**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's schemes for developing the fisheries sector in Kerala, including financial allocations, beneficiary numbers, and support provided to the fishing community. Key schemes include the Blue Revolution Scheme, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) extension, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY). The information covers the last ten years, with a focus on the last five years under PMMSY.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Government Schemes and Initiatives:**
* The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India, implements schemes for holistic fisheries development in all States/UTs, including Kerala.
* Major schemes include:
* Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16 to 2019-20)
* Kisan Credit Card (KCC) extension to fisheries (since 2018-19)
* Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) (2018-19 to 2025-26)
* Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (2020-21 to 2024-25)
* Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY) (2023-24 to 2026-27)
* Core objectives include enhancing fish production, ensuring resource sustainability, strengthening the value chain, generating employment, and improving the safety, security, and socio-economic well-being of fishers and fish farmers.
* **Financial Assistance to Kerala:**
* The Department of Fisheries has approved fisheries development projects worth Rs. 1790.00 crore for Kerala in the last 10 years.
* Under PMMSY (2020-21 to 2024-25), projects worth Rs. 1347.55 crore were approved for Kerala.
* **Beneficiaries and Livelihood Support:**
* Approximately 2,12,348 beneficiaries in Kerala have received subsidies under various government schemes in the last 10 years.
* Around 10,26,752 beneficiaries in Kerala have received livelihood support during fishing ban periods in the last 10 years.
* **Infrastructure and Development Projects under PMMSY:**
* Approved activities include:
* New Rearing/Grow-Out Ponds, Biofloc Ponds, Brackish Water Aquaculture
* Fish Brood Bank, Ornamental Fish Rearing and Breeding Units
* Deep Sea Fishing Vessels, Cages in Reservoirs, Bivalve Cultivation, RAS units, Biofloc culture units
* Integrated Development of Reservoirs, Ice Plants/Cold Storages, Post-Harvest Transportation Units
* Live Fish Vending Centers, Fish Feed Mills, Value Added Enterprise, Retail Markets, Fish Kiosks
* Replacement of Boats and Nets for traditional fishermen
* Extension and Support Services under Matsya Seva Kendras (MSK), Sagar Mitras
* Livelihood Support during Fishing Ban Period
* Expansion/Upgradation/Modernization/Maintenance of Fishing Harbours
* Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages, Climate Resilient Villages, Wholesale Fish Markets
* Installation of Artificial Reef units, Aquatic Referral Lab, Disease Diagnostic and Quality Testing Lab
* **Vessel Communication and Support System:**
* A national rollout plan for installing transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels, with an outlay of Rs. 364 Crores under PMMSY.
* 12,711 transponders allocated for installation in Kerala.
* **Additional Support:**
* Development of Arthungal Fishing Harbor in Kerala approved under FIDF.
* 10,291 KCC cards sanctioned to fishers in Kerala.
* Kerala does not utilize fishermen insurance under PMMSY, as it has its own state-level insurance scheme.
**Impact Analysis**
**Kerala State Government:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing the approved fisheries development projects and selecting beneficiaries at the ground level. Also responsible for the distribution of transponders.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing approved projects, ensure proper beneficiary selection, oversee transponder installation, and maintain its state-level insurance scheme for fishermen.
**Fishers and Fish Farmers in Kerala:**
* *Impact:* Beneficiaries of subsidies, livelihood support, infrastructure development, and safety measures.
* *Action Required:* Apply for and utilize available subsidies and support, participate in training and awareness programs, and adopt sustainable fishing practices.
**Department of Fisheries, Government of India:**
* *Impact:* Oversees the implementation of fisheries development schemes and provides financial assistance to Kerala.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring the progress of approved projects, ensure effective utilization of funds, and provide necessary guidance and support to the Kerala State Government.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: A state in India, focus of the fisheries development schemes mentioned in the document.
Department of Fisheries, Government of India: The central government department responsible for implementing fisheries development schemes.
Blue Revolution Scheme: A scheme implemented from 2015-16 to 2019-20 for the development of the fisheries sector.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC): A credit scheme extended to fisheries since 2018-19 to provide financial assistance to fishers and fish farmers.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): A fund established from 2018-19 to 2025-26 to develop infrastructure for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 for the sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY): A Central Sector Sub-scheme implemented from 2023-24 to 2026-27 under PMMSY.
Arthungal Fishing Harbor: A fishing harbor in Kerala which is being developed under the FIDF scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2554
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05TH AUGUST, 2025
Schemes for Development of Fisheries Sector in Kerala
2554. Shri M K Raghavan:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the schemes launched by the Government for the development of
the fisheries sector;
(b) the details and the number of beneficiaries who have received subsidies under
various Government schemes during the last ten years in Kerala; and
(c) the details of support provided to the fishing community in Kerala including
insurance and other assistance?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) is implementing
various schemes for holistic development of fisheries sector in all States/UTs
including Kerala. The major schemes include Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16 to
2019-20), extending Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisheries (since 2018-19), Fisheries
and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) (2018-19 to 2025-26),
‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY)’ (2020-21 to 2024-25), and a
new Central Sector Sub-scheme viz. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-
Yojana (PM-MKSSY) (2023-24 to 2026-27). Enhancing fish production, ensuring
sustainability of resources, strengthening of value chain, employment generation,
safety & security of fishers and socio-economic wellbeing of fishers and fish farmers
have been the core of these initiatives.
(b): During last 10 years, Department of Fisheries, Government of India has
approved fisheries developmental projects amounting to Rs.1790.00 crore to Kerala
towards development of fisheries. The implementation of activities, including
selection of beneficiaries at the ground level are taken up by the respective State
Government. The Government of Kerala has informed that during last 10 years
about 2,12,348 number of beneficiaries have received subsidies under various
Government schemes. In addition about 10,26,752 beneficiaries in Kerala have
received livelihood support as relief measure during fishing ban period over a period
of last 10 years.(c): During last 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25) under Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has
approved fisheries developmental proposals of Government of Kerala amounting to
Rs. 1347.55 crore. The major activities approved included New Rearing & Grow-Out
Ponds (89 ha), Biofloc Ponds (22.5 ha), Brackish Water Aquaculture (172 ha), Fish
Brood Bank (1 unit), Ornamental Fish Rearing and Breeding Units (822 units), Deep
Sea Fishing Vessels (20 units), Cages in Reservoirs (493 units), Bivalve Cultivation
(1140 units), Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) (708 units), Biofloc culture
units (780 units), Integrated Development of Reservoirs (7 Nos), Ice Plants/Cold
Storages (16 units), Post-Harvest Transportation Units(468 units), Live Fish Vending
Centres (77 units), Fish Feed Mills (5 units), Value Added Enterprise (10 units),
Retail Markets (5 units), Fish Kiosks (90 units), Replacement of Boats and Nets to
traditional fishermen(200 units), Extension and Support Services under Matsya
Seva Kendras (MSK) (10 units), Sagar Mitras (222 Nos), Livelihood Support during
Fishing Ban Period (1,71,033 Nos), Expansion of Fishing Harbours (2 Nos),
Upgradation and Modernization of Fishing Harbours (3 Nos), Maintenance,
Dredging of existing Fishing Harbours (6 Nos). Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing
Villages (9 Nos), Climate Resilient Villages (6 Nos), Wholesale Fish Markets (2 Nos),
installation of Artificial Reef units along the Kerala coast (42 units), Aquatic Referral
Lab (1 unit) and Disease Diagnostic and Quality Testing Lab (1 unit).
A National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System for
installation of transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels has also been rolled
out with an outlay of Rs. 364 Crores under PMMSY in all coastal States and UTs
including Kerala. As per the request made by Government of Kerala 12,711 Nos of
transponders have been allocated for installation in Kerala.
In addition, under the FIDF, the Department of Fisheries, GoI has approved
development of Arthungal Fishing Harbor in Kerala. Further, as on date 10,291 Nos
of KCC cards have been sanctioned to the fishers beneficiaries in Kerala.
Government of Kerala has not availed assistance for fishermen insurance under
PMMSY as the State is implementing its own insurance scheme at state level.
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