining fish catches and the proposed deep-sea sand mining
projects of the Kerala coast;
(b) the steps taken to address the concerns raised by the fishing community and the State
Government of Kerala regarding the ecological and economic impact of such mining
activities; and
(c) whether any comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been
conducted by the Government prior to approval of project and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a) to (c): The potential of fishery resources are estimated by committee of experts constituted
by Department of Fisheries, Government of India in regular intervals to ascertain the status of
fish stocks and revalidation of the potential yield of the fishery resources in the Indian
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). As per the latest report of the Expert Committee for
Revalidation of Potential Fishery Resources (2018), the marine fishery resources in the Indian
EEZ are estimated at 5.31 million tones. Against this potential, the average harnessing of
marine fishery resources was about 4.0 million tons during the last 5 years (2019-20 to 2023-
24), which is below the annual potential yield of 5.31 million tons. The over-all marine fish
production of India increased from 4.43 million tones in 2022-23 to 4.49 million tones in 2023-
24. However, the marine fish production from the Kerala coast has declined from 0.69 million
tones in 2022-23 to 0.58 million tones in 2023-24. The Government of India along with State
Government of Kerala, has taken several steps to improving the fish stocks and enhance the
marine ecosystem such as installation of Artificial Reefs and promotion of sea ranching,
adoption of mariculture including seaweed cultivation etc. under the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)”. Besides, in order to ensure sustainability of the fisheries, several
measrures are taken that include (i) Implementation of 61 days uniform ban on fishing in the
Indian EEZ, annually, (ii) Ban on destructive fishing practices in the Indian EEZ viz. paired
bottom trawling or bull trawling and use of artificial and LED lights in fishing, (iii) Declaration
of marine protected areas (MPAs) and protection of endangered, threatened and protected
(ETP) species (iv) Installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, fishing gear
and mesh-size regulations, minimum legal size (MLS) of fishes, spatial and temporal
restrictions, zonation of fishing areas by the coastal States/UTs, etc.The Ministry of Mines, Government of India enacted the Offshore Areas Mineral and
Development Act, 2002, which came into effect in 2010. The successful bidder of composite
license is required to undertake exploration in the offshore area as per the Offshore Areas
Existence of Mineral Resources Rules (OAEMRR), 2024. One of the requirements for
exploration includes the requirement for preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA)
studies. Thereafter, grant of production lease to Composite License Holder may be
considered by the Government.
Further, as per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development
Rules, 2024, no production operations shall be undertaken except in accordance with a
production plan. The production plan, inter alia, includes environment management plan
indicating baseline information, impact assessment and mitigation measures.
Ministry of Mines has informed that, in order to protect the livelihood and safeguard the interest
of fisherfolks, the concerns of fishermen and local communities will be specially addressed
during the preparation of the production plan and Environmental Management Plan (EMP),
which every lessee is mandated under the rules to submit before commencing exploration or
production operations.
Besides, Section 16A of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002
provides for establishment of Offshore Areas Mineral Trust as a non-profit autonomous body.
Accordingly, the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been established vide S.O. 3246(E) dated
09.08.2024. The coastal States have been made members of the Governing Body and
Executive Committee of the Trust. The funds accruing to the Trust shall, inter alia, be used
for research, administrative activities, studies and related expenditure with respect to offshore
areas; for mitigating ecological impacts resulting from operational activities; for disaster relief
in offshore zones; and for supporting individuals affected by exploration and production
operations.
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