The marine fisheries potential is estimated at 5.31 million tons and its activities are spread along the country‟s vast coastline with 2.02 million square km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf area of 0.53 million sq.km. It is essential to optimally harness deep sea and oceanic resources, especially the tuna resources in EEZ and high seas which fetch high value in the international market. While the area of EEZ around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands accounts for 30% of total EEZ area of India, the fish production from the EEZ of these Islands is about 1% of the estimated potential. Marine fishing is considered one of the riskiest professions straddled with risk to life and livelihood. Security (physical, economic and social) of traditional fishers, fish farmers and fish workers from risks associated with capture and culture fisheries including natural calamities needs to be ensured. Besides, it is also essential to ensure that fishers and their welfare are at the core of the fisheries development plans. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aims to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component supports the following broad heads Enhancement of Production and Productivity Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework Eligible Beneficiaries Fishers, fish farmers, workers, vendors, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in fisheries sector. Fisheries Development corporations, cooperatives, federations, Entrepreneurs and private firms Fish Farmers Producer Organizations/Companies (FFPOs/Cs) Components of Assistance The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) as part of the PMMSY scheme assists coastal aquaculture through following support Training and Demonstration Interventions for Fish production, productivity and quality, fisheries infrastructure and post-harvest management, modernization and strengthening of the value chain. Construction of ponds for brackish water fin fish culture Input assistance for brackish water fin fish culture in ponds. Promotion of cage culture in Brackish Water Fin Fishes in Ponds and Brackish water Areas Input assistance for cage culture of brackish water fin fish in ponds and open backwater areas Need Based Financial Assistance for Development and Demonstration of Innovative / New Technologies Infrastructure and systems for seed and feed certification, input quality testing, aquatic animal health management including quarantine, and disease diagnostics laboratories and referral laboratories Income generating economic activities like Mariculture including open sea cage cultivation, Seaweed cultivation and processing, pearl and bivalve cultivation Pattern of Assistance S.No Name of the Activity/Scheme Unit Cost Pattern of Assistance 1 Establishment of need based New Brackish Hatcheries (shellfish and fin fish) Rs. 50 lakh/unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 2 Construction of New ponds for Brackish Water Aquaculture Rs. 8.00 lakh/ ha General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 3 Inputs for Brackish Water Aquaculture Rs. 6.00 lakh/ ha General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 4 Construction of Biofloc ponds for Brackish water /Saline/Alkaline areas including inputs of Rs.8 lakhs/Ha Rs 18.0 lakh/0.1 ha General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 5 Establishment of Small Marine Finfish Hatcheries Rs 50.0 lakh / unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 6 Construction of large Marine Finfish Hatcheries Rs 250.0 lakh / unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 7 Marine Finfish Nurseries Rs 15.0 lakh / unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 8 Establishment of Open Sea cages (100-120 cubic meter volume) Rs. 5.00 lakh/unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 9 Establishment of Seaweed culture rafts including inputs (per raft). Rs. 0.015 lakh/unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 10 Establishment of Seaweed culture with Monoline/tubenet Method including inputs (one unit is approximately equal to 15 ropes of 25m length) Rs. 0.08 lakh /unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % 11 Bivalve cultivation (mussels, clams, pearl etc.) Rs. 0.20 lakh /unit General category - 40 %; SC/ST/Women - 60 % Source: National Fisheries Development Board