Centre Reviews Fisheries Schemes, Pushes States for Faster Fund Utilisation and Digital Integration

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland), reviewed progress under PMMSY and noted that reservoir fisheries and inland clusters remain underdeveloped despite policy support.

The Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, convened the National Fisheries Secretaries Conference in New Delhi to review progress under key flagship schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).

The Conference, chaired by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries, was held at the AP Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, Pusa Road, and also reviewed updates on the Marine Fisheries Census 2025, value-added seafood exports, and priority deliverables across fisheries and aquaculture programmes.

Focus on Timely Fund Utilisation and Project Execution

Addressing senior officials from 25 States and Union Territories, Dr Likhi highlighted fund utilisation as a critical concern and urged States and UTs to ensure timely and efficient disbursal of funds to avoid implementation delays. He stressed a time-bound approach for priority initiatives such as Integrated Aquaparks, seaweed farming, Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs), artificial reefs, and cluster-based development.

He also called for a strong push towards digitalisation, urging States and UTs to accelerate registrations on the National Fisheries Digital Portal. Noting gaps in aquaculture insurance coverage, he encouraged wider adoption to protect fisher livelihoods. States were further advised to closely monitor fisheries components under the PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana to ensure effective delivery of benefits at the grassroots level.

Inland and Marine Fisheries: Gaps and Opportunities

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland), reviewed progress under PMMSY and noted that reservoir fisheries and inland clusters remain underdeveloped despite policy support. He emphasised diversification beyond Indian Major Carps, promotion of high-value, market-linked species, and strengthening export preparedness among inland States.

Ms Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary (Marine), focused on coastal States and UTs, stressing the need to operationalise the Standard Operating Procedure for Mariculture Development (2025) and to notify State mariculture policies with clear seawater leasing norms, biosecurity measures, and streamlined approvals. She highlighted under-utilisation of India’s brackishwater resources and urged diversification into finfish, shellfish, IMTA, seaweed and open-sea cage farming, along with adoption of climate-friendly technologies to reduce post-harvest losses.

Export Growth, Research and Data Systems

Shri Dodda Venkata Swamy, Chairman, MPEDA, outlined opportunities in value-added seafood exports, calling for stronger skill development, fish-waste utilisation, and greater focus on sustainability, traceability and biosecurity.

Dr J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General, ICAR, emphasised the need for uniform catch-data collection, robust stock-assessment systems, compliance with minimum legal size norms, and establishment of Multiplier Units for wider technology dissemination.

Dr Grinson George, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, provided updates on the Marine Fisheries Census 2025, including portal synchronisation, integration of FSI data for UTs, and conversion of raw data into the National Marine Fisheries Database.

State-Specific Directions and Commitments

States and UTs shared progress, challenges, and priorities, with many committing to meeting expenditure milestones by March 2026. Key highlights included:

• Tamil Nadu reported progress on the Seaweed Park, with Hub-1 nearing completion

• Puducherry sought approval for deep-sea fishing vessels for women groups

• Odisha flagged delays due to non-finalisation of cooperative guidelines

• Uttarakhand shared progress on a proposed MoU with ITBP for supplying fresh rainbow trout

• Himachal Pradesh requested an Aquapark and development of Kullu as a trout cluster

During the review, Maharashtra was advised to discontinue the lottery system for deep-sea fishing vessels, Kerala was directed to initiate seaweed farming, and States were asked to report progress through DISHA conferences. Directions were also issued to fast-track Aquaparks, strengthen clusters, operationalise cooperative guidelines, and accelerate digital integration across States.

Advancing the Blue Economy Vision

The Conference concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for strong Centre–State coordination, enhanced institutional capacity, and time-bound implementation of fisheries programmes to support livelihoods, sustainability, and value-chain integration.

The deliberations marked an important step towards aligning national and State-level efforts to advance India’s Blue Economy vision through resilient, inclusive and market-oriented fisheries development.