Under the PMMSY scheme of the Department of Fisheries, the Government of India is supporting fisheries cooperatives. In this context, the Sri Sengazhaneeramman Fisherwomen Cooperative Society in Puducherry has received approval for a PMMSY subsidy of ₹72 lakh for its Deep-Sea Fishing Vessel and accessories. To enable the cooperative to implement the project, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has sanctioned ₹88 lakh as term loan assistance.

This financial support is expected to significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the fisherwomen cooperative by enabling access to a modern deep-sea vessel, thereby expanding livelihood opportunities and enhancing collective economic resilience. The initiative shall contribute to empowering fisheries cooperatives, expanding India’s deep-sea fishing capabilities, and enabling technological upgradation under PMMSY. The project will also support the cooperative in improving access to deeper fishing grounds, adopting safer and more efficient fishing practices, and enhancing income opportunities for its members.

The initiative further reflects the Government of India’s broader focus on empowering fisheries cooperatives under the vision of “Sahkarita Se Samriddhi”. With this approval, the effort reinforces cooperatives as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth in the country’s blue economy.

This development is also aligned with the Government of India’s ongoing push to expand deep-sea fishing capacity under PMMSY. Notably, on 27 October 2025, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated the ‘Deep Sea Fishing Vessels’ at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. During the event, the Hon’ble Home Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening the blue economy and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by leveraging the transformative potential of the cooperative sector. The present sanction contributes to this national effort by enabling cooperative-led deep-sea fishing expansion in Puducherry.

Background –

As part of its continued efforts to strengthen fisheries cooperatives across the country, the Department of Fisheries has introduced structured mechanisms to enhance cooperative participation in the management of Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours. On World Fisheries Day, 21 November 2025, the Hon’ble Ministers of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Development and Management of Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours. The SOP provides clear, transparent leasing and participation frameworks that enable cooperatives to play a greater role in operating harbour facilities and related components, ensuring fair access, accountability and improved governance. States and Union Territories have also been empowered to adapt harbour management structures based on local requirements and to promote cooperative-led models such as the successful Munambam Fishing Harbour example.

Complementing these steps, a Joint Task Force between the Department of Fisheries and the Ministry of Cooperation is actively working to strengthen fisheries cooperatives nationwide, with the objective of improving institutional capacity, enhancing access to infrastructure, and expanding opportunities for fisher communities through cooperative-led models.

In a major step towards realizing the vision of a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy, the Government of India on 04.11.2025 has notified the Rules for "Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)". The Rules give priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) for undertaking deep-sea fishing operations and managing technologically advanced vessels. The EEZ Rules not only facilitates deep-sea fishing but also contribute to enhancing seafood exports by emphasizing value addition, traceability, and certification.

The fisheries sector holds a vital place in India’s socio-economic landscape, supporting nearly three crore livelihoods, particularly among coastal and marginalized communities. Recognised as a Sunrise Sector, it has witnessed sustained growth driven by policy reforms that have focused on increasing production, promoting exports, expanding infrastructure and fostering technology adoption.

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JP.