Parliament Question: National Integrated Policy for Fishing Community

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4029 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH MARCH, 2026 National Integrated Policy for Fishing Community 4029. Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has prepared a national integrated policy addressing education, livelihood, housing and social security of fishing communities and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for continued sectoral neglect; (b) whether income levels of traditional fishermen have been officially assessed after implementation of existing schemes, if so, the findings thereof and if not, the reasons for absence of measurable outcome evaluation mechanisms, State-wise; (c) whether educational scholarships and hostel facilities are provided for children of fishing communities to reduce school dropouts, if so, the details of allocation and beneficiaries and if not, the reasons therefor; (d) whether skill-development programmes linked to modern fishing technology, processing, export management and marine entrepreneurship have been expanded in the country, if so, the outcomes of the training thereof and if not, the reasons for limited outreach; and (e) whether institutional credit access through Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and cooperative financing has effectively reduced dependence on private lenders among fishermen and if so, the assessment reports in this regard and if not, the corrective steps proposed by the Government in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (c): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen in the country with an investment of Rs.20,750 crore in all States/ Union Territories. The scheme inter-alia envisages several welfare activities for fishers and fish farmers including (i) Group Accidental Insurance Coverage of Rs.5.00 lakh against death or permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50 lakh against permanent partial disability and Rs. 25,000 against accidental hospitalization and (ii) livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fisher’s families for conservation of fish resources during fishing ban/lean period wherein assistance is provided @Rs.3000/- per fisher during fishing ban/lean period.Besides, the Government of India with effect from the year 2019 has also extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements. In order to address the infrastructure requirement for fisheries sector, the Union Government of India during 2018-19 has also created the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total funds size of Rs 7522.48 crore. While no specific survey has been carried out to assess average income of fishers during the last five years, the initiatives taken by the Government of India have been contributing towards augmentation of fish production, productivity, quality to meet the consumer demands and preference and export thereby attributing to enhancement of income of fishers & fish farmers. During the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25), fish production increased from 141.64 lakh tonne in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonne in 2024-25. Similarly, seafood exports have also increased from Rs.46,666 crore (2019-20) to Rs.62,408 crore (2024-25). (d): PMMSY inter-alia lays special focus on training, skill development, skill up-gradation and capacity building through trainings, awareness building programmes and exposure visits to stakeholders especially fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors, entrepreneurs, officials, fisheries Cooperatives and members of FFPOs etc. Under this component, exclusive training is provided to marine fishermen on Deep Sea fishing, on- board fish handling by Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training (CIFNET). A total 8040 fishermen have been trained through these programs for enhancing India’s capacity building in Deep Sea fishing. Fishery Survey of India (FSI) under Department of Fisheries, Government of India also conduct comprehensive skill training and capacity-building programmes to promote adoption of deep-sea fishing technologies, with special emphasis on deep-sea tuna longlining and sashimi-grade tuna handling. FSI also provide hands-on exposure to monofilament longline operations (setting and hauling), gear configuration, and efficient deck management. The National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) also provides training in best post-harvest fish utilization and consumption with the least post-harvest losses and delivery of the best quality fish and fish products. (e): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has been actively promoting Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for fishers and fish farmers through various nationwide initiatives since the scheme was extended to the fisheries sector. To achieve saturation targets under KCC fisheries, States/UTs have designated field officers, officials, and local resource persons from various departments and agencies, including State Fisheries Departments and Fisheries Cooperatives, to provide handholding support for the identification of eligible fishers and fish farmers, documentation, and facilitating loan access. States/UTs have been advised to regularly monitor the progress of KCC saturation, follow up with banks to resolve any issues, and ensure early sanction of KCC to eligible beneficiaries. Regular review meetings have been conducted with all stakeholders to assess the progress of KCC saturation drives. The DoF has been making concerted efforts to increase coverage of fishers and fish farmers by organizing special drives, sensitization programs, mass and individual extension activities such as pamphlet distribution, awareness campaigns in vernacular languages, newspaper articles, advertisements, and other outreach measures. ***