Parliament Question: Post-Harvest Loss and Bycatch from Marine Fisheries

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3796 ANSWERED ON 11/08/2026 POST-HARVEST LOSS AND BYCATCH FROM MARINE FISHERIES 3796. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) the estimated post-harvest loss and bycatch from marine fisheries in coastal Karnataka; (b) the projects supported for ice, cold chain, processing and conversion of bycatch into food, feed or other products; (c) the number of beneficiaries, capacity created and utilisation thereof; and (d) the measures taken by the Government to improve value realisation and reduce waste at Mangaluru fishing harbour and adjoining centres? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) during the year 2023-24 carried out a comprehensive study through the National Productivity Council of India (NPC), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Commerce and Industry to assess post-harvest losses in fisheries and aquaculture sector. The study estimated post-harvest loss in marine fisheries in Karnataka between 6.21% to 10.13%. Further, Government of Karnataka has also reported that as per the studies done by the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology(CIFT) the estimated post-harvest loss is around 6%. It is also reported by Government of Karnataka that as per the studies done by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) the bycatch was reported around 20-40% based on the type of gear and craft used in marine fisheries. (b) to (d): The DoF, GoI, under its schemes and policy accords high priory towards strengthening cold chain facilities, reduction of bycatch and efficient utilization of fish harvested. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), implemented by the DoF, GoI envisages support towards creation and modernization of post-harvest and cold chain infrastructure to reduce post- harvest losses, improve value realization, enhance shelf life of fishes harvested. The DoF, GoI encourages adoption of sustainable measures to minimize marine bycatch. Concurrently, States/Union Territories (UTs) are also encouraged towards optimal and value-added utilizationof all harvested resources, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and promoting a circular economy in the fisheries sector. During last five years and current financial year (FY 2026-27) under PMMSY, the DoF, GoI has accorded approval to the fisheries development proposals of Government of Karnataka with a total project cost amounting to ₹ 1053.60 crore. The approved activities inter-alia also included cold chain facilities like establishment of Ice plants/cold storages (126 units.), post-harvest transportation units (1065 units) which included refrigerated vehicles, insulated vehicles, motor cycle with ice boxes, cycle with ice boxes, three wheelers with ice boxes etc., live fish vending centres (46 units), fish kiosks (100 units), fish retail market (1 unit), matsya vahini mobile eco- friendly fish kiosks (300 units) and state of art whole sale fish market (1 unit). Under PMMSY, identification and selection of beneficiaries are carried out by the respective State Governments. The Government of Karnataka has informed that 171 beneficiaries have been supported under the cold chain infrastructure component of PMMSY. Under PMMSY, the DoF, GoI has approved modernization and upgradation of Mangaluru Fishing Harbour at project cost of ₹ 37.47 crore which envisages improved berthing facilities, modern fish landing and auction infrastructure, hygienic fish handling areas, upgraded water supply, sanitation and waste management facilities, and upgraded harbour utilities to minimize handling losses and improve fish quality. In addition, in the adjoining areas projects namely modernization of Gangolli Fishing Harbour (₹ 22.18 crore) and Malpe Fishing Harbour (₹ 12.52 crore) has also been approved for providing similar facilities. Government of Karnataka has also informed that fishermen are encouraged to use Square-mesh cod-end trawl nets (35 mm) to allow juveniles to escape, and to install Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets to allow turtles to escape; both measures aimed towards conservation and sustainable fisheries. *****