PMMSY: Encouraging change in policy and scheme for sustainable and resilient fisheries

Fisheries and aquaculture plays an important role in the economy and development of many countries due to its critical contribution to employment, food & nutritional security, foreign exchange earnings and income for millions, especially the rural populations because fish is an affordable and rich source of animal protein. The sector has immense potential to enhance incomes and usher in economic prosperity to fishers, fish farmers, fish vendors and other stakeholders involved in fishing and fisheries related allied activities. Governments and civil society were increasingly aware of the need for improvement of management frameworks to achieve greater economic, social and environmental sustainability and resilience, notably in the face of the lost opportunities due to mismanagement, the overexploitation of ocean ecosystem, and the anticipated effects of climate change. Therefore, changes in Indian fisheries policy and government schemes were essential to achieve greater economic, social and environmental sustainability and resilience. The Government of lndia brought a scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)’ to bring Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India at total investment of Rs. 20,050 crores for holistic development of fisheries sector including welfare of fishers during 2020-21. PMMSY is implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of five years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. The beneficiary oriented activities supported under the PMMSY include development of hatcheries, construction of Grow-out and rearing ponds, input cost for culture activities, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), cage culture in reservoirs, open sea cages, sea weed culture, bivalve culture, construction of raceways for trout farming, ornamental and recreational fisheries, support for acquisition of deep sea fishing vessels, up-gradation of existing fishing vessels, support for providing safety kits for fishermen of traditional and motorized fishing vessels, providing boats and nets for traditional fishermen, support for purchase of communication and/or Tracking devices and PFZ devices. The PMMSY also supports for construction of cold storage, ice plants, fish meal plants/mills, construction of fish retail markets, kiosks, fish value added enterprises units, e-platform for e-trading and e-marketing, establishment of disease diagnostic and quality testing labs, insurance to fishermen and fishing vessels, livelihood and nutritional supports for socio economically backward active traditional fishers etc. This important policy change has started showing its impact in the total fish production of various states. The fish production of Jammu and Kashmir reflected 19% higher production during 2021-22 in comparison to previous year 2020-21. In coming future, more positive growth is anticipated from the fisheries sector due to the major policy change and new schemes under PMMSY.