**Summary:**
The Indian Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, has been implementing multiple schemes for the holistic development of the fisheries sector in Kerala. Key initiatives include the Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16 to 2019-20), extension of 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 Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) (2023-24 to 2026-27). These schemes focus on enhancing fish production, ensuring resource sustainability, strengthening the value chain, generating employment, and improving the socio-economic well-being of fishers and fish farmers.
Over the past decade, the DoF has approved fisheries development projects in Kerala totaling Rs. 1790.00 crore. The Government of Kerala reports that 2,12,348 beneficiaries have received subsidies under various government schemes, and approximately 10,26,752 beneficiaries have received livelihood support during fishing ban periods.
Under the PMMSY (2020-21 to 2024-25), the DoF has approved proposals from the Kerala government amounting to Rs. 1347.55 crore. Approved activities include the development of new rearing and grow-out ponds (89 ha), biofloc ponds (22.5 ha), brackish water aquaculture (172 ha), a 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), recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS) (708 units), biofloc culture units (780 units), integrated reservoir development (7 units), ice plants and cold storages (16 units), post-harvest transportation units (468 units), live fish vending centers (77 units), fish feed mills (5 units), value-added enterprises (10 units), retail markets (5 units), fish kiosks (90 units), boat and net replacement for traditional fishermen (200 units), extension and support services under Matsya Seva Kendras (MSK) (10 units), Sagar Mitras (222 units), livelihood support during fishing ban period (1,71,033 units), expansion of fishing harbors (2 units), upgradation and modernization of fishing harbors (3 units), maintenance and dredging of existing fishing harbors (6 units), integrated modern coastal fishing villages (9 units), climate-resilient villages (6 units), wholesale fish markets (2 units), installation of artificial reef units (42 units), an aquatic referral lab (1 unit), and a disease diagnostic and quality testing lab (1 unit).
A national rollout plan for a Vessel Communication and Support System, involving the installation of transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels, has been initiated with an outlay of Rs. 364 Crores under PMMSY, with 12,711 transponders allocated to Kerala. Furthermore, under the FIDF, the development of Arthungal Fishing Harbor in Kerala has been approved. To date, 10,291 KCC cards have been sanctioned to fishers in Kerala. The Government of Kerala has not availed assistance for fishermen insurance under PMMSY, as it operates its own state-level insurance scheme.
This information was provided by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on August 5, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry Dairying: The Union Ministry responsible for the development of the fisheries sector.
Kerala: A state in India that is the focus of 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: A credit scheme extended to fisheries since 2018-19 to provide financial assistance.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund: A fund (FIDF) established from 2018-19 to 2025-26 for infrastructure development in fisheries and aquaculture.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: A scheme (PMMSY) implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 for the holistic development of the fisheries sector.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi SahYojana: A central sector subscheme (PMMKSSY) from 2023-24 to 2026-27 focused on the prosperity of fish farmers.
Arthungal Fishing Harbor, Kerala: A fishing harbor in Kerala being developed under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Schemes for Development of Fisheries Sector in
Kerala
Posted On: 05 AUG 2025 4:10PM by PIB Delhi
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.
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.
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.This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 05th August, 2025.
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(Release ID: 2152513)