Small Scale Fishers under PMMSY

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Small Scale Fishers under PMMSY

Posted On: 17 MAR 2026 3:16PM by PIB Delhi As per the scientific report published by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in 2022, about 91.1% of India’s Marine Fish Stocks are in a healthy condition. While studies indicate interannual fluctuations due to climate and environmental variables, marine fish production has remained stable over the past five years, increased from 34.76 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 to 46.15 lakh tonnes in 2024- 25, with no evidence of decline in marine fish stocks in India’s coastal states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha.

To ensure sustainable fisheries management and prevent depletion of marine resources, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, works in close coordination with State/UT Governments and relevant environmental agencies. Key initiatives include the establishment of artificial reefs along India’s coastal waters, sea ranching programmes, promotion of seaweed farming, implementation of a uniform 61-day fishing ban during the major fish breeding period, and installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets to conserve sea turtles. Further, advisories are issued to States/UTs to implement measures to prevent juvenile fishing, such as mesh-size regulations and minimum legal sizes for capture under their respective Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs), to promote sustainable and responsible fishing practices. The Government of India has prohibited harmful fishing practices, such as pair or bull trawling, and the use of LED or artificial lights for fishing within the EEZ. In addition, the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) conducts awareness programs in coastal fishing villages across the country to educate fishers about the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Further, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, to promote sustainable management of the marine ecosystem while ensuring optimal utilization of untapped fishery resources in the EEZ.

(c) and (d) The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has been implementing the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) and in the current financial year (2025-

26) across all the States and Union Territories, including in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. The PMMSY envisages inclusive development, with increased financial assistance for small-scale fishers to bring them into the mainstream of fisheries development. During this period, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has accorded approval to fisheries development proposals at a total cost of Rs. 21274.13 crore, with a central share of Rs. 9189.74 crore. The key interventions and value chain projects/activities taken up to improve fish storage and transport infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and increase fisher incomes under this scheme include; 59 fishing harbours/fish landing centres, 734 ice plants/cold storages, 21 Modern wholesale fish markets including 2 Smart, Wholesale Fish Markets, 202 retail fish markets, 6410 fish kiosks, 27301 units of fish transportation facilities such as10924 motorcycles with ice boxes, 9412 bicycles with ice boxes, 3915 auto rickshaws, 1265 live fish vending units, 1406 insulated trucks and 379 refrigerated trucks. Further, other key interventions taken up

under this scheme include: boats (replacement) and nets for traditional fishermen, Bio-toilets, communication and /or Tracking Devices for traditional and motorised vessels like VHF /Transponders etc, distribution of safety kits for fishermen of traditional and motorized fishing vessels, and Livelihood and Nutritional support for traditional fishers during fishing ban/lean period, etc.

This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha in response to a question asked. ******* JP. (Release ID: 2241149) Visitor Counter : 85

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