Supporting Marine Fishing Sustainably: A review of central and state government support for marine fisheries in India

The report identifies a 43% increase in government support for Indian marine fisheries between FY 2016 and FY 2019, reaching at least INR 2,225 crore (USD 316 million). It highlights that fuel subsidies are the most significant support measure, growing 142% in the same period. The analysis emphasizes that while income support is vital for the high percentage of fishers living below the poverty line, input-based subsidies for fuel and vessel modernization risk encouraging overcapacity and overfishing. The report recommends a comprehensive evaluation of these high-risk measures and improved data transparency to align support with the National Fisheries Policy 2020 and Sustainable Development Goal 14.

• Total estimated government support for marine fisheries increased by 43% from FY 2016 to FY 2019, rising from INR 1,550 crore (USD 231 million) to at least INR 2,225 crore (USD 316 million).
• Fuel subsidies represent the largest form of support and experienced a 142% growth between FY 2016 and FY 2019, increasing from INR 304 crore (USD 45.3 million) to INR 736 crore (USD 104.5 million).
• Income support, including relief payments and savings schemes during the three-month fishing ban and accident insurance, grew by 57% from INR 284 crore (USD 42 million) in FY 2016 to INR 446 crore (USD 63 million) in FY 2019.
• Support for fixed-cost inputs, such as deep-sea fishing vessel promotion and mariculture, is a key focus of national strategies, with Tamil Nadu providing significant support, including INR 100 crore in FY 2018 for deep-sea fishing vessels.
• There is a critical lack of funding for fisheries management and stock rebuilding; the report found no such programs and only low levels of support for conservation and awareness in two states in FY 2017.
• Poverty is widespread among marine fishers, with 67% of households reported as Below Poverty Line (BPL) in 2016, with the highest rates in Andhra Pradesh (97%) and Tamil Nadu (91%).
• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is expected to significantly increase support levels from FY 2021, with a focus on productivity, intensive mariculture, and deep-sea fishing over coastal community safeguarding.
• Data on government support is fragmented across central, state, and district levels and various institutions, leading to inconsistent reporting formats and definitions.

APA

Sharma, S., Bellmann, C., Beaton, C., & Pant, A. (2021). Supporting Marine Fishing Sustainably: A review of central and state government support for marine fisheries in India. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-12/sustainable-marine-fisheries-india-en.pdf

Chicago

Sharma, Shruti, Christophe Bellmann, Christopher Beaton, and Aditya Pant. Supporting Marine Fishing Sustainably: A review of central and state government support for marine fisheries in India. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-12/sustainable-marine-fisheries-india-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sharma |first1=Shruti |last2=Bellmann |first2=Christophe |last3=Beaton |first3=Christopher |last4=Pant |first4=Aditya |title=Supporting Marine Fishing Sustainably: A review of central and state government support for marine fisheries in India |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=October 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-12/sustainable-marine-fisheries-india-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sharma2021supporting, author = {Sharma, Shruti and Bellmann, Christophe and Beaton, Christopher and Pant, Aditya}, title = {{Supporting Marine Fishing Sustainably: A review of central and state government support for marine fisheries in India}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-12/sustainable-marine-fisheries-india-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }