The Centre is promoting deep-sea fishing and strengthening fisheries cooperatives through targeted schemes to boost livelihoods and infrastructure in the sector, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha. He said the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is being implemented to ensure holistic growth of fisheries and improve the wellbeing of fishers and fish farmers across the country.
A key focus of the scheme is to empower traditional and small-scale fishers to undertake deep-sea fishing by providing financial assistance for the acquisition of new vessels and upgradation of existing boats to enhance export capability.
The Ministry of Cooperation is working closely with the Department of Fisheries through a joint working group, adopting a whole-of-government approach to strengthen fisheries cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations. Institutional finance and cooperative-based asset creation are being facilitated through the National Cooperative Development Corporation, while policy and technical support is provided by the Department of Fisheries.
PMMSY is being implemented with an investment of Rs 20,050 crore from 2020–21, while the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs 7,522.48 crore is providing concessional finance for infrastructure and sustainable fisheries development.