India’s Fisheries Sector Transformation

The Government released updated data (August 2025) on fisheries growth, schemes, and infrastructure projects, showcasing India’s progress as the world’s second-largest fish producer.

Fisheries as a Growth Driver

• Contributes 8% of global fish output; second largest producer worldwide.
• Provides food security, employment, and income for millions, especially in coastal and rural areas.
• Success story of NavkisharGope (Jharkhand) illustrates how PMMSY support transforms livelihoods.

Growth in Fish Production

• Total production: 96 lakh tonnes (2013–14) ? 195 lakh tonnes (2024–25) (+104%).
• Inland fisheries: 61 lakhtonnes ? 147.37 lakh tonnes (+142%).
• Shift towards modern, sustainable aquaculture with adoption of new technologies and better value chains.

Government Schemes and Interventions

• Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana (PMMSY, 2020)
  • Launched to fill critical gaps left by the Blue Revolution (2015).
  • Objectives: improve production, productivity, traceability, post-harvest handling, fisher welfare.
• Financials:
  • • Projects worth ?21,274.16 crore approved (July 2025).
    • Central share: ?9,189.79 crore; Released: ?5,587.57 crore.
    • Original size: ?20,050 crore (2020–25); Extended till 2025–26.
• Pradhan Mantri MatsyaKisanSamridhiSah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY, 2024–27)
  • Central Sector Sub-scheme of PMMSY.
  • Outlay: ?6,000 crore; Early sanction (April 2025): ?11.84 crore.
  • Focus: formalisation, insurance, institutional credit, quality assurance.
  • Supported by World Bank (?1,125 cr) + AFD (?375 cr).
• National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP, 2024)
  • Developed under PM-MKSSY.
  • Provides digital identity, single-window access to credit, insurance, incentives, and training.
  • 26 lakh+ stakeholders registered by August 2025.
• Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF, 2018)
  • Size: ?7,522.48 crore; Extended till March 2026.
  • Provides concessional credit with 3% subvention; credit guarantee up to ?12.5 crore.
  • Target: formation of 12,000 fisheries cooperatives in 10 years.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fisheries
  • Limit raised to ?5 lakh (from ?2 lakh).
  • As of June 2025: 76 lakh KCCs issued; disbursement: ?3,214.32 crore.
• DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA)
  • Focus on tribal empowerment.
  • ?375 crore allocation to fisheries component; support for 10,000 tribal groups & 1,00,000 individuals.

Infrastructure and Technology Development

• Fisheries Clusters and Aquaparks
  • 34 fisheries clusters notified; organic clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya.
  • 11 Integrated Aquaparks sanctioned (?682.60 crore) for seed, feed, farming, processing, cold storage, marketing.
• Technology-Driven Aquaculture
  • Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS): 12,000 units approved (?902.97 crore).
  • Biofloc Technology: 4,205 units approved (?523.30 crore).
  • Promotes “crop-per-drop” in aquaculture; reduces water use, improves productivity.
• Smart and Integrated Harbours
  • Locations:Vanakbara (Diu), Karaikal (Puducherry), Jakhau (Gujarat).
  • Cost: ?369.8 crore (60:40 Centre-State sharing).
  • Features: IoT, AI tools, renewable energy, waste management, eco-friendly design.

Inclusivity and Social Empowerment

• PMMSY provides higher financial support for SC, ST, and women beneficiaries.
• Projects worth ?3,973.14 crore approved for women (2020–25).
• Fisheries interventions aligned with tribal development mission (DA-JGUA).

International Cooperation

• FAO (2025): Technical Cooperation on Blue Ports.
• AFD (2025): Joint workshop on Eco-Fishing Ports.
• External funding supports India’s eco-friendly, sustainable fisheries model.