Fisheries Administration and Lagislation

Unit 3 - Fisheries development over five year plans

3.3. Development of marine fisheries during Five Year Plans
Coastal fisheries are a state subject under the Indian Constitution and coastal states have played a variety of roles in developing fisheries and post harvest sector. Though it is a state subject the central government continues to support fisheries by providing more capital intensive infrastructure investments for areas such as fishing harbours and deep sea fisheries (Bhatta 2003). Many centrally sponsored schemes are implemented by the states. The contribution of fisheries to national gross domestic product (at current prices) increased from 18,939 crore in 1999-2000 to 35,650 crore in 2007-2008 (GOI 2008). The study of investments made by the central government during five year plans shows that that central government expenditure on fisheries increased from Rs. 2.78 crore during first five year plan (1950-1955) to Rs. 1414.41 crore during ninth plan (1997-2002). The state government also enhanced the investment from Rs. 0.30 crore in the First Five Year Plan to 1692.5 crore in X Five Year Plan (GOK 2009)
Planned programme for the integrated development of fisheries in the country initiated from second year of second National Five Year Plan. In respect of marine fisheries development, in the first two Five Year Plan period (1951-56 and 1956-67) importance was given to introduction of mechanized boats, improvement of infrastructure facilities for preservation, processing, storage and transportation of fish and fishery products, landing and berthing of crafts and organizing multipurpose fisheries co-operative societies (GOI 1956) . In the third Five Year Plan (1961-66) and in succeeding three annual plans (1966-67 to 1968-69) an emphasis was given to encourage export trade in fish and fishery products together with the programmes towards development of fisheries education and research institutes. During fourth plan period (1969-74) measures were taken to strengthen the infrastructure facilities by constructing fishing harbours at major and minor ports and in further expansion of export trade coupled with the objective of improvement in the economic conditions of the fishermen (GOI 1969). Fifth (1974-79) and Sixth (1980-85) Five Year Plans provided for motorisaion of artisanal craft, introduction of purse-seines, development of diversified fishery products, encouragement to deep sea fishing through licensing. The declaration of 200 miles as exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the year (1977) was an historic event during this period (Anonymous 1978). During Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) attention was development of post-harvest technologies and in the subsequent two annual plan years (1990-91 and 1991-92) the development of deep sea fishing received further momentum. Priority was also given for the encouragement of fish marketing in the co-operative sector. It was also decided to set up Fisheries Industrial Estates, which provide landing centers with jetty and shore facilities, besides providing facilities for processing, preservation, marketing and boat making with supply of diesel and spare parts of the engine (GOI 1985). In the Eighth (1992-97) Five Year Plan period importance was given to development of deep-sea fishing by joint venture and coastal aquaculture (GOI 1992). During Ninth (1997-2002) Five Year Plan period importance was given to intensify research activities (GOI 1997). In the Tenth (2002-2007) Five Year Plan the development thrust was on management of coastal fisheries, development of deep-sea fisheries with equity participation and infrastructure development and improve post-harvest management (GOI 2002). Besides, development of infrastructural facilities marketing network through viable fishermen co-operatives etc. have been taken up to ensure better livelihood for fisheries and enhance export promotion for economic development of the country. It is only in the Eleventh (2007-2012) Five Year Plan an attention was given by the government of India to conserve the declining fish stock and depleting fishery resources due to increased fishing effort and coastal pollution. The main objectives of the Eleventh (2007-2012) Five Year Plan are enhancing the production of fish on an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable basis, conservation of aquatic resources and genetic diversity, strengthening of infrastructure in harvest, post harvest, value addition and marketing etc. (GOI 2007). These development programmes resulted in growth and expansion of marine fisheries sector in the country state by providing better infrastructure and facilities. As a result, today fishery resources are exploited by 107,448 traditional crafts, 76,748 motorized traditional crafts and 59743 mechanised crafts employing different gears varying from simple shore-seiners to modern trawl and purse-seine nets in the country (GOI 2008). The infrastructural facilities like fishing habours, jetties, and slipways at different shipyards, fishery roads, fish markets, and auction halls increased significantly. The fishery sector contributed over Rs. 28,000 million to the national GDP at current prices 0.95 per cent of the total GDP in 1987. Today, the contribution of fisheries to the national income is estimated at Rs. 35,650 crores at current prices, which constitutes 1.1 per cent of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5.34 percent of the agricultural GDP (GOI 2008).