Parliament Question: Livelihood Crisis among Traditional Fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 455 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22nd JULY, 2025 Livelihood Crisis among Traditional Fisherfolk in Tamil Nadu 455. Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian: Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state: (a) the details of compensation paid to Tamil Nadu Fishers affected by Sri Lankan Navy actions since 2022 and steps taken by the Government for their protection; (b) whether it is a fact that allocation to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for Tamil Nadu has decreased in 2024–25 compared to the previous years; (c) the action being taken by the Government to address the livelihood crisis among traditional fisherfolk due to industrial aquaculture and port expansion in Tamil Nadu; and (d) whether the Centre will support Tamil Nadu’s demand for a special package for the mechanised and artisanal fishing sector? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN) (a): Government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. The Government has been consistently taking up these issues, including the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and fishing boats, with the Sri Lankan Government through bilateral mechanisms, diplomatic channels, and various official interactions at highest levels. In all our interactions, it has been conveyed that this issue may be considered purely on humanitarian and livelihood grounds. All issues related to fishermen are dealt with bilateral institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group on Fisheries, which includes representatives from the Government of Tamil Nadu. The last JWG meeting on fisheries was held on 29 October 2024. Further, Indian Missions and Consulates make regular visits to local jails and detention centers to ascertain the condition of Indian fishermen and provide requisite support and legal assistance to ensure their well- being and assist in their early release and repatriation. The concerted efforts of the Government has resulted in the release and repatriation of 694 fishermen since 2024. Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that an amount of Rs.19.60 crore has been disbursed from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund as compensation to the owners of 309 mechanised fishing boats and 51 motorised country boats that were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Government and are considered irretrievable. An amount of Rs.1.38 crore has been provided as daily relief to 918 families of apprehended fishermen to support their livelihood during the period of detention in Sri Lankan jail.(b): Under PMMSY, the DoF, GoI during the last five financial years (FY) (2020-21 to 2024- 25) has sanctioned projects worth Rs.1157.09 crore to State Government of Tamil Nadu with Rs.448.65 crore of central share. Besides, an additional fund of Rs.262.42 crore released from Government of India for implementation of Blue revolution Scheme (during 2017-18) was also available with Government of Tamil Nadu for implementation of the projects approved under PMMSY. (c): Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that sea protection measures like sea protection wall, groins installation, artificial reef installation, open sea cage culture activities are being taken in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu to encourage the local fishermen and to improve their livelihood. Under PMMSY schemes, the following beneficiary oriented schemes have been sanctioned under mariculture and coastal aquaculture activities and the schemes are under implementation for developing the livelihood of traditional fisherfolk. (i) Construction of New Ponds and Inputs for Brackishwater Aquaculture at total project cost of Rs.599.20 Lakh, (ii) Construction of New Ponds and Inputs for Seabass culture at total project cost of Rs.61.60 Lakh, (iii) Construction of Bio-floc Ponds and inputs at total project cost of Rs.443.20 Lakh, (iv) Establishment of Open Sea Cages at total project cost of Rs.263.80 Lakh and (v) Seaweed Culture through Rafts and Monoline at total project cost of Rs.213.95 Lakh (d): DoF, GoI has earmarked funds under the PMMSY for replacement of fishing boats and nets for traditional fishermen and the projects are considered and approved as proposed by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Government of India in its erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Blue Revolution, introduced a sub-component namely, ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’ which aimed to promote the traditional fishers in Deep Sea Fishing. Under the said scheme, an amount of Rs. 300 crore has been sanctioned and released to the Government of Tamil Nadu in financial year 2017-18 for providing 750 deep-sea fishing vessels to traditional fishers of Tamil Nadu especially giving preference to traditional fishers of the Palk Bay Districts and for construction of a Fish Landing Centre at Kunthakal in Rameshwaram District of Tamil Nadu. As informed by Government of Tamil Nadu, under the Blue Revolution Scheme 77 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels have been handed over to the beneficiaries till date. In addition, financial assistance is provided under the PMMSY for activities like Deep Sea Fishing Vessels, Seaweed cultivation, Cage Culture and Sea- ranching in order to reduce fishing pressure in the Palk Bay area and to reduce the conflict of cross border fishing. The DoF, GoI has approved a project for establishment of Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs.127.71 crore in Ramanathapuram and Pudukkottai Districts, to provide alternate livelihood to the fishers of Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam Districts through seaweed farming. *****