The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has strengthened India’s fisheries sector, driving fish production from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to a record 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.

Fisheries exports also climbed from Rs 46,663 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 73,890 crore in 2025-26, reflecting strong growth across the sector, according to a government factsheet released on Thursday.

As PMMSY completes six years on September 10, 2026, the scheme has emerged as a landmark initiative in India’s efforts to modernise the fisheries sector, promote sustainability and improve livelihoods.

Since its launch in 2020, PMMSY has strengthened infrastructure, created new opportunities and provided consistent support to fishers and fish farmers across the country. Building on the Blue Revolution scheme, the government designed PMMSY to address critical gaps across the fisheries value chain.

The scheme has created employment opportunities for 58 lakh people in fisheries and aquaculture-related activities. It has also approved Rs 2,797 crore for cold-chain and marketing infrastructure, improving post-harvest management and market connectivity.

PMMSY has further supported 2,195 Fisheries Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) through projects worth Rs 544.86 crore, strengthening collective empowerment among fishers and fish farmers.

The government has also allocated a record Rs 2,500 crore in the Union Budget for 2026-27 under PMMSY, reaffirming its commitment to the sector, the statement said.

The scheme continues to drive large-scale investments in fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure. As of August 11, 2026, the Department of Fisheries had approved fisheries and aquaculture projects worth Rs 21,394.88 crore for the period from 2020-21 to 2025-26, including a Central share of Rs 9,510.89 crore.

The Department approved these projects based on proposals submitted by States, Union Territories and various implementing agencies. The investments are supporting infrastructure development and strengthening the fisheries value chain across the country.

Under PMMSY, the government is also expanding fisheries infrastructure, with a focus on fishing harbours, fish landing centres, cold chains, transportation and marketing facilities.

Over the last five years, the Department of Fisheries has approved Rs 3,741.89 crore for 28 fishing harbour development projects, 25 fish landing centre projects and 23 dredging projects.

PMMSY aims to transform India’s fisheries sector by increasing production and productivity, modernising the value chain, creating livelihood opportunities, raising incomes, boosting exports and Gross Value Added (GVA), strengthening fishers’ security and welfare, and improving fisheries management and regulation, the statement added.