Key Fisheries and Aquaculture Schemes in India: Policies, Institutions and Programs
India is the third-largest fish-producing and second-largest aquaculture nation globally. The fisheries sector provides livelihood to approximately 30 million people and contributes over 1% to the National Gross Value Added (GVA) and around 6.7% to the Agriculture GVA. To modernize this sector, the government implements dedicated policy frameworks, development schemes, and research infrastructure.
National Policy Framework
National Fisheries Policy
The integrated National Fisheries Policy consolidates marine, inland, and brackish-water aquaculture. It focuses on sustainable resource management, blue growth, and ecological balance in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).
Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act
Enacted in 2005 and amended in 2023, the Act regulates coastal aquaculture to protect coastal ecosystems, mangrove buffers, and agricultural lands from salt intrusion while decriminalizing minor regulatory non-compliances.
Flagship Programs and Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Launched in September 2020 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package, PMMSY addresses critical gaps in the fisheries value chain with a total investment of ₹20,050 crore.
- Structure: It operates through two components: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) and Central Sector Scheme (CS).
- Production Targets: Aims to raise fish production to 22 million metric tons by expanding productivity from 3 tons to 5 tons per hectare.
- Post-Harvest Focus: Seeks to reduce post-harvest losses from 20–25% down to about 10% through modern cold chains and landing centers.
- Livelihood Generation: Aims to generate 55 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- Key Interventions: Promotes modern technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), biofloc, cage culture in reservoirs, seaweed farming, and ornamental fisheries.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
Created in 2018–19 with a corpus of ₹7,522.48 crore.
- Mechanism: Provides concessional finance to State Governments, cooperatives, and private entrepreneurs.
- Interest Subvention: Offers an interest subvention of up to 3% per annum for a total loan repayment period of 12 years (including a 2-year moratorium).
- Nodal Loan Entities: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC), and scheduled commercial banks.
- Targeted Projects: Fishing harbors, fish landing centers, modern wholesale fish markets, ice plants, and cold storages.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
A Central Sector sub-scheme launched under PMMSY with an outlay of ₹6,000 crore for four years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27).
- Formalization: Integrates the unorganized fisheries sector into formal systems through the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
- Incentives: Facilitates institutional credit access, performance incentives for microenterprises, and aquaculture insurance support.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fishers
Extended to fishers and fish farmers in 2018–19 to meet their working capital requirements for purchasing fingerlings, feed, nets, and fuel, with standard interest subvention benefits.
Key Fisheries Institutions
| Institution | Location | Core Mandate |
| National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) | Hyderabad | Autonomous organization under the Department of Fisheries to coordinate developmental schemes and commercial aquaculture activities. |
| Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) | Kochi | Marine fishery stock assessment, mariculture development, and pelagic fishery research. |
| Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) | Barrackpore | Reservoir, wetland, and riverine ecosystem management and open-water fisheries enhancement. |
| Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) | Bhubaneswar | Research on breeding and culture of freshwater species, including Indian Major Carps. |
| Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) | Chennai | Technology development for shrimp, crab, and finfish culture in brackish-water environments. |
| Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) | Kochi | Designs fishing gear, crafts, harvest technologies, and post-harvest seafood processing methods. |
| Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) | Mumbai | Deemed university focused on human resource development and higher education in fisheries science. |
| National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) | Lucknow | Cataloging, conservation, and cryopreservation of aquatic genetic resources. |
| Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) | Kochi | Statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for promotion of seafood exports. |
| Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) | Chennai | Regulates coastal aquaculture farms and registers hatcheries and farms under statutory mandates. |
| Fishery Survey of India (FSI) | Mumbai | Surveys and assesses marine fishery resources within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. |
Key Exam Facts
- India has an 8,118-kilometer-long coastline, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million square kilometers, and 0.5 million square kilometers of continental shelf.
- The Department of Fisheries was carved out as a dedicated department within the newly formed Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 2019.
- Inland fisheries account for over 70% of total fish production in India, with marine fisheries contributing the remainder.
- Andhra Pradesh is the largest fish-producing state in India, leading both in total production and inland aquaculture.
- Gujarat is the leading marine fish-producing state in India.
- Frozen shrimp remains the largest contributor to India’s seafood export basket by value and volume, with the USA and China as major export markets.
- The Sagar Parikrama initiative is an outreach program conducted across coastal states and Union Territories to interact with fishermen and resolve ground-level welfare issues.
- The Vessel Communication and Support System provides satellite-linked transponders to marine fishing vessels for two-way communication and cyclone warnings at sea.
