ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
(SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)
(a) The main function and objective of setting up the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) is to conduct exploratory fishery resources survey, distribution and stock assessment of marine fishery resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The objectives are (i) Exploratory surveys, charting of fishing grounds, assessment of fish stocks in the Indian EEZ including adjoining high seas and research thereof besides the specific surveys on request from the States and Union Territories, (ii) Data collection and periodic re-validation of potential of fishery resources to provide advice on fishery management issues enshrined in the national, regional and global conventions and agreements and other associated activities, (iii) Monitoring surveys of fishery resources in the exploited areas including coral reefs, application of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) for regulating fishing activities and promoting Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) in the Indian EEZ, (iv) Maintain Data Bank and disseminate information on fishery resources to the end-users and act as an interface between the States/UTs and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India for Marine and Inland fish Production and related aspects, (v) Assessment of suitability of fishing gear, accessories and equipment with special reference to the preservation of environment and ecology of marine habitat, (vi) Fish stock identification and biodiversity studies including application of genetic tools and techniques,(vii) Marine fisheries forecasting including application of remote sensing for the benefit of artisanal, mechanized and industrial sectors and (viii) Human Resource Development through practical training of fishing operatives, fishermen, fisheries officers and students.
(b)Totalgrants released by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India to the Fishery Survey of India during the last three years are given below. The grant released to FSI is used for meeting the expenditure and functioning of the organization including Zonal bases and not for releasing funds to the States.
Sl.No Year Grants provided by the Government (Rs. in lakh)
1 2016-17 5943.26
2 2017-18 5081.76
3 2018-19 5456.07
Total 16481.09
(c)&(d) Yes Sir. The FSIconducts exploratory marine fishery resources survey continuously every month and the data collected through the survey are analyzed for estimates on stock assessment of major fisheries resources in the EEZ and research programmes are also undertaken. Exploratory survey are conducted in the entire EEZ of both east and west coast adopting fishing methods like demersal trawling, long lining etc deploying the survey vessels attached with the six different Bases of FSI viz; Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Port Blair. Further, the estimates on fishery resources made are used for estimation of marine fisheries potential in the EEZ of the country. The results of survey are disseminated to the end users for sustainable harvest of marine fisheries and thus the survey has helped the fishing sector in the country.
(e) TheCentralGovernmentismandatedtocontrolandregulatefisheriesintheEEZ,i.e., theareafrom12to200nauticalmileswithappropriatelegislation and the State/Union Territories (UT) Governments are implementing their respective ‘Marine Fishing Regulation Act(s)’ (MFRAs) to ensure sustainable fishing practices in the territorial waters. The National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 proposes to keep sustainability of the resources at the core of all actions. Besides, the Department is issuing advisories toall maritime States / UTs for observing sustainable fisheries with appropriate conservationand fishery management measures.
*****
Download PDF Files
