Parliament Question: World Fisheries Day

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 236 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2025 World Fisheries Day *236. Shri Sudheer Gupta:

Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be

pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has recently unveiled the ‘National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025’ on the occasion of World Fisheries Day;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the aims and objectives of the framework;

(c) whether the Government has introduced any mechanism for implementing digital traceability systems across fishing vessels, aquaculture farms, processing units and supply chains, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has initiated any pilot projects or collaborations with States/UTs for the rollout of the framework and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to support fishermen, aquaculture farmers and related stakeholders in adopting this new system? ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (e): A Statement is placed on the Table of the House. ***Statement referred to in reply to the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *236 for reply on 16.12.2025 put in by Shri Sudheer Gupta and Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Members of Parliament regarding ‘World Fisheries Day’

(a) to (e): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has undertaken different schemes and programmes namely Blue Revolution, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund

(FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) from 2015-16 for development of fisheries sector in the country with an investment worth ₹38,572 crore.

As a result of the concerted efforts of Government through these schemes and well- thought policies, the annual fish production has increased to 195 lakh tonne (p) (FY 2024-

25) from 95.79 lakh tonne (FY 2013-14) registering growth of 103%. The Seafood exports have also doubled from ₹30,213 crore in 2014-15 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25 registering growth of 107%, with share of value-added products rising from 2% to 11%.

Under PMMSY, during 2020-21 to 2024-25, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has so far approved fisheries development proposals worth ₹21,274.16 crore with central share of ₹9,189.79 crore. To enhance India’s global competitiveness in fisheries sector, the PMMSY supports a basket of interventions/activities along the fisheries value chain including quality fish production, expansion, diversification and intensification of brackish water aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species, infusion of technology, robust disease management and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure with seamless cold chain, development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres etc. During last five years, the PMMSY has contributed significantly in overall growth of the fisheries and aquaculture especially, (i) increase of annual fish production from 141.64 lakh tonne in 2019-20 to 195 lakh tonne (p) in 2024-25 registering growth of 38%, (ii) increase in fisheries export from ₹46,662.85 crore in 2019-20 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25 registering growth of 34%.

To take forward the achievements of PMMSY, on the occasion of World Fisheries Day i.e. 21st November, 2025, the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025 was released as a sub activity under PM-MKSSY with the aims and objectives to establish a national digital traceability system across the fisheries and aquaculture value chains, ensure regulatory compliance for both domestic standards and international requirements for fish and fishery products, promote food safety and quality assurance, bring transparency, accountability and enhancing consumer confidence, facilitate market access for small-scale fishers and farmers in domestic and international trade ultimately boosting export.

As the framework has been launched recently on 21.11.2025, it does not warrant any review at this stage. Besides, the Department of Fisheries has not undertaken any pilot projects on traceability so far. The framework provides for a National Level Governance Committee (NLGC) as an apex body providing strategic oversight, inter-agency coordination and policy guidance to ensure the effective implementation of the framework.

It also provides for an Adoption Committee under the overall guidance of NLGC to recommend mechanism for adoption of IT based national traceability system in fisheries and aquaculture by different stakeholders including fishermen, aquaculture farmers and related stakeholders. Further, it also provides for adequate support for training and capacity building of the stakeholders particularly small-scale operators for adoption of the digital traceability framework.

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