GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1414
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8TH MAY, 2015
MEETING WITH MINISTERS OF COASTAL STATES AND UTS
1414. SHRI A.U. SINGH DEO:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE
be pleased to state:
(a)whether Government has held any interaction with the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the coastal States and Union Territories in the recent past, if so, the details thereof;
(b)the details of the issues raised by various participants during the said meeting; and
(c)whether any corrective measures to resolve the issues/concerns of coastal States and UTs have been taken up, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE:
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a)Yes, Sir. A meeting was convened by Union Agriculture Minister with the Chief Ministers and Administrators of the coastal States and Union Territories (UTs) on 18th March, 2015. The meeting was attended by all coastal States and UTs representing the Fisheries Departments. Union Defence Minister also attended as special invitee besides, the Ministers of State for Agriculture.
(b)During the above said meeting, three main issues related to Marine Fisheries were discussed, namely (i) Report of the Technical Committee set up to review the fishing ban period imposed in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during the monsoon season, (ii) Report of the Expert Committee constituted under the Chairpersonship of Dr. B. Meena Kumari on deep sea fishing and related matters, and (iii) The proposed Marine Fisheries (Regulation & Management) Bill, 2012.
(c)During the meeting, majority of the States agreed to extend the duration of ban period to 61 days. They also agreed with the proposal of the draft Marine Fisheries (Regulation & Management) Bill, 2012. Subsequently, an Order was issued on 10.4.2015 to implement uniform fishing ban of 61 days in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters. Accordingly, the Fishing Ban is imposed from 15th April till 14th June, 2015 (61 days) in the east coast and from 1st June to 31st July, 2015 (61 days) in the west coast, respectively. This Ban period is imposed in the EEZ, beyond territorial waters and the coastal State/UTs have been advised to follow the same duration of uniform ban within their territorial waters (0 to 12 nautical miles). The states who would prefer to have fishing ban of less than 61 days in their territorial waters have been advised to reach 61 days ban period in their territorial waters gradually within a period of 05 years for the purpose of ensuring uniformity. During the meeting held on 18.3.2015, concerns of States/UTs on the Report of the Expert Committee on deep sea fishing have also been noted and it was decided that (i) Foreign vessels will not be allowed for fishing in the EEZ and (ii) Concept of creation of a buffer zone in the area between 200-500 m depth will not be accepted.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1416
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8th MAY, 2015
‘Observation of Expert Committee on marine fishing policy’
1416. SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE कृषि मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a)whether it is a fact that according to an expert committee on India’s marine fishingpolicy, India does not have adequate expertise or resources to exploit waters beyond 500m, if so, the details thereof; and
(b)whether Government has taken any measures to develop domestic capacity in this regard, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE:
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a): In the Report submitted by the Expert Committee under the Chairpersonship of Dr. B. Meenakumari for comprehensive review of deep sea fishing policy and guidelines it has been stated that India is presently lacking adequate skill and expertise to exploit the resources in waters beyond 500 meters. The Report mentions that the waters beyond 500 meter depth are not optimally exploited and there is considerable scope for expansion in this zone, mainly for tuna and tuna-like fish species.
(b): The Guidelines for fishing operations in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have been simplified and issued on 12.11.2014 in order to ensure smooth fishing operations in the EEZ. With the new set of Guidelines, smaller vessels of overall length 15 meters and above are also allowed and encouraged to venture for deep-sea fishing. Financial assistance is extended by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)under Ministry of Commerce for conversion of mechanised trawlers in to mono-filament tuna long liners.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1392
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8th MAY, 2015
‘Buffer zone for fishing’
1392. SHRI TIRUCHI SIVA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE कृषि मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a)whether Government recognizes the fact that traditional fishermen and small motorised fishing craft in the ten coastal States have been using the waters between 200 m and 500 m depth as their fishing grounds;
(b)whether Government recognizes the fact that a recent Expert Committee’s recommendation that water between 200 m and 500 mbe kept as buffer zone, will hurt the livelihood of these fishermen;
(c)whether the recommendation to throw open off-shore regions for fishing by foreign and joint venture companies would also work against the interest of the local fishermen; and
(d)if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE:
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a)& (b) The Expert Committee constituted under the chairpersonship of Dr. B. Meenakumari for a comprehensive review of deep sea fishing Policy and Guidelines has inter-alia suggested that the waters between 200m to 500 m depth zone may be kept as a buffer zone to augment the resources in both the near-shore waters as well as in the off-shore areas.However, considering the concerns and apprehensions expressed by stakeholders, the Government has announced that the concept for creation of buffer zone will not be accepted.
(c) There is no recommendation to throw open off-shore regions for fishing by foreign and joint venture companies. Further, the Government has also announced that the foreign fishing vessels will not be allowed in Indian waters.
(c)Does not arise.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1794
TO BE ANSWERED ON13th MARCH, 2015
Adoption of Dr.B.Meenakumari Committee Report on fishing
1794. SHRI K.N. BALAGOPAL:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE कृषि मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a)whether Government has accepted and adopted the Dr.B. Meenakumari Committee Report related to fishing, if so, the details thereof; and
(b)whether any apprehension and concerns by indigenous fishermen and traders were noticed by Government, if so, the steps taken on the basis of that?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE:
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) (b): Report of the Expert Committee constituted under the Chairpersonship of Dr. B. Meenakumari for comprehensive review of deep-sea fishing Policy and Guidelines has been received in the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture in August 2014. Representations from some quarters have been received on the report. The report has been placed on the website of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries inviting comments from all stakeholders.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. (S4390)
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13th MARCH, 2015
‘Off-shore fishing by foreign and joint venture companies’
S4388. SHRI TIRUCHI SIVA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE कृषि मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(c)whether Government recognizes a recent Expert Committees recommendations that water between 200m and 500 m kept as buffer zone, will hurt the livelihood of fishermen; and
(d)whether it is a fact that the recommendation to throw open off-shore regions for fishing by foreign and joint venture companies would work against the interest of the local fishermen if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE:
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(c) & (d): The Expert Committee constituted under the chairpersonship of Dr. B. Meenakumari for comprehensive review of deep sea fishing Policy and Guidelines has inter-alia suggested that the waters between 200m to 500 m depth zone may be kept as a buffer zone to augment the resources in both the near-shore waters as well as in the off-shore areas. In its’ another recommendation, the Expert Committee has also suggestedthat till the domestic capacity is fully developed, technology transfer through acquisition of foreign fishing vessels and, or, joint Ventures etc. may be considered to exploit resources in water beyond 500 meters.In this regard, the Government has decided to consult all the stakeholders including the Coastal States /Union Territories and fishermen associations. The report of the Expert Committee has been placed on the website of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture inviting comments from all stakeholders.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING & FISHERIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. (S2187)
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8th MAY, 2015
‘Misuse of Letter of Permit Scheme’
S2187. SHRI TIRUCHI SIVA:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE कृषि मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a)whether Government is aware of the fact that foreign vessels are illegally fishing in Indian waters by misusing the Letter of Permit thereby causing huge losses to the country’s exchequer and also affecting the livelihood of domestic fishermen;
(b)whether it is a fact that the scheme has yielded little either in terms of revenue, employment generation or the actual development of an indigenous deep sea fishing industry; and
(c)if so whether Government would agree to the demands of the domestic fishermen that the Letter of Permit scheme be scrapped; if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE:
(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) & (b): No, Sir. The Letter of Permission (LOPs) are issued to Indian entrepreneurs for operation of Indian owned fishing vessels in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The LOP vessels are fishing in accordance with the Guidelines prescribed in this regard. If any foreign vessel is found engaged in illegal fishing activity in Indian waters, appropriate action is taken as per the provisions of the Maritime Zone of India (Regulation of fishing by foreign vessels) Act, 1981. The LOP is issued in accordance with the Comprehensive Marine Fishing Policy (2004) of the Government, which has prime objective of sustainable exploitation of marine fishery resources.
(c) : Does not arise.