The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying provided data on registered fishermen families and development initiatives in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district. According to information from the Government of Tamil Nadu, 1,480 inland fish farmers are registered with the District Fish Farmers Development Agency (DFFDA) and 1,234 inland fishermen are registered in inland fishermen cooperative societies in the district.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), ₹196.30 lakh has been disbursed during the last three years (2021-22 to 2023-24) for various projects including construction of 2 freshwater finfish hatchery units, 7 hectares of seed rearing ponds, 25 hectares of new grow out ponds with input assistance, input subsidy assistance for another 25 hectares of grow out ponds, establishment of 9 small Biofloc units, and 1 recirculatory aquaculture system unit.
An ICAR study conducted by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute in the Cauvery River stretch in Thanjavur District revealed that extensive diversion of river water for agricultural purposes through a well-developed canal network has resulted in reduced flow for most of the year, making riverine capture fisheries seasonal with limited intensity. The river stretch receives water mainly during monsoon season and through regulated releases from upstream reservoirs.
Under PMMSY's River Ranching Programme in Tamil Nadu, 176 lakh advanced fingerlings were released in river stretches across the state, including 59.76 lakh specifically in the Cauvery riverine system. This stocking is anticipated to increase fish production by 220 tonnes in the Cauvery river system, enhancing inland fish production and supporting the livelihood of inland fishers.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has substantially increased investment in the fisheries sector since 2015 through various schemes for holistic development, including in delta districts of Tamil Nadu (Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore). The Government of Tamil Nadu has implemented several activities under PMMSY and state schemes to enhance fish production, expand aquaculture area, and promote sustainable livelihoods through technologies like Biofloc Systems and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). Subsidy assistance is also provided under PMMSY for fishing gear to reduce operational costs of inland fishers.
Specifically, subsidy assistance under PMMSY has been provided to 355 beneficiaries from Delta districts for activities including input assistance, construction of freshwater finfish hatcheries, new seed rearing ponds, grow out ponds, establishment of Biofloc units, RAS, ornamental units, and purchase of fishing gear. The state has also facilitated stocking of 9.00 lakh fingerlings in Panchayat tanks covering 450 hectares across Delta districts during 2024–25 and 2025–26.