**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's responses to questions regarding the fisheries sector, covering post-harvest losses, pollution, habitat destruction, climate change impacts, deep-sea trawling, aquaculture expansion, and sustainable practices. A study in 2023-24 assessed post-harvest losses. The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is mapping pollution hotspots, and the Department of Fisheries is coordinating with other ministries on habitat management.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Post-Harvest Losses:**
* A 2023-24 study by the National Productivity Council of India (NPC) revealed average post-harvest losses of 9.3% for marine fisheries and 8.84% for inland fisheries.
* Losses are attributed to inadequate cold chain infrastructure, poor handling practices, and market access delays.
* **Pollution Hotspots:**
* The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is conducting a nationwide survey to identify pollution hotspots (plastic, sewage, chemical runoff) using GIS mapping.
* Findings will inform mitigation measures, policy interventions, and awareness programs.
* **Habitat Destruction:**
* The Department of Fisheries coordinates with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on fisheries development and management.
* **Climate Change and Assistance to Fishers:**
* The government is implementing schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) to assist fishers.
* Kisan Credit facilities are also available.
* **Deep Sea Trawling:**
* Paired bottom trawling (bull trawling) and the use of LED lights are banned in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
* Maritime States/UTs have been advised to prevent these practices.
* Coastal states have amended their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs) to mandate the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
* The PMMSY scheme supports TED implementation with financial assistance.
* **Aquaculture Expansion:**
* The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) promotes a cluster-based approach using zoning to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector.
* **Extension and Advisory Services:**
* The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) conducts training, workshops, and awareness programs on responsible fishing methods, bycatch reduction, habitat protection, and compliance.
* FSI promotes climate-resilient technologies like fuel-efficient engines and improved fish handling.
* Scientific advisories on fish distribution, resource availability, and weather warnings are disseminated.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Fishers and Fish Farmers:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from financial assistance schemes, training programs, and advisories on sustainable practices and climate-resilient technologies. They are also affected by regulations on fishing methods.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available schemes (PMMSY, FIDF, PMMKSSY, Kisan Credit), adopt sustainable fishing practices, and adhere to regulations on trawling and gear usage.
* **Maritime States/Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for enforcing the ban on paired bottom trawling and LED lights, as well as ensuring the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
* *Action Required:* Enforce existing regulations, amend MFRAs as needed, and promote the use of TEDs.
* **Department of Fisheries, Government of India:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for coordinating efforts, implementing schemes, conducting surveys, and providing guidance to states/UTs.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing and monitoring schemes (PMMSY, FIDF, PMMKSSY), disseminate survey findings, and coordinate with other ministries.
* **Fishery Survey of India (FSI):**
* *Impact:* Plays a key role in conducting surveys, providing training, and disseminating information.
* *Action Required:* Continue conducting surveys on pollution hotspots, providing training on sustainable practices, and disseminating scientific advisories.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme by the Indian government for the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): A fund by the Indian government for infrastructure development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Fishery Survey of India (FSI): An organization conducting nationwide surveys to identify pollution hotspots affecting marine fisheries.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India: The sea zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which India has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.
National Productivity Council of India (NPC): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that conducted a study on post-harvest losses in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs): State-level regulations governing marine fishing activities. Coastal states are advised to amend their MFRAs to ensure mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs).
Turtle Excluder Device (TED): A selective device used in shrimp bottom trawls to reduce bycatch, particularly for marine turtle conservation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4147
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH AUGUST, 2025
Post Harvest Losses in Fisheries Sector
4147. Shri Manickam Tagore B:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any data on post-harvest losses in the fisheries sector due
to inadequate cold chain and transport infrastructure;
(b) whether a nationwide survey is being conducted to identify pollution hotspots such as
plastic, sewage or chemical runoff affecting marine and inland fisheries;
(c) whether the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is coordinating with
the Ministry of Environment to address habitat destruction due to coastal construction and
urbanization;
(d) whether there is any fund or scheme to assist fishers affected by monsoon
unpredictability or extreme weather events linked to climate change;
(e) whether any policy changes are proposed to regulate or phase out deep sea trawling,
which has adverse ecological and economic consequences;
(f) whether the Government has any plans to expand aquaculture zones and offer
incentives to counteract the shrinking of fish farming areas due to industrial and urban
expansion; and
(g) whether extension and advisory services are being strengthened to educate fishers
about sustainable practices and climate-resilient technologies?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during
the year 2023-24 has 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 studies reveal an
average post harvest loss of 9.3% for marine fisheries and 8.84% for inland fisheries. Further,
the study reported the high losses during handling and transportation due to inadequate cold
chain infrastructure, lack of hygienic handling practices and delays in market access.
(b) and (c) : The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is conducting nation-wide survey to identify the
hotspots for ALDFG in Indian coastal and offshore waters that adversely impact marine
fisheries. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping is being used to identify pinpoint and
categories hotspots by pollution type-plastic, sewage, or chemical runoff-along major fishing
grounds. The findings will support targeted mitigation measures, policy interventions, and
awareness programmes to safeguard fish stocks, fishing livelihoods, and overall marine
ecosystem health. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is coordinating with the
Central Ministries concerned including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
as and when required in the matter of fisheries development and management.(d): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has been implementing various
schemes for assisting fishers, fish farmers and other stakeholders for development of fisheries
and aquaculture including aquaculture crop insurance. The schemes include Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development
Fund (FIDF) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY). Besides,
the Kisan Credit facility is also provided to fishers and fish farmers to meet their capital
requirements.
(e): Paired bottom trawling or bull trawling and use of LED lights in fishing are banned in
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India. All the maritime States/UTs have also been
advised to take necessary steps to prevent pair or bull trawling and use of LED light for fishing
within and beyond the territorial waters. Bottom Trawling is a fishing method used to catch the
targeted benthic fishes and catch of Non-target species are reduced by the use of by-catch
reduction devices, which are selective devices, like the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) used in
shrimp Bottom trawls. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has advised to coastal
states/UTs to review and amend their respective MFRAs to ensure mandatory use of Turtle
Excluder Devices (TEDs) towards marine turtle conservation. All nine coastal states, namely
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West
Bengal have amended their MFRAs to mandate TED use. The UTs of Andaman & Nicobar
Islands and Lakshadweep do not permit fishing using bottom trawl. The implementation of TED
has been included and supported under the PMMSY scheme with 100% financial assistance
(60% Central + 40% State).
(f): The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) inter-alia provides adoption of a
cluster-based approach on the principle of zoning and organized manner to enhance the
competitiveness of the fisheries sector, facilitate economies of scale, generate higher incomes,
and accelerate the growth and expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in an organized manner.
(g) : The Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is conducting regular onboard training, regional
workshops and village-level awareness programmes focusing on responsible fishing methods,
bycatch reduction, protection of sensitive habitats, and compliance with marine fishing
regulations. FSI is also promoting climate-resilient technologies such as fuel-efficient engines,
energy-saving fishing gears, improved fish handling and preservation techniques to reduce
post-harvest losses. Scientific advisories on shifting fish distribution patterns, seasonal
resource availability and early warning of extreme weather events are disseminated through
local contacts to fisher networks. These initiatives aim to enhance the adaptive capacity of
fishing communities, ensure resource sustainability and improve livelihoods in the face of
climate change.
*****