The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States and Union Territories including Odisha. The DoF, MoFAH&D, Government of India under PMMSY has approved the proposals received from the Government of Odisha at a cost of Rs.1264.23 Crore with central share of Rs.510.94 Crore during the last four years and in the current financial year. Out of this, Rs.271.17 crore of central share has been released to the Government of Odisha so far based on the utilization reports submitted by the State Government.

The 'National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 notified by the Government of India, provides guiding principles of conservation and optimum utilization of fisheries resources for ensuring sustainability. The DoF, GoI is implementing fishing ban in India’s EEZ along the east and west coast during the major breeding season of the commercial fish species to ensure successful spawning and strong recruitment for sustaining the fisheries. On the east coast, including the coasts of Odisha, the fishing ban is implemented annually from April 15th to June 15th. The Government of Odisha, through the Orissa Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, 1981, also regulates fishing activities in the state's territorial waters to support the sustainable management of fisheries along the Odisha coast. In addition, the Government of India has prohibited harmful fishing practices, such as pair or bull trawling, and the use of LED or artificial lights for fishing within the EEZ.

The DoF, GoI has approved 38 units of cold storages and ice plants, 1125 units of fish marketing facilities including fish kiosks, live fish vending centers, insulated vehicles, refrigerated vehicles, three wheelers with ice box and motor cycles with ice box. Two state-of-the-art Wholesale Fish Markets having processing facilities are also approved at Balasore and Khorda districts of Odisha. Activities such as construction of new ponds for brackish water and fresh water aquaculture, recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS), biofloc and reservoir cage culture are also approved under the PMMSY to increase fish production and export from Odisha. Besides, the DoF, GoI has recently notified development of scampi production and processing cluster in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha.

The DoF, GoI under PMMSY has approved proposals of the Government of Odisha for construction of fishing harbor at Astaranga, Puri at a cost of Rs.179.90 crore. Further, the proposal of Paradip Port Trust for modernization and up-gradation of the Paradip fishing harbor at a cost of Rs.108.91 crore has been approved by DoF, GoI with 100% central share under PMMSY.

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 19th March, 2025.

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AA