₹1,053.60 crore approved under PMMSY for Karnataka, including 126 ice plants and cold storages and more than 1,000 fish transportation units

Key Highlights

• Post-harvest losses in Karnataka’s marine fisheries estimated at 6.21%–10.13% by a National Productivity Council study.
• ICAR-CIFT estimates losses at around 6%, while ICAR-CMFRI studies indicate 20%–40% bycatch, depending on fishing gear and craft.
• ₹1,053.60 crore in fisheries development projects approved for Karnataka under PMMSY.
• Projects include 126 ice plants/cold storages and 1,065 post-harvest transportation units.
• ₹37.47 crore approved for modernisation of Mangaluru Fishing Harbour.
• Gangolli and Malpe fishing harbours also receive approvals worth ₹22.18 crore and ₹12.52 crore, respectively.

Karnataka Targets Fisheries Losses with Cold Chain Expansion

Karnataka is strengthening its fisheries infrastructure to address post-harvest losses, improve fish quality and reduce wastage, with government studies estimating marine fisheries losses of up to 10.13%.

According to information provided by Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha, a 2023–24 study commissioned by the Department of Fisheries and conducted by the National Productivity Council (NPC) estimated post-harvest losses in Karnataka’s marine fisheries at 6.21% to 10.13%.

The Karnataka government has separately cited ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) studies estimating losses at around 6%.

Bycatch Estimated at Up to 40%

Bycatch remains another challenge for sustainable marine fisheries.

According to studies by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) cited by the Karnataka government, bycatch in marine fisheries has been estimated at around 20% to 40%, depending on the type of fishing gear and craft used.

The Department of Fisheries is encouraging sustainable fishing practices to reduce unwanted catch and promote more efficient utilisation of harvested fish resources.

₹1,053.60 Crore PMMSY Investment in Karnataka

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Centre has approved fisheries development proposals for Karnataka with a total project cost of ₹1,053.60 crore during the last five years and the current financial year, 2026–27.

A significant portion of the investment is directed towards post-harvest infrastructure and cold-chain capacity.

The approved projects include:

• 126 ice plants and cold storages
• 1,065 post-harvest transportation units
• 46 live fish vending centres
• 100 fish kiosks
• 1 fish retail market
• 300 Matsya Vahini mobile eco-friendly fish kiosks
• 1 state-of-the-art wholesale fish market

The transportation component includes refrigerated vehicles, insulated vehicles, motorcycles with ice boxes, cycles with ice boxes and three-wheelers with ice boxes.

The Karnataka government has reported that 171 beneficiaries have been supported under the PMMSY cold-chain infrastructure component.

Mangaluru Fishing Harbour Gets ₹37.47 Crore Modernisation Plan

The government has approved ₹37.47 crore for the modernisation and upgradation of Mangaluru Fishing Harbour.

The project is designed to improve:

• Berthing facilities
• Fish landing and auction infrastructure
• Hygienic fish handling areas
• Water supply
• Sanitation
• Waste management
• Harbour utilities

Improved handling and sanitation facilities are expected to help minimise physical losses and maintain fish quality between landing and distribution.

Two other Karnataka fishing harbours have also received approvals for similar infrastructure improvements:

• Gangolli Fishing Harbour — ₹22.18 crore
• Malpe Fishing Harbour — ₹12.52 crore

Sustainable Fishing Measures to Reduce Bycatch

Karnataka is also encouraging fishing communities to adopt gear designed to reduce juvenile fish catch and protect marine species.

Fishermen are being encouraged to use 35-mm square-mesh cod-end trawl nets, allowing juvenile fish to escape.

The State is also promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, enabling turtles to escape and supporting marine conservation.

These interventions are aimed at balancing fishing activity with long-term resource sustainability.

Focus Shifts from Production to Post-Harvest Value

The government’s approach recognises that increasing fish production alone does not guarantee higher returns for fishers. Better handling, refrigeration, transportation, storage and market infrastructure can help preserve quality and improve value realisation.

PMMSY supports the creation and modernisation of post-harvest and cold-chain infrastructure to extend fish shelf life, reduce losses and improve market access.

The Department is also encouraging States and UTs to increase value-added utilisation of harvested fish and promote a more circular fisheries economy.

Impact on Hospitality, Seafood and Coastal Tourism

Reducing post-harvest losses could have a direct impact on Karnataka’s seafood, hospitality and coastal tourism sectors.

For hotels and restaurants: Better cold storage, refrigerated transportation and hygienic fish handling can improve the consistency and quality of seafood reaching hospitality businesses.

For seafood restaurants: Reduced deterioration between landing and consumption could provide restaurants with better-quality local fish and strengthen Karnataka’s coastal seafood offering.

For coastal tourism: Modern fishing harbours at Mangaluru, Malpe and Gangolli can improve the wider coastal ecosystem while potentially supporting seafood markets and visitor experiences linked to fishing communities.

For culinary tourism: Better preservation of local fish varieties can help restaurants and destinations promote regional Karnataka seafood cuisine with greater reliability.

For sustainability-focused hospitality: Reduced wastage, improved resource utilisation and measures such as TEDs and selective fishing gear align with the growing demand for more sustainable seafood sourcing.

Bottom Line

Karnataka’s fisheries strategy is increasingly focused on what happens after the fish is caught. With ₹1,053.60 crore in PMMSY-approved projects, expanded cold chains, modern fishing harbours and measures to reduce bycatch, the State is working to improve both fisher incomes and seafood quality.

For hospitality and tourism, the improvements could mean a more reliable, hygienic and sustainable local seafood supply, strengthening Karnataka’s coastal culinary and tourism proposition.