Centre backs livelihood support, modern fishing villages, cold-chain infrastructure and skill development while highlighting increased kerosene allocation for fishing communities.

Key Highlights

• ₹1,413.91 crore worth of fisheries projects approved for Kerala under PMMSY.
• Projects include support for traditional fishers, modern coastal villages, fish markets, cold-chain facilities and fishing harbours.
• Livelihood assistance to continue during seasonal fishing ban periods.
• Kerala’s PDS Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) allocation increased by 419.78% in 2025-26.
• Government emphasises sustainable fisheries, value-chain development and fisher welfare.

Centre Approves ₹1,413.91 Crore Fisheries Projects for Kerala, Focuses on Traditional Fishers and Coastal Development

New Delhi, July 28: The Government of India has approved fisheries development projects worth ₹1,413.91 crore for Kerala under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), strengthening support for traditional fishing communities, coastal infrastructure and seafood value chains.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, said the projects have been sanctioned during the last five years and the current financial year (2026-27) as part of the Centre’s broader strategy to promote sustainable fisheries, improve fish production and enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of fishers.

Besides PMMSY, the Centre continues to support Kerala’s fisheries sector through initiatives including the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for fishers and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).

Support for Traditional Fishing Communities

The approved projects cover a wide range of interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening fisheries infrastructure.

Major activities include:

• Livelihood support during seasonal fishing ban periods.
• Assistance for traditional fishers to purchase boats and fishing nets.
• Development of integrated modern coastal fishing villages.
• Creation of climate-resilient coastal fishing villages.
• Promotion of alternative livelihoods such as bivalve farming, cage culture and ornamental fisheries.
• Establishment of fish markets, kiosks and live fish vending centres.
• Development of cold-chain infrastructure and fishing harbours.
• Skill development and training programmes for fishers.

The government said these initiatives are designed to improve incomes while ensuring sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

Kerala Gets Higher Kerosene Allocation

The Ministry also highlighted changes in the Public Distribution System (PDS) allocation of Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), which is widely used for special needs including fisheries.

According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Kerala’s annual PDS SKO allocation increased to 22,704 KL in 2025-26, compared with 4,368 KL in 2024-25, representing an increase of 419.78% under the revised allocation policy.

During FY 2025-26:

• Kerala lifted 17,724 KL of the allocated quantity.
• 4,980 KL remained unutilised.

Additionally:

• An ad hoc allocation of 1,716 KL was provided in March 2026, of which 1,512 KL was lifted.
• The state has been allocated 4,068 KL per quarter for both the April-June and July-September quarters of FY 2026-27.

The Centre noted that while kerosene allocation is made by the Union Government, distribution and beneficiary selection are managed by the respective state governments.

Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Impact

Kerala’s seafood industry is closely linked to its tourism and hospitality economy, where fresh seafood is a defining feature of coastal cuisine and visitor experiences. Investments in fishing harbours, cold-chain infrastructure, fish markets and modern coastal villages are expected to improve seafood quality, strengthen supply chains and support hotels, restaurants, houseboats and beach resorts across the state.

Support for traditional fishers and alternative livelihood programmes can also help preserve Kerala’s coastal heritage, creating opportunities for community-based tourism, seafood trails, fishing village experiences and culinary tourism. Enhanced fisheries infrastructure is likely to benefit popular tourism destinations such as Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, where seafood plays a central role in the visitor economy.