Fisheries sector plays an important role in the socio-economic development of about 28 million fisher-folk, providing food and livelihood security. The contribution of the fisheries sector in the National Gross Value Added (GVA) during 2019-20 stood at Rs.1,26,370 crore (at constant basic prices; 2011-12) constituting 0.95 % to the national GVA and 6.42% of the agricultural GVA.

The Fisheries Research Institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have been upgrading their infrastructures based on research and developmental needs from time-to-time. Besides, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) and other schemes, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been supporting holistic development of Fisheries Sector including welfare of fishers in the country. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has no such proposal for establishment of Fisheries Council of India for general welfare of fishermen including insurance schemes for their health.

Some stretches of India’s shoreline are subject to varying degree of erosion due to natural causes or anthropogenic activities. The coastal erosion does impact coastal communities residing in the erosion prone areas including fishermen communities. The national shoreline change assessment mapping for Indian coast carried out by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) using 28 years of satellite data from 1990 to 2018 revealed that 41% of coastline of Kerala is subject to varying degree of erosion. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme(CSS); Blue Revolution Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries implemented during the period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 provided financial assistance to Rs.93.84 crore for implementation fishermen welfare related activities including construction of fishermen houses. Besides, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) being implemented with effect from 2020-21, a sum of Rs. 50.89 crore has also been provided to the Government of Kerala for implementation of welfare related activities including livelihood and nutritional support to socio-economically backward active traditional fishers family.

This information was given by The Minister of Fisheries , Animal Husbandry  Dairying  Shri PARSHOTTAM RUPALA in the Lok  Sabha in a written reply today.

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MV/MG