Parliament Question: Promotion of Cooperative Deep Sea Fishing

**Executive Summary** This document presents the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying's response to questions in Lok Sabha regarding the promotion of cooperative deep sea fishing. It details the objectives and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), including the financial support and collaborative efforts involved. The ultimate goal is to empower traditional fishermen, enhance fish exports, and ensure sustainable resource management. The credit guarantee facility under FIDF was extended for 3 years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26). **Key Points / Main Content** * **Initiative Overview:** * The Department of Fisheries is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to enhance the fisheries sector and the well-being of fishers and fish farmers. * A key objective of PMMSY is to empower traditional and small-scale fishers to engage in deep-sea fishing. * **Financial Support and Collaboration:** * PMMSY provides financial support to traditional fishers for acquiring and upgrading deep-sea fishing vessels. * The Department of Fisheries collaborates with the Ministry of Cooperation through a Joint Working Group (JWG) to promote small-scale fishermen's participation in deep-sea fishing. * The Ministry of Cooperation supports the initiative by strengthening cooperative institutions and facilitating access to cooperative credit through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). * **Funding and Implementation:** * PMMSY is being implemented with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore from Financial Year 2020-21. * The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) is also being implemented with a fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore since 2018-19. * The Government has approved providing a credit guarantee facility under the FIDF, extended for 3 years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26). * **PMMSY and FIDF Provisions:** * PMMSY supports livelihood strengthening activities, including providing boats, nets, communication devices, sea-safety kits, insurance, deep-sea fishing vessels, alternative livelihood activities, training, and cold-chain and marketing facilities. * The scheme includes the construction of Fishing Harbours and Fish Landing Centres. * FIDF provides concessional finance for fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure development, including fishing harbours, landing centres, deep-sea fishing vessels, cold chain facilities, and fish markets. * **Expected Outcomes:** * The initiatives aim to support coastal livelihood empowerment. * The initiatives aim to grow fish exports. * The initiatives aim to achieve sustainable resource management. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Traditional and Small-Scale Fishers** * **Impact:** Empowered to engage in deep-sea fishing through financial and infrastructural support. * **Action Required:** Utilize available financial assistance for acquiring and upgrading fishing vessels; participate in training and skill development programs. **Stakeholder: Fishermen and Fish Farmers** * **Impact:** Beneficiaries of the PMMSY which aims to enhance the overall growth of the fisheries sector and wellbeing of the fishers and fish farmers. * **Action Required:** No immediate action. **Stakeholder: Government of India (Department of Fisheries and Ministry of Cooperation)** * **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and overseeing the PMMSY and FIDF, collaborating on initiatives, and providing financial support. * **Action Required:** Continue implementing programs, ensure effective collaboration, and allocate resources efficiently. **Stakeholder: State Governments/Union Territories** * **Impact:** Implement fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure development projects. * **Action Required:** Use FIDF to develop facilities. **Stakeholder: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)** * **Impact:** Provides cooperative credit for the initiative. * **Action Required:** No immediate action.

Key Entities Referenced