The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has reported PMMSY support for inland fisheries in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, alongside a river stocking programme in the Cauvery river system. The development matters for UPSC because it connects a livelihood scheme, aquaculture infrastructure, and the seasonal nature of riverine capture fisheries in one district-level case.

What happened

According to information received from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur district has 1,480 inland fish farmers registered with the District Fish Farmers Development Agency and 1,234 inland fishermen registered in inland fishermen cooperative societies.

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has disbursed Rs. 196.30 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during 2021-22 to 2023-24 for inland fisheries projects in Thanjavur. The projects include freshwater finfish hatcheries, seed rearing ponds, new grow-out ponds, input assistance, biofloc units, and a recirculatory aquaculture system.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) studied the Cauvery river stretch in Thanjavur district and found that extensive diversion of river water for agriculture through a canal network has reduced river flow for most of the year. The river stretch receives water mainly during the monsoon season and through regulated releases from upstream reservoirs, so riverine capture fisheries remain seasonal and limited in intensity.

Under PMMSY, the River Ranching Programme in Tamil Nadu released advanced fingerlings in river stretches across the State, including the Cauvery riverine system. The stated aim is to enhance fishery resources, conserve native fish biodiversity, improve fish catches, and protect inland fisher livelihoods.

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