Parliament Question: Traditional Fishing Community

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3808 ANSWERED ON 11/08/2026 TRADITIONAL FISHING COMMUNITY

3808. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to

state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of the impact of industrial projects, port development, coastal infrastructure, power projects, mining activities and other large-scale developments on traditional fishing communities across coastal States;

(b) the details of studies, consultations or impact assessments undertaken regarding changes in fishing grounds, marine biodiversity, fish catch, livelihood opportunities and income of fishermen due to such projects during the last five years;

(c) whether the Government has received representations or grievances from fishing communities regarding loss of access to traditional fishing areas, coastal pollution, declining fish availability and displacement due to industrial activities, if so, the details thereof including Kallakurichi constituency of Tamil Nadu; and

(d) the measures taken by the Government in coordination with coastal State Governments and concerned Ministries to protect the livelihood rights of traditional fishermen, provide rehabilitation and compensation where applicable, and ensure sustainable fisheries management? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) and (b): The Government mandates assessments of environmental and social impacts for major infrastructural projects to evaluate ecological and socio-economic effects including on traditional fishing communities across the coastal states before granting clearances to such projects. Conducted by project proponents and appraised by authorities, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process covers a comprehensive range of investigations, including baseline marine and ecological studies, topographic, bathymetric, and oceanographic surveys, shoreline and sediment transport analyses, water, air, and soil quality assessments, and hydrodynamic modeling. It also features specialized evaluations such as mangrove and coral assessments, dredging and navigation impacts, pollution and oil spill risks, climate vulnerability, coastal regulation zone (CRZ) mapping and compliance study, disaster risk assessment and emergency response study, and Social Impact Assessments (SIA). To ensure sustainable planning, construction, and operation, these projects incorporate mandatory public consultations, cost-benefit analyses, and the formulation of robust Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Environmental Monitoring Plans (EMOPs), and Environmental Mitigation Measures.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has informed that the ICAR‑Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR‑CMFRI) has undertaken many consultancy projects during the last five years for assessing the impacts of such initiatives on fishing grounds, marine biodiversity, fish catch, livelihood opportunities, and the income of fishermen. The details of the consultancy projects completed during this period are placed at Annexure.

(c): Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that 6 representations and grievances have been received in Chennai District from fishing villages in North Chennai, related to pollution in the Kosasthalaiyar river, adverse impact on the livelihood of fishers along Ennore Creek and the north Chennai coast. In Thoothukudi district, fishers in 6 villages have represented livelihood loss and sea erosion due to Udangudi Thermal Power Project. To prevent sea erosion, breakwaters have been established in the villages of Allanthalai, Manapad, and Periyathalai. In Tirunelveli district, a grievance has been received from the 7 fishing villages regarding sea erosion due to the extension of the bait arch at the Kudankulam Atomic Power Project, affecting the berthing of fishing crafts and shifting of fishing grounds to longer distances. In Kanniyakumari district, 3 grievances have been received from stakeholders regarding coastal pollution (Radiation) due to industrial activities such as mining by Indian Rare Earths (India) Limited (IREL) in Manavalakurichi, Kanniyakumari district. In respect of Kallakurichi constituency, no representation or grievance has been received so far from fishing communities.

(d): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI), in coordination with the coastal states has undertaken comprehensive measures for the sustainable harnessing of marine fisheries resources and the welfare of small‑scale and traditional fishers. The Government has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, which mandate key conservation measures, including a uniform fishing ban during fish breeding seasons; minimum legal size for fish capture and adoption of bycatch‑reduction measures;

prohibition of destructive and juvenile fishing practices; and promotion of best practices to minimise post‑harvest losses.

For sustainable fishing, enhancement of fish stocks, and sea‑safety considerations, a uniform 61‑day fishing ban is implemented annually in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Coastal States/UTs also enforce corresponding bans within their territorial waters in alignment with the EEZ‑wide ban. Livelihood and nutritional support for socio‑economically backward active traditional fishers during the fishing ban/lean period, as well as group accident insurance for active fishers, is provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Under PMMSY, the Government of India has, for the first time, extended support for activities by the coastal states such as sea ranching and installation of Artificial Reefs (ARs) along the entire coastline to prevent habitat degradation, enhance fish stocks, and support fishers’ livelihoods. Activities such as mariculture, including seaweed cultivation and open‑sea cage culture, are also promoted to reduce fishing pressure in nearshore waters and augment marine fisheries production in a sustainable manner.

PMMSY further includes the component “Development of 100 Coastal Fishermen Villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV)”, aimed at transforming 100 villages selected jointly with the coastal States/UTs into economically vibrant and climate‑resilient villages through need-based interventions including infrastructure and livelihood‑enhancing activities.Annexure STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) AND (B) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3808 REGARDING "TRADITIONAL FISHING COMMUNITY" PUT IN BY SHRI MALAIYARASAN D., HON’BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, LOK SABHA FOR ANSWER ON 11TH AUGUST, 2026 Details of studies by ICAR-CMFRI in the last 5 years Sr. No. Name of the Project Client details

1. Estimation of Marine Fish Landings Data from Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd. the Potential Impact Zones of Vizhinjam (AVPPL) International Sea Port, Kerala, India

2. Impact study of proposed Vadhavan port on Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, coastal fisheries Nariman Point, Mumbai

3. Baseline study for impact of coastal road on Municipal Corporation of Greater fisheries and fisher livelihood, Mumbai, Mumbai MCGM), Mumbai Maharashtra

4. Assessment of impact of seismic surveys on Oil & Natural Gas Corporation fisheries off Palghar, Maharashtra Ltd, Mumbai

5. Large-scale impact examination of the Maharashtra State Road construction of Thane Creek Bridge-III on fish Development Corporation, stock and fishing activities in the nearby areas. Mumbai -400 050 *****