Livelihood Support To Marine Fishermen During Fishing Ban Period

Description
Livelihood Support to Marine Fishermen during the Fishing Ban Period Scheme under the Department of Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha aims to support the livelihood of marine fisher families. This scheme is under the state sector Umbrella Scheme Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana MMKY . The scheme supports the livelihood of marine fisher families in and around the turtle nesting and breeding areas of the state including round the year fishing ban in Bhitarkanika areas as no alternative is available. As the livelihood earning of fishermen is solely based on sea fishing and the ban on fishing directly prohibits the profession over a long period of seven months in a year 1st November to 31st May both days inclusive along with a Uniform ban from 15th April to 14th June 61 days . Area of Operation: The Scheme shall be implemented in the Marine Districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam along the Coastline of Odisha where the marine Fishers who are affected due to the ban on fishing round the year at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National park and adjoining areas of Devi River and Rushikulya River Mouth for Sea Turtle Conservation.

Benefits
• Only one member of the affected families shall be assisted with ₹15,000/- annually under the scheme.
• The amount shall be paid to the beneficiaries between November and March of a financial year in one Installment.
• The assistance amount shall be released to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Eligibility Criteria
1. **The following are the eligibility criteria for the beneficiary:**
2. The beneficiary must be an active Marine fisherman.
3. The assistance will be provided to only one member of a family on behalf of the family.
4. The beneficiary must be in the age group of 18-70 years.
5. The beneficiary must be a permanent resident of Odisha and must possess identity and residential proof including an Aadhaar card.
6. The beneficiary must have a bank account in his/her name in the state of Odisha.
7. The beneficiary must be a boat owner (Motorized Boat)/ a crew member of a Motorized Boat / Fish trader/ engaged in sorting, and grading Fish, and other ancillary activities.
8. The Fishers should preferably belong to the BPL Category i.e. covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and not belong to the automatically excluded household under the socio-economic and caste census (SECC)-2011.
9. If the fisherman is a Boat Owner, he must have valid registration (Real Craft) and a valid fishing license.
10. If the fisherman is a crew member, he must work in a registered fishing boat with a valid date fishing license and will produce a certificate from the boat owner in this respect.
11. If the fisherman is a Fish trader / engaged in sorting, grading of Fish, and other ancillary activities he must produce a certificate from a registered boat owner in this respect.
12. **Note:**
13. Preference of selection of beneficiaries shall be undertaken in the order of:
14. Boat Owner.
15. Crew member of a fishing boat.
16. workers engaged in sorting, grading, and other ancillary activities.

Application Process
Step 1: Application Process:
Offline — https://fard.odisha.gov.in/fisheries-schemes

Application Process:

Required Documents
• Photocopy of Aadhaar Card
• Photocopy of Voter I Card.
• Photocopy of Ration Card.
• Photocopy of the Registration Certificate of the Boat.
• Photocopy of the Fishing License Certificate.
• Certificate of Boat Owner, while working as a Crew Member/other activities.
• Photocopy of 1st page of Bank Passbook.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the aim of the scheme?
A: The scheme aims to support the livelihood of marine fisher families in and around the turtle nesting and breeding areas of the state.

Q: By which department was this scheme launched?
A: Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, Odisha

Q: When was this scheme launched?
A: The scheme was launched in the financial year 2016-17.

Q: In which months is fishing prohibited?
A: Fishing is prohibited from 1st November to 31st May (both days inclusive) every year along with a Uniform ban from 15th April to 14th June (61 days).

Q: In which districts shall this scheme be implemented?
A: The Scheme shall be implemented in the Marine Districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam along the Coastline of Odisha where the marine Fishers who are affected due to the ban on fishing round the year at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National park and adjoining areas of Devi River and Rushikulya River Mouth for Sea Turtle Conservation.

Q: How much financial assistance will be given to the beneficiary?
A: The financial assistance of [?]15,000/- per year will be given to eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.

Q: When will the amount of financial assistance be paid to the beneficiary?
A: The amount shall be paid to the beneficiaries between November to March of a financial year in one installment.

Q: Is this scheme only for a resident of Odisha?
A: Yes, the beneficiary must be a permanent resident of Odisha and must possess identity and residential proof including Aadhaar Card.

Q: What is the age criterion to apply under the scheme?
A: The beneficiary must be in the age group of 18-70 years.

Q: How many members of a family will be eligible for the financial assistance?
A: The assistance will be provided to only one member of a family on behalf of the family.

Q: Is there any order of preference for the selection of beneficiaries?
A: Yes, the preference of selection of beneficiaries shall be undertaken in the order of (1) Boat Owner (2) Crew member of the fishing boat (3) workers engaged in sorting, grading, and other ancillary activities.

Q: By whom will this scheme be implemented?
A: The scheme will be implemented by the Director of Fisheries, Odisha represented through the Additional Fisheries Officers (Marine) of the concerned district.

Q: How Can I apply for the scheme?
A: The eligible fishermen shall apply in the prescribed format devised by the Department to the Additional Fisheries Officer (Marine) of the district through the concerned Assistant Fisheries Officers (ME Unit).