Post-harvest loss in marine fisheries in Karnataka stood between 6.21% and 10.13%, according to a comprehensive study conducted by the Union Department of Fisheries through the National Productivity Council of India (NPC), an autonomous organisation under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in 2023-24.

Informing this to the Lok Sabha on August 11, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said that Karnataka government has reported that, as per the studies done by the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), the estimated post-harvest loss is around 6%.

He was replying to an unstarred question by member Captain Brijesh Chowta who wanted to know about post-harvest loss and bycatch from marine fisheries in Karnataka.

Bycatch 20-40%

“Karnataka government has reported that as per the studies done by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), the bycatch was reported around 20-40% based on the type of gear and craft used in marine fisheries,” the Minister said.

He said the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), implemented by the Union Department of Fisheries, envisages support towards creation and modernisation of post-harvest and cold chain infrastructure to reduce post harvest losses, improve value realisation, enhance shelf life of fishes harvested. The Union Government encourages adoption of sustainable measures to minimise marine bycatch. Concurrently, States/Union Territories (UTs) are encouraged towards optimal and value-added utilisation of all harvested resources, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and promoting a circular economy in the fisheries sector, he said.

Fisheries projects

The Minister said that during the last five years and current financial year (FY 2026-27) under PMMSY, the Union Government has accorded approval to the fisheries development proposals of government of Karnataka with a total project cost amounting to ₹1,053.60 crore. The approved activities inter-alia included cold chain facilities like establishment of ice plants/cold storages (126 units.), post-harvest transportation units (1,065 units), which included refrigerated vehicles, insulated vehicles, motor cycle with ice boxes, cycle with ice boxes, and three-wheelers with ice boxes.

The activities covered setting up live fish vending centres (46 units), fish kiosks (100 units), fish retail market (1 unit), matsya vahini mobile eco-friendly fish kiosks (300 units), and state-of-the-art wholesale fish market (1 unit). The government of Karnataka has informed that 171 beneficiaries have been supported under the cold chain infrastructure component of PMMSY.

Modernisation of Mangaluru fishing harbour

Under PMMSY, the Union Government has approved modernisation and upgradation of Mangaluru Fishing Harbour at project cost of ₹37.47 crore, which envisages improved berthing facilities, modern fish landing and auction infrastructure, hygienic fish handling areas, upgraded water supply, sanitation and waste management facilities, and upgraded harbour utilities to minimise handling losses, and improve fish quality.

In addition, in the adjoining areas, modernisation of Gangolli Fishing Harbour (₹22.18 crore) and Malpe Fishing Harbour (₹12.52 crore) have been approved. Government of Karnataka has informed that fishermen are encouraged to use square-mesh cod-end trawl nets (35 mm) to allow juveniles to escape, and to install Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets to allow turtles to escape; both measures aimed towards conservation and sustainable fisheries, the Minister said.

Published - August 11, 2026 03:56 pm IST