FISHERIES

Schemes Implemented by Government Agencies in Kerala

A number of agencies work under the department like Matsyafed, Matsya Board, Agency for Development of Aquaculture, Fish Farmer's Development Agency (FFDA), Brackish water Fish Farmer's Development Agency (BFFDA) etc. for implementing various projects and schemes for the expansion of fisheries in Kerala as well as for the welfare of the fisher folk.

Kerala Fishermen's Welfare Fund Board (KFWFB)

Welfare schemes have been implemented for the benefit of fishermen who are the members of welfare fund.

(i) Group Insurance

All registered fisherman of the State between the age group of 18 and 70 years are brought under this scheme.

Financial Assistance

Accidental death - Rs. 1,00,000
Missing                - Rs. 1,00,000
Permanent Total disability – Rs. 1,00,000
Permanent Partial disability – Rs. 50,000

(ii) Reimbursement of Medical Expenses

Financial assistance up to Rs. 2000/- is given as hospitalization charges subject to 24 hrs admission as in-patient and production of original bills and details of accident duly certified by the Doctor.

(iii) Death while Fishing or Immediately thereafter not due to Accident

The dependents of the fishermen who happen to die due to unexpected cause while fishing or immediately thereafter and those not eligible under the GIS are give an assistance of Rs, 20,000/-

(iv)Financial Assistance for the Marriage of Daughters of fishermen

Financial assistance @ Rs. 1500/- is paid for the marriage of all daughters of registered fishermen.

(v) Old Age Pension Scheme

Registered fishermen who attains the age of 60 years and whose annual income is below Rs. 5000/- is granted a monthly pension of Rs. 120/-.

(vi) Financial Assistance for the Death of Dependents

An assistance of Rs. 600/- is paid to the fishermen to meet expenses in connection with death of their dependents, towards funeral expenses.

(vii) Financial Assistance for Temporary Disability due to Accident

An amount of Rs. 500/- paid to active fishermen who happen to face with temporary disabilities due to accidents & are unable to go for fishing not less than 7 days.

(viii) Financial Assistance to the Dependents on Death of Fishermen

On the death of an active fisherman below 60 years, by any reason the dependents are paid an amount of Rs. 5000/-.  If there is no legal dependents the person who meets the funeral expenses is paid Rs. 1000/-

(ix)SSLC Cash Award and Scholarship

An amount of Rs. 5000/- is awarded to the student who secures the highest marks in the SSLC examination & Rs 3000/- to the student who secures the 2 nd highest mark among fishermen community in the State level. Students who secure the highest marks in the district level are awarded Rs. 2000/-

A monthly stipend of Rs. 100/- is granted to Ist and IInd rank holders in the state level, if they are continuing their studies for 2 years.

(x) Family Welfare Schemes

Financial assistance of Rs. 500/- is given to the husband or wife of the fishermen family who undergo sterilization operation.

(xi) Financial Assistance for treatment of Fatal Disease

Registered fishermen between the age group of 23 and 60 and who have renewed their membership for 5 years are eligible for an amount of Rs. 50,000/- for treatment of fatal diseases like Cancer, Heart diseases, Kidney diseases etc. A maximum amount of Rs. 12,000/- is given for paralysis and Rs. 5000/- for mental disorders.

(xii) Maternity Benefit Scheme

The wives of fishermen and the fisherwomen who are above 19 years are eligible for financial assistance of Rs. 500/- for each of the two live births for pre/post maternity care.

(xiii) Widow Pension

The widow of Registered fishermen who died before getting at least one installment of Pension are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 120/-.

Kerala State Cooperative Federation For Fisheries Development Limited (Matsyafed)

Welfare Activities

(i) Fishermen Personal Accident Insurance scheme
(ii) Matsyafed Input Security Scheme (MISS)
(iii) Special bus for fish vending women
(iv) Community Peeling Centers

Employment Generation Activities

(1) Schemes with assistance of NBCFDC
(2) Schemes with assistance of NMDFC

Centrally sponsored & plan schemes

(1) Motorisation of country craft
(2) Subsidy for suitable complements of fishing Gear
(3) Popularisation of new generation crafts

Brackish Water Fish Farmers Development Agency (BFFDA)

(i) Subsidy for renovation/construction of farmers

For developing new areas for scientific prawn farming BFFDA extends subsidy @ 25% of the capital cost subject to a maximum of Rs 30,000/- per ha water area & the entire cost of inputs for the first crop.

(ii) Subsidy for establishment of shrimp hatchery

To establishment prawn hatchery with a capacity of 2-5 million PL/annum. Assistance will be given to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh or @ 10% of capital investment which ever is less.

(iii) Subsidy for semi-intensive prawn farming.

For the construction of new ponds to under take semi-intensive prawn farming public sector enterprises/companies, corporations & private entrepreneurs will be given subsidy to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/ ha water area. Beneficiary is eligible to avail a subsidy at this rate for a maximum area of 10 ha at a time.

(iv) Incentive for training  

For imparting training in shrimp farming & shrimp hatchery operation stipend is given at the rate of Rs 25/- day/trainee for 2 months. Travelling allowance is limited to Rs 140/- per trainee for field trips.

Other agencies in the Kerala assisting fisheries sector

1. Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ADAK)
2. Fisheries Resource Management Society (FIRMA)
3. National Institute of Fisheries Administration and Management (NIFAM)
4. Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA)
5. Harbour Engineering Department (HED)

Last updated: 28-11-2006