Several initiatives and measures have been taken, both by the Centre and the States, for the proper implementation of the schemes and policies relating to fisheries sector in India. The progress of the Centrally sponsored schemes under the sector is as follows:-

1. Under the 'Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture', a sum of Rs. 20.75 crore was released during the financial year 2006-07. During 2007-08 (till December, 2007), an amount of Rs. 9.67 crore has been released to the various States and Union Territories (UTs) for achieving the target of covering 40,000 ha water area under fish culture and training of 27,000 fish farmers.
2. In the Scheme of 'Development of Freshwater Aquaculture', during 2006-07, additional area of 22,984 hectare was brought under fish culture and 37,923 fishers were trained in improved practices. The scheme has benefited about 33898 persons. Due to introduction of improved technology of fish farming and the efforts of FFDA's, the national average productivity of ponds and tanks covered under the programme has reached a figure of 3100 kg/ha/annum. Since inception of the scheme, till 2006-07, about 7.21 lakh ha water area has been brought under fish culture and 8.63 lakh fishers have been trained in improved practices of fish farming, and the number of beneficiaries covered under the programme is about 12.38 lakh.
3. Since the inception of the ongoing scheme of 'Development of Brackish Water Aquaculture', till 2006-07, about 28,885 ha water area has been brought under shrimp culture and 27,236 shrimp farmers have been trained in improved practices of shrimp farming. The number of beneficiaries covered under the programme is about 25,726 numbers.
4. A sum of Rs. 48.48 crores was released during 2006-07 and Rs. 31.06 crores released during 2007-08 (till 31st December 2007) to the implementing agencies under the Centrally Sponsored 'Scheme on Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post Harvest Operations'.
5. Under the Scheme 'Development of Coastal Fisheries', the position finding and communication equipment have been installed for the safety of fishermen at sea. The unit cost of these equipments together works out to about Rs. 1.50 lakh, 20% of which, not exceeding Rs. 30,000 was provided as back ended subsidy through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to benefit 1,666 boats in the 10th Plan. While, the amount of Rs. 1532.35 lakh was released during 2006-07 for the scheme 'Fishermen Development Rebate on HSD Oil'.
6. Under the component of 'Resource Specific Deep Sea Fishing Vessels', for technology acquisition and financial incentive, conversion of 10 numbers of the existing shrimp trawlers is envisaged for which a backended subsidy of Rs. 15 lakh per vessel will be provided.
7. Under the scheme on 'Establishment of Fishing Harbours and Fish Landing Centres', 6 major fishing harbours, 58 minor fishing harbours and 189 fish landing centres have been taken up for implementation in various coastal States/UTs. Besides, 12 minor fishing harbours and 11 fish landing centres have been taken up for repair and renovation/modernization. An outlay of Rs. 100.00 crore was allocated for implementation of this component during the Tenth Five Year Plan. The Central financial assistance under this component provided to various implementing agencies consists of:- (i) 50% of project cost to coastal States and 100% to UTs for construction of minor fishing harbours and fish landing centres; (ii) 100% assistance to the coastal States, UTs and Port Trusts and providing infrastructure facilities for safe Fishermen Associations/Organization for construction of major fishing harbours; (iii) 50% assistance for construction of minor fishing harbours and fish landing centres on Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) basis. Besides, construction of new fishing harbours/fish landing centres and modernization of existing facilities have also been undertaken under this component. The central financial assistance to the tune of 50% of the project cost to the coastal States as well as Port Trusts and 100% to the UTs for repair and renovation/ modernization of existing fishing harbours and fish landing centres is provided.
8. Under the scheme on 'Maintenance of Dredger TSD Sindhuraj', Central assistance to the tune of 50% of the cost of dredging/ desilting at existing fishing harbours and fish landing centers has been provided to various implementing agencies for dredging/ desilting of existing fishing harbours and fish landing centers. In case of UTs, 100% cost of maintenance; dredging is borne by the Union Government.
9. With a view to strengthening the post-harvest infrastructure and minimize the post-harvest losses through ideal marketing system, the 'Development of Post Harvest Infrastructure' scheme was modified and continued as a component of the macro scheme during the 10th Plan. During this period, 13 ice plants/ cold storages, 45 fish retail outlets/ kiosks, 31 insulated refrigerated vehicles were set up in the country. During 2006-07 and 2007-08 (till December 2007), an amount of Rs. 4.78 crore and Rs. 0.92 crore respectively have been released.
10. Regarding Centrally Sponsored 'National Scheme on Welfare Programme for Fishermen, Fisheries Training and Extension':-
    • A sum of Rs 23.80 crore was released to States / UT's / FISHCOPFED during 2006-07 to cover about 2.20 lakh fishers under Saving -cum-Relief component, for construction of 2433 houses and to cover 16.55 lakh fishermen under Group Accident Insurance component. During 2007-08, a sum of Rs 15.37 crore was released till 31st December, 2007 to States / UT's / FISHCOPFED to cover about 1.07 lakh fishers under Saving-cum-Relief component, to construct 4373 houses for fishers and to cover 18.22 lakh fishers under Group Accident Insurance.
    • During 2006-07, an amount of Rs 2.59 crore was released to various States/organizations for training of fish farmers, setting up/up gradation of 4 training centres, establishment of awareness centre, preparation of training/extension manuals, publication of handbooks, production of documentary film and organization of Workshops and Seminars. During 2007-08 (till 31st December, 2007), an amount of Rs 0.74 crore has been released to various States/Organizations for the same purpose.
11. Under the Scheme on 'Strengthening of Database and Information Networking for Fisheries Sector', a sum of Rs. 3.63 crore was released during 2006-07 and a sum of Rs. 2.22 crore was released till 31st December, 2007 during 2007-08.
    

Besides, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is making all efforts to bring numerous investments into the fish processing sector. It is actively engaged in extending the financial assistance for setting up/ technology upgradation/ modernization of fish processing units. During 2006-07, the financial assistance of Rs. 3.82 crores was provided to 17 seafood processing units. While, during 2007-08 (upto 31.12.08), an amount of Rs. 2.01 crores has been provided to 10 seafood processing units. During the 11th five year plan, the Scheme for providing financial assistance to setting up/ modernization/ upgradation of food processing project has been decentralized (w.e.f. 01.04.2007). Under the decentralized scheme upto 31.12.2007, in the fisheries sector, 13 cases involving Rs. 5.82 crores have been approved for providing financial assistance through banks.