SRINAGAR: As many as 1,25,309 fishers in Jammu and Kashmir have been covered under the Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with five insurance claims settled for Rs 25 lakh, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The figures were provided by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in response to a question on financial assistance and relief measures for fishermen affected by weather-related disruptions and other challenges.
According to the ministry’s state- and Union Territory-wise data, JK had 1,25,309 fishers insured under the scheme, while five claims amounting to Rs 25 lakh had been settled.
At the national level, the Centre said it had released Rs 130.68 crore during 2021-22 to 2026-27 to provide insurance coverage to 167.64 lakh fishers, averaging 33.52 lakh fishers a year.
The government said the PMMSY is being implemented across all States and Union Territories, with proposals worth Rs 21,461.03 crore, including a Central share of Rs 9,571.09 crore, approved so far. For Andhra Pradesh, proposals worth Rs 2,328.89 crore, including a Central share of Rs 681.38 crore, have been sanctioned.
The ministry said PMMSY also supports resource-enhancement measures such as artificial reefs and sea ranching to improve fish availability and strengthen the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), 253 projects worth Rs 6,657.57 crore have been approved, with Rs 4,979.04 crore considered for interest subvention.
The government also said that the Andhra Pradesh Government had provided Rs 150 crore in diesel subsidy to 63,840 beneficiaries during 2023-24 to 2025-26. In addition, Rs 511.46 crore was provided to 2,55,731 marine fishers during the fishing ban periods in 2025-26 and 2026-27.
The Centre said scientific institutions, including the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and the Fishery Survey of India, continuously monitor fish landings, marine ecosystems and fish stocks to assess the effects of fishing pressure, climate variability, pollution and habitat degradation.
According to the Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022, 91.1 per cent of the 135 assessed marine fish stocks in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone were at sustainable levels.
The ministry said there was currently no direct and conclusive evidence establishing an impact of climate variability and marine pollution alone on overall marine fish production.
Under PMMSY, the government also provides livelihood and nutritional support to socio-economically backward active traditional fisher families during fishing bans and lean seasons. It is also working with States on artificial reefs, sea ranching and uniform annual fishing closures during critical fish-breeding periods to augment fish stocks and protect marine resources.
