India’s Fisheries Sector

India’s Fisheries Sector

Why it Matters? 

  • India’s fisheries sector has doubled production in 10 years. This is driven by inland fisheries growth, PMMSY, PM-MKSSY, and modern technologies like RAS and Biofloc.  

What You Should Know?  

  • India is the second largest fish-producing country in the world, contributing approximately 8% of global output. 

  • Total fish production increased by 104%, from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013–14 to 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.  

  • Inland fisheries grew by 142% during the same period. 

  • The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹2,703.67 crore to the fisheries sector, the highest ever annual support. 

  • The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 

  • It was launched in 2020.  

  • It aims to increase fish production, strengthen infrastructure, modernize the value chain, and improve welfare for fishers.  

  • The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)  

  • It is a sub-scheme under PMMSY, implemented from 2023–24 to 2026–27.  

  • It has a financial outlay of ₹6,000 crore. 

  • It supports long-term structural reforms, formalization, and technological interventions in fisheries. 

  • The National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) 

  • It provides a digital identity to stakeholders, enables access to credit, insurance, traceability systems, and promotes capacity building in the sector.  

  • The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) provides credit guarantees and interest subvention to fishers and entrepreneurs. 

  • India is developing smart and integrated fishing harbours, including Vanakbara in Diu, Karaikal in Puducherry, and Jakhau in Gujarat.