Question : Deep Sea Fishing Policy

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a deep sea fishing policy, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the license given to foreign vessels for deep sea fishing is not beneficial to Indian Fisher folk;
(c) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government to revise the existing norms so as to make it beneficial to Indian Fisher folk;
(d) whether the Government proposes to provide vessels suitable to deep sea fishing to the Indian Fisher folk, if so, the scheme formulated by the Government in this regard;
(e) whether the Government proposes to invite the views of the State Governments for formulating deep sea fishing policy and scheme for deep sea fishing; and
(f) if so, the details of the action taken by the Government there on?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FARMER’s WELFARE:
(SMT. KRISHNA RAJ)
(a) A ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017’ has already been notified on 01.05.2017 by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF). The National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 inter alia includes the policy of the Government on deep sea fishing.
(b) No license has been given to foreign vessels for deep sea fishing.
(c) Does not arise.
(d) Yes, Madam. A sub-component ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’ has been introduced under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ on 09.3.2017 to assist traditional fishers in fabrication / procurement of new deep sea fishing vessels with 50 % central subsidy on the unit cost of Rs. 80.00 lakh per vessel.
(e) & (f) The ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017’ has been formulated in due consultation with various levels of stakeholders including State Governments.
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