Why in News
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) completed six years. PMMSY is the flagship scheme for the fisheries sector.
Core facts
- Budget: A record ₹2,500 crore was allocated in the 2026 to 2027 Budget Estimate. Total outlay since the 2020 to 2021 year is ₹20,750 crore.
- Fish production: It rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes to 197.75 lakh tonnes. The base year is 2019 to 2020. The latest figure is for 2024 to 2025.
- Exports: Fisheries exports rose from ₹46,663 crore to ₹73,890 crore over the same span.
- Employment: The scheme supported employment for 58 lakh persons. It backed 2,195 Fish Farmers Producer Organizations.
- Structure: PMMSY runs a Central Sector component and a Centrally Sponsored Scheme component.
- Sub scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM MKSSY) has an estimated ₹6,000 crore outlay for 2023 to 2024 up to 2026 to 2027. It formalises the sector through digital identities.
- Digital platform: The National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) launched in September 2024. It recorded over 37.23 lakh registrations as of 8 September 2026.
- Coastal villages: 100 coastal villages are identified as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages. Each carries a ₹200 lakh unit cost, fully government funded.
- Livelihoods: The fisheries sector sustains nearly three crore livelihoods.
Static Context
- PMMSY launched in 2020. The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying runs it.
- Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, livelihoods and ocean health. PMMSY aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water.
- A Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) filters and reuses water. It allows intensive fish farming on minimal land and water.
- Biofloc technology recycles nutrients using beneficial microbes with minimal water exchange.
Prelims angle
PMMSY launch in 2020 under the Department of Fisheries; PM MKSSY as a Central Sector sub scheme; NFDP launch in 2024; the working principle of Recirculatory Aquaculture System biofilters that convert ammonia to nitrate; PMMSY link to Sustainable Development Goal 14.
Mains angle
GS Paper 3, economics of animal rearing and allied sectors. The Blue Economy frame fits a question on fisheries as a driver of coastal livelihoods and sustainable growth.
Matching Previous Year Question
“[2023] With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:
1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)”
“Closest Mains link: no direct fisheries PYQ traced in the Mains file; the nearest tracked Microtheme is Allied SectorXLivestock under Agriculture.”
