Major Initiatives Launched
5th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC)
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Objective: Document 1.2 million fisher households across 3,500 villages in 9 coastal states and 4 UTs.
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First Digital Census:
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Uses VyAS-NAV app (geo-referenced, real-time validation) developed by ICAR-CMFRI (Kochi-based nodal agency).
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Tracks demographics, infrastructure, ecological impacts (e.g., overfishing, climate vulnerabilities).
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Historical Context:
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First census in 1948–49; previous editions in 2005, 2010, 2016 (partial).
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2025 Census: Focuses on socio-economic data (e.g., 67% of fisher families were BPL in 2010, gender ratio disparities).
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Completion: Expected by December 2025.
First-Ever Aquaculture Insurance Scheme
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Under: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub-scheme of PMMSY.
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Coverage:
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Basic Insurance: Natural calamities (cyclones, floods).
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Comprehensive Insurance: Includes disease outbreaks (e.g., shrimp white spot disease).
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Incentives:
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10% extra subsidy for SC/ST and women beneficiaries.
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Premiums capped at ₹1 lakh for intensive systems (e.g., recirculatory aquaculture).
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Digital Access: Integrated with the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) for transparency.
Infrastructure Development
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Projects Launched:
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₹255 crore allocated for infrastructure in 7 coastal states/UTs (excluding Gujarat, Maharashtra).
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Focus: Cold storage, value-added product facilities, and modernizing landing centers.
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Marine vs. Inland Fisheries
| Marine Fisheries | Inland Fisheries |
|---|---|
| Conducted in Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal | Rivers, lakes, ponds (e.g., Ganga, Godavari) |
| Export-oriented (shrimp, tuna) | Domestic consumption (carp, catfish) |
| Leading States: Gujarat (marine), Andhra Pradesh (overall) | Leading States: West Bengal (inland), Andhra Pradesh |
Key Challenges & Trends
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Declining Production: Maharashtra slipped from 3rd to 6th in marine fisheries (2018–2023).
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Ecological Pressures: Overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change impacting fish stocks.
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Socio-Economic Issues:
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Poverty: 67% of fisher families BPL (2010 data).
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Gender Disparity: 934 females per 1,000 males in fishing communities (2010).
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Governance Framework
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Constitutional Jurisdiction:
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State List (Entry 21): Inland fisheries.
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Union List (Entry 57): Marine fishing beyond territorial waters.
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Regulatory Bodies:
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National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Implements welfare schemes.
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Fishery Survey of India (FSI): Monitors marine resources.
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State Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs): Govern coastal fishing.
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Significance of the Initiatives
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Data-Driven Policies: MFC 2025 will inform sustainable fisheries management and welfare schemes.
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Risk Mitigation: Insurance scheme protects small farmers from climate and disease risks.
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Infrastructure Boost: Cold storage projects aim to reduce post-harvest losses (currently 25–30%).
Way Forward
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Tech Integration: Expand digital tools (e.g., NFDP) for real-time monitoring and insurance claims.
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Capacity Building: Train fishers in sustainable practices and climate resilience.
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Interstate Collaboration: Address jurisdictional overlaps in marine resource management.
Conclusion
The 2025 Fisheries Meet underscores India’s push to modernize its ₹1.75 lakh crore fisheries sector (2023–24) through digital innovation, risk mitigation, and infrastructure upgrades. Balancing ecological sustainability with socio-economic equity remains critical for achieving the PMMSY target of 22 million tonnes of fish production by 2024–25.
