New Delhi. The uniform ban on fishing for 61 days is implemented annually by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India beyond territorial waters on both the coasts for 61 days (i.e., 15th April to 14th June in the East Coast, and 1st June to 31st July in the West Coast) based on the recommendations of the Technical Committee and in consultation with the coastal States/Union Territories (UTs). The traditional non-motorized units are exempted from this uniform fishing ban imposed in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters. Similarly, the coastal States/UTs are also implementing the fishing ban within their territorial waters in line with the uniform ban implemented in the EEZ. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, the livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers is provided during the fishing ban/lean period. Livelihood and nutritional support for 5,97,709 fisher families has been provided annually during fishing ban/lean period, at a total investment of Rs.1059.94 crores during 2020-21 to 2023-24.
As informed by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India, there has been an import of fish and fish products worth 722.01 million USD to India in the last 3 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24), including import in the state of Tamil Nadu. As informed by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, there has been an export of fish and fish products worth 23,235.78 million USD from India in the last 3 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24), including fish and fish products worth 2,607.99 million USD from the state of Tamil Nadu.
In order to promote the export of marine products, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has taken several steps, these inter-alia include support through PMMSY for branding, standards and certification, training and capacity building, creation of post-harvest infrastructure with emphasis on seamless cold-chain and development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centers, etc. In addition, to address the critical infrastructure requirements of fisheries and aquaculture sectors, the Department of Fisheries, GoI during 2018-19 has created the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore to provide concessional finance to states/UT and private sector.
In this regard the supported activities included development of 27,823 ice plant /cold storages and transportation facilities with an investment of ₹1362 Cr, acquisition of 1398 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels (₹ 1310 Cr) and up-gradation of 1338 fishing vessels (₹ 193.64 Cr). Further, Department of Fisheries has also approved the projects for export oriented fish species such as Scampi, Mud crab, Asian Seabass, Cobia etc. and supported the state-of-the-art aquaculture production technologies like RAS and Biofloc.
In addition, Department of Fisheries, GoI has notified Tuna Cluster in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Seaweed Cluster in the Lakshadweep and has issued the Guidelines for promoting diversified species and Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBCs)/Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMCs) under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (amended in 2023). Apart from this, to ensure the sustainability and uninterrupted supply of Indian seafood material to the US Market, the Department is supporting a Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Project at the cost of around ₹ 13.29 Cr. In order to meet the requirements of the export markets for wild-caught shrimp, the Department of Fisheries is facilitating the installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawlers by including TEDs as a separate line item under the PMMSY scheme, and has advised the maritime states/UTs to mandate TED usage in trawl nets through amendments in their respective Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts.
To strengthen India’s seafood sector globally, the Government is facilitating ease of business by amending Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act (Amendment) 2023. In addition, the Department is conducting Investors meets, Stakeholders consultation and also advising the States/UTs to encourage the farmers to attend the technical and demonstration workshops/training programs related to seed and feed, technology infusion, ornamental fisheries, hatchery technologies etc. on periodic basis in order to increase in productivity and quality of fishery produce.
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 March, 2025.
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