Both the Central and the State Government have undertaken several policy initiatives and measures to boost the growth of fisheries industry of India. At the Central level, an important policy has been announced as the Comprehensive Marine Fishing Policy, 2004. The objectives of the policy are to:-

• augment marine fish production of the country up to the sustainable level in a responsible manner so as to boost export of sea food from the country as well as increase per capita fish protein intake of the masses;
• ensure socio-economic security of the artisanal fishermen whose livelihood solely depends on this vocation;
• ensure sustainable development of marine fisheries with due concern for ecological integrity and bio–diversity; etc.

The policy, thus, advocates protection, consideration and encouragement of subsistence level fishermen. It seeks to promote conservation, management and sustainable utilization of India's invaluable marine wealth.

Earlier, the marine fishing policies focussed only on the developmental needs of the deep-sea sector, leaving aside similar issues pertaining to the coastal sector to the respective marine States/ UTs. Even though substantial assistance was channelised through Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes in to the States/ UTs for the development of coastal fisheries, non-existence of an integrated policy for this sector was found to hamper fulfillment of the national objectives. Therefore, in this present policy, the Government seeks to bring the traditional and coastal fishermen also in to the focus together with stakeholders in the deep-sea sector, so as to achieve harmonized development of marine fishery both in the territorial and extra territorial waters of the country.

At the State/UT level, the fisheries policies have also been framed, from time to time, for integrated development of fishing activities in the country. For example, State Reservoir Fishery Policy of Odisha; Fishery Policy in Chhattisgarh; etc.

The 'Centrally Sponsored Schemes' for development of fisheries Sector are:-

1. Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture -

It is a centrally sponsored scheme which has been launched to improve the socio economic status of fishers and other people engaged in the fisheries sector. It covers all inland fishery resources available in the country in the form of freshwater, brackish water, cold water, waterlogged areas, saline / alkaline soils for aquaculture and capture fishery resources (reservoir / rivers etc.). It is being implemented through the State Governments/ UT Administrations. Thus, the components approved under the scheme are:-

• Development of Freshwater Aquaculture - This is an important scheme in inland sector, which is being implemented by a single agency, namely, Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs) in the respective States and UTs. Till now, a network of 429 FFDAs has been established in the country. Till 2006-07, about 7.21 lakh hectare water area brought under scientific fish farming through FFDAs. The main objectives of the scheme are to popularise fish farming, create employment opportunities and diversify aquaculture practices as well as provide assistance to fish farmers, with a view to creating a cadre of trained and well organized fish farmers fully engaged in aquaculture. In order to boost inland fish production, assistance in the form of subsidy is given to the fish farmers for construction of new ponds, reclamation / renovation of ponds and tanks, first year inputs (fish seed, fertilizers, manures, etc.), integrated fish farming, running water fish culture, establishment of fish seed hatcheries and fish feed mills, etc. Assistance is also given to progressive fish farmers for purchase of aerators to further enhance the productivity of fish. The expenditure towards developmental activities is being shared on 75:25 basis between the Government of India and State Governments. For UTs, Central Government provides cent percent funding assistance.
• Development of Brackish water Aquaculture - This scheme has been launched with a view to utilize the country's vast brackish water area for shrimp culture. It is being implemented by 39 Brackish water Fish farmers Development Agencies (BFDAs) set up in all Coastal States and the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is mainly involved in providing technical, financial and extension support to shrimp farmers in the small scale sector. During 2006-07, additional area of about 312 ha was brought under shrimp culture and 500 Fishers were trained in improved practices.
• Development of cold water Fisheries and Aquaculture in Hilly Regions
• Development of Water-logged Areas into Aquaculture Estate
• Productive Utilization of Inland Saline/Alkaline Soils for Aquaculture and Inland Capture Resources (reservoirs/rivers, etc.).

The last three components are being implemented through the Fisheries Department of the respective States/UTs.

2. Scheme on Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post harvest Operations -

Under this scheme, the Central Government provides financial assistance to poor fishers through the State/ UT Governments for complete development of marine sector. The scheme mainly focuses on motorization of traditional crafts, assisting the small scale mechanized sector by subsidizing the excise duty on fuel, setting up of infrastructure for safe landing, berthing and post-harvest operations, etc. It includes the following components, namely:-

• Development of Coastal Fisheries - It has been introduced to improve the socio-economic conditions of the traditional fishermen. It aims to achieve its various objectives through the sub-components, like:-
  • Introduction of Intermediate Crafts of Improved Design: This envisages adequate number of appropriately designed boats to judiciously exploit the fishable potential of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It involves providing the financial incentives to fishermen groups to take up this new generation craft. The scheme is being implemented through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Only cooperatives/group of beneficiaries would be eligible for the assistance. This component on multi-day intermediate class of resource specific fishing vessels in the length range of about 18 meters is to be implemented with a unit cost of Rs. 40.00 lakhs on which a back ended subsidy equivalent to 10% of the cost restricted to Rs. 4.00 lakhs.
  • Motorization of Traditional Craft: It is a scheme, under which the Government provides subsidy to poor fishermen for motorizing their traditional craft as well as for technological upgradation of traditional fishing sector. This aims to help the fishermen to reduce their physical strain and to increase the fishing areas as well as frequency of operation primarily to increase the quantum of catch and earnings of fishermen. The scheme is being continued with the modification that the subsidy benefit will be extended for Out Board Motor (OBM) of 8-10 HP. Further, 50% of the cost of engine is provided as subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs. 20,000 per OBM shared equally by the Centre and the State Governments. In case of UTs, the Centre meets the entire cost of subsidy. It is also being implemented through States/ National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
  • Fishermen Development Rebate on HSD Oil: The scheme provides for reimbursement of Central excise duty on HSD Oil used by fishing levels below 20 meter length so as to offset the operational cost incurred by small mechanized fishing boat operators. The cost of Central excise duty on HSD oil at the rate of Rs. 1.50 per litre is subsidized under this component, which is shared on 80:20 basis between the Centre and the States and met fully by the centre in case of States (which have exempted sales tax fully on HSD Oil) and UTs.
  • Safety of Fishermen at Sea: This scheme was introduced to address the issue of safety of fishermen while sea fishing, by installing one Global Positioning System (GPS) and a wireless set on the small-mechanized fishing vessels of below 20 meter length. It seeks to prevent injury and/or loss of life, fishing boats and implements while fishing as well as make available the early warning system on board.
• Development of Deep Sea Fishing - The scheme basically includes two components:-
  • Resource Specific Deep Sea Fishing Vessels: This component envisages conversion of stern trawlers/ shrimp trawlers to mono-filament long-lining in the form of technological intervention, with a view to meet underutilisation of the existing trawler fleet and of the oceanic tuna and allied species.
  • Introduction of VMS: Under this component, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) has been introduced for initially covering 50 deep sea fishing vessels after conducting a scoping study. The Coast Guard is the implementation agency.
• Development of Infrastructure Facilities - This scheme seeks to meet the infrastructure requirements of fisheries sector as well as augment marine fish production and its exports, and includes the following:-
  • Establishment of Fishing Harbours and Fish Landing Centres: This scheme was introduced with the aim of providing infrastructure facilities for safe landing and berthing of traditional fishing craft, mechanized fishing vessels and deep sea fishing vessels. The facilities created under the scheme are fishing harbours and fish landing centres which includes breakwater, wharf, jetty, dredging, reclamation, quay, auction hall, slipway, workshop, net mending shed and other ancillary facilities.
  • Maintenance of Dredger TSD Sindhuraj: Every fish harbour/ fish-landing centre is subjected to siltation as a natural phenomenon. Periodical maintenance/ dredging is inevitable to keep the harbour/landing centres basin fit for safe navigation. Accordingly, a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger 'TSD Sindhuraj' has been procured under the Japanese Grant-in-aid programme with an aid of Japanese Yen 1248.00 million. This is the most ideal for dredging in shallow waters. The ability of the dredgers with 2.00 to 2.50 meters draft and 200 cubic meters hopper capacity can remove siltation of about 2.00 lakh cubic meters annually. The operation and maintenance of the dredger has been carried out through the Department of Ports, Government of Kerala, for which the capital maintenance cost and insurance etc. is borne by the Centre.
• Development of Post Harvest Infrastructure - This scheme was launched to create facilities for providing remunerative price to the fish farmers for their produce and making available fresh fish at reasonable price to the consumers. Under this Component, State Fisheries Cooperative, Cooperative Federation and primary cooperatives are assisted in strengthen their marketing infrastructure in the shape of fish handling sheds, ice plants, cold storage, retail outlets, etc. It consists of two sub-components:- (i) developing fish preservation and storage infrastructure; and (ii) developing marketing infrastructure such as retail vending kiosks, aqua-shops, insulated/refrigerated vehicles, ice-box, fish display cabinets, visi coolers, etc. This programme is implemented through self-help groups of fisher-women, NGOs, Cooperatives, joint sectors, Government undertakings, and corporations in a location specific manner. The funding pattern is:- 100% grant (limited to Rs. 1.00 crore) to Government Undertakings/ Corporations/Federations; 75% grant (limited to Rs. 0.75 crore) to NGOs/Cooperatives/Joint Sector/Group of fisher-women in North East (NE) Region/Hilly/Tribal areas and 50% grant(limited to Rs 0.50 crore) in general areas; 50% grant (limited to Rs 0.40 crore) to Assisted Sector/Private Sector in NE Region/Hilly/Tribal areas and 25% grant (limited to Rs. 0.25 crore) in general areas.

3. National Scheme on Welfare Programme for Fishermen, Fisheries Training and Extension -

This scheme has been launched to provide financial assistance to fishermen for their welfare as well as provide training and extension support to the fishery sector. It is mainly divided into sub-schemes, namely:-

• National Scheme on Welfare of Fishermen - This scheme intends to promote welfare programme for fishermen, with its three sub-components:-
  • Development of Model Fishermen Villages: The objective of the component is to provide basic civic amenities such as housing, drinking water and construction of community hall for fishermen. A fishermen village may consist of not less than 10 houses. The villages would be provided with tube wells at the rate of one tube well for every 20 houses. For recreation and common working place, a fishermen village with at least 75 houses is eligible to avail financial assistance for construction of a community hall. Unit costs under the scheme is Rs. 40,000/- for a house, Rs. 30,000/- for the tube-well (Rs. 35,000 for North Eastern Region) and Rs. 1,75,000/- for community hall. The expenditure is shared equally between Central and State Government. In case of UTs, the expenditure is fully borne by the Centre.
    
  • Group Accident Insurance for Active Fishermen: The objective of this component is to provide insurance cover to fishermen engaged actively in fishing. Such active fishermen are insured for Rs. 50,000/- for one year against accidental death or permanent total disability and Rs. 25,000/- for permanent partial disability. The upper limit for insurance premium is Rs. 15/- per head.
  • Saving-cum-Relief: The objective is to provide financial assistance to fishermen during lean fishing season. Beneficiary has to contribute a part of the earnings during non-lean months. The monthly contributions of marine fishers is Rs. 75/- for 8 months, while that of inland fishers is Rs. 50/- for 9 months.
    
• Scheme on Fisheries Training and Extension - The main objective of the scheme is to provide training to fishery personnel so as to assist them in undertaking fisheries extension programmes effectively. The scheme provides assistance to fisher folk in upgrading their skills. From the year 1999-2000, this scheme is operated with 80 per cent central assistance in case of States and 100 per cent central assistance in case of UTs and other organizations. Other components of the scheme are to publish manuals to provide adequate extension material, production of video films on the technologies and its publicity, to conduct meetings/ workshops/ seminars, etc. of national importance.

4. Scheme on Strengthening of Database and Information Networking for the Fisheries Sector -

This scheme is under implementation with 100% Central assistance. It consists of the following major components:-

• Catch Assessment Survey on Inland Fisheries
• Information Technology Networking
  
• Development of Geographical Information System using satellite data
  
• Census on important attributes of Marine Fisheries
• Catch Assessment Survey on Marine Fisheries