The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) is implementing uniform ban on fishing annually from 15^th April to 14^th June along the East Cost including the stretch of 480 km of Odisha coasts primarily for conservation of fishery resources and to sustain the marine fisheries. Further, the Government of Odisha has been imposing fishing ban for the stretch of 120 km of Odisha coast (Gahirmatha Marine wildlife sanctuary, Devi River mouth, Rushikulya River mouth and Dhamara river Mouth) for conservation of Olive Ridley turtles every year during 1^st November to 31^st May. The Government of Odisha has also informed that fleet size of Mechanised Fishing Vessels has not increased since last two decades to reduce overfishing.

The DoF, MoFAH&D has approved proposals worth a project cost of Rs.1265.42 crore with a central share of Rs.564.00 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to the Government of Odisha and other implementing agencies for development of fisheries and aquaculture including Marine fisheries in the state. Under the PMMSY, financial assistance is also provided to 24,000 socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families of Odisha annually for livelihood and nutritional support during fishing ban/lean period in order to promote conservation of fisheries resources of Odisha. Further, establishment of 93 units of artificial reefs have been approved to the Government of Odisha for stock enhancement and promotion of sustainable marine fisheries along the Odisha coast.

During the last five years, proposals for financial assistance for 560 units with a total project cost of Rs.17.28 crore and central share of Rs.5.23 crores to Government of Odisha were approved under PMMSY towards boats (replacement) and nets by the traditional fishermen, and central share is released based on the demand received from State Government. The Government of Odisha reported that Rs 5.025 crore is provided for replacement of boats and net to 201 fishermen during the last five years.

The DoF, MoFAH&D, GoI has approved the proposal of Government of Odisha for construction of fishing harbour at Nuagarh (Astarang), Puri District of Odisha at a cost of Rs.82.86 crore with central share of Rs.49.716 crore under the PMMSY. The DoF, MoFAH&D, GoI, under central sector scheme component of PMMSY has approved the proposal of Paradip Port Trust for modernization and up-gradation of Paradip Fishing Harbour at a cost of Rs.99.75 crore with 100% central share.

This reply was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in Rajya Sabha today.

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