Centre highlights ₹127.71 crore Seaweed Park, fisheries infrastructure, skill development and livelihood initiatives in Ramanathapuram under PMMSY.

Key Highlights

• ₹127.71 crore Multipurpose Seaweed Park sanctioned in Ramanathapuram under PMMSY.
• 13,949 fishers and fish farmers linked to ₹236.26 crore in Kisan Credit Card (KCC) financing.
• 88 training programmes conducted for 5,599 beneficiaries over the past three years.
• Financial support extended for deep-sea tuna fishing vessels, seaweed farming, cage culture and livelihood assistance.
• Investments continue in fish landing centres, artificial reefs and climate-resilient fishing villages.

Centre Strengthens Livelihood Support for Traditional Fishers in Tamil Nadu with Seaweed Park and Modern Fisheries Infrastructure

New Delhi, July 28: The Government of India has expanded support for traditional fishermen and fish farmers in Tamil Nadu through investments in seaweed cultivation, fisheries infrastructure, deep-sea fishing and skill development under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and other central schemes.

The Department of Fisheries said the initiatives are aimed at improving livelihoods, increasing fish production and promoting sustainable fisheries across the state, with a special focus on Ramanathapuram district, one of India’s key marine fisheries hubs.

₹127.71 Crore Seaweed Park Approved

A major project under PMMSY is the establishment of a ₹127.71 crore Multipurpose Seaweed Park, which includes a seaweed multiplication hub at Valamavur in Ramanathapuram district.

The project is expected to strengthen India’s growing seaweed sector by supporting cultivation, processing and value addition while creating alternative income opportunities for coastal communities.

Support for Fishers and Fish Farmers

During the last three financial years (2023-24 to 2025-26), financial assistance has been provided through subsidies, insurance and livelihood support covering several activities, including:

• Livelihood assistance for 1.19 lakh fishing families during the seasonal fishing ban.
• Support for seaweed cultivation and monoline farming.
• Construction of Biofloc ponds.
• Financial assistance for deep-sea tuna fishing vessels.
• Establishment of open sea cages.
• Refrigerated vehicles, insulated vehicles and ice-box equipped transport for fish vendors.
• Installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to improve fishing safety and sustainability.

Major Investments in Fisheries Infrastructure

The government highlighted several ongoing and completed infrastructure projects in Ramanathapuram.

NABARD-supported projects include:

• Improvement of fish landing centres at Thangachimadam and Kunthukal.
• Construction of a new fish landing centre at Pamban North.
• Construction of bait arches supporting fishing operations.

FIDF projects include:

• Fish landing centres at Thiruppalaikudi and Nambuthalai.
• Infrastructure upgrades at Rameswaram, Vaalinokkam and Morepannai.

PMMSY projects include:

• Installation of artificial reefs across multiple fishing villages to improve marine biodiversity and fish stocks.
• Development of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages.
• Establishment of the Multipurpose Seaweed Park.

Training and Capacity Building

The Centre said 88 training programmes benefiting 5,599 fishers and fish farmers have been conducted in Ramanathapuram over the last three years.

The programmes covered:

• Seaweed cultivation and value-added products.
• Disaster preparedness and emergency response.
• Aquaculture and mariculture.
• Cage culture.
• Boat driving and marine engine maintenance.
• Fish processing and ready-to-eat seafood products.
• Net making and recycling of discarded fishing nets.

Alternative Livelihoods and Institutional Credit

The government is promoting sustainable livelihood options beyond traditional fishing through seaweed farming and mariculture.

Key achievements include:

• Financial assistance for acquiring 45 deep-sea tuna fishing vessels.
• 13,949 fishers and fish farmers provided institutional credit worth ₹236.26 crore through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
• Establishment of 19,575 seaweed culture rafts and monolines.
• Development of 499 cage culture units across Tamil Nadu, including Ramanathapuram.

These initiatives are intended to diversify income sources, reduce pressure on marine resources and improve resilience among coastal communities.

Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Impact

The investments are expected to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s seafood value chain, benefiting hotels, restaurants, seafood exporters and coastal hospitality businesses. Improved fish landing centres, cold-chain infrastructure and deep-sea fishing capacity can enhance the availability of premium seafood for hospitality establishments while supporting export-quality production.

The Multipurpose Seaweed Park also opens new opportunities for the state’s emerging seaweed-based food, nutraceutical and wellness industries, which are increasingly relevant to hospitality and health-focused tourism. In addition, infrastructure upgrades and climate-resilient fishing villages in destinations such as Rameswaram, Mandapam and the Gulf of Mannar can support coastal tourism, seafood trails, eco-tourism and community-based tourism, creating new visitor experiences while generating sustainable livelihoods for fishing communities.