Schemes for Fisheries sector in India

Need for safeguarding the Aquatic ecosystem?

• The sustainability and conservation of our aquatic ecosystem which constitutes of various freshwater habitats, with oceans and seas covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth, has gained a lot of attention in recent times at national and international forums.
• It also underpins key economic sectors, such as fisheries and tourism. However, today these habitats are constantly facing huge threats from various actors.
• As predicted by eminent scientists and practitioners across the world, millions of tonnes of our plastic waste released into these habitats by humans are harming creatures, including seabirds, turtles, crabs and other species.
• To curb the impact caused to these habitats, it is imperative that more awareness be created amongst nations to take responsible actions, work towards the conservation of the environment and leverage existing resources to reverse and restore the planet Earth.
• However, at the same time, one must understand that protecting and restoring the entire ecosystem is a massive task and needs to be taken up collectively by nations across the globe on priority and at a faster pace.
• The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India truly recognizes the urgency to protect these habitats while ensuring optimal utilization of our national resources.
• In view of the same, the schemes and programmes being implemented by the Department, aim at the growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, keeping the sustainability of the environment as the prime focus.

Government Efforts

Blue Revolution

• “Blue Revolution”, the flagship scheme of the Department, launched in the year 2015, aimed to achieve economic prosperity of the country and the fishers and fish farmers as well as contribute towards food and nutritional security through full potential utilization of water resources for fisheries development in a sustainable manner, keeping in view the bio-security and environmental concerns.
• Under Blue Revolution, total funds of Rs. 2573 crores were released as central assistance to various States and Union Territories and various organisations for sustainable and holistic development of fisheries and fishers’ welfare, along with the promotion of environment-friendly aquaculture practices.
• As part of the Blue Revolution scheme, various environment-friendly technologies were adopted for safeguarding of our aquatic ecosystem.
• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) were supported; RAS technology is eco-friendly, water efficient, and is a highly productive intensive farming system, with zero environmental impact.
• Likewise, Sea Cages for marine fish culture were promoted and supported, Seaweed cultivation has also been promoted, and fish lean/ban period has been implemented during the breeding season amongst many other initiatives.
• Solar panel units for producing energy to operate water pumps, and aerators and carry out other fisheries-related activities were provided assistance under the Blue Revolution Scheme.
• This entailed providing one-time central assistance to beneficiaries for procurement and installation of solar power support system for fisheries. These initiatives amongst others have played a major role in protecting the land as well as the aquatic ecosystems.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• To further build on the achievements in the fisheries sector through the implementation of the Blue Revolution Scheme and develop the sector in a sustainable and responsible manner, the Government of India launched a flagship scheme of “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” in May 2020, with highest ever estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package.
• PMMSY aims at sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector with focus on infrastructure, species diversification, sustainable livelihoods, aquatic health management, robust database, innovations, collectivization, modernization of value chain, export promotion, establishing a robust fisheries management framework, with special focus on implementing technologies that ensure the protection of habitats and fisheries wealth.
• In this context, the Department is taking up a range of activities including implementation of bio-flocs, Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) with a special focus, Reservoir cage culture, open sea cage culture for conservation of marine fisheries and risk mitigation to marine fishers, sea weed cultivation for supporting livelihood and ushering prosperity for coastal communities especially women in sustainable environment friendly manner alongwith providing livelihood and nutritional support for fishers’ families for conservation of fisheries resources during fishing ban/lean period. Furthermore, the Department is also actively promoting installation of Bio-toilets in fishing vessels to keep the marine environment clean and prevent contamination of marine resources.
• PMMSY aims to promote sustainable fish production systems/methods with minimal environmental impacts to support more crop per drop.
• Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages will be developed under PMMSY with investment of Rs. 750 crore to leverage Blue economy/Blue growth with an aim to maximize economic and social benefits to coastal fishers while minimizing environmental impact through sustainable fishing practices. Project proposal with total outlay of Rs. 2881.41 crores has been approved under PMMSY during 2020-21 for sustainable development of fisheries and fisheries related infrastructure including fishers’ welfare.