Department of Fisheries and Ports (Kerala)

The Department of Fisheries and Ports is an administrative department under the Government of Kerala, responsible for fisheries development, harbour engineering, port infrastructure, and the welfare of fishermen in the state. The department formulates fisheries policies, ensures sustainable marine resource management, oversees coastal infrastructure development, and supervises fishing harbours and landing centres across Kerala.

It is one of the key economic and coastal administration departments and functions through directorates, missions, and public sector undertakings. The department implements welfare schemes for fishermen, promotes marine and inland aquaculture, and functions as a nodal authority for centrally sponsored fisheries programmes.

Leadership

The Department of Fisheries and Ports is headed by Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Kerala, and the incumbent Minister for Fisheries is Saji Cherian and Minister for Ports is V. N. Vasavan.

Administratively, the department is headed by a Principal Secretary to Government, an IAS officer. The Principal Secretary is supported by Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and Section Officers in the Secretariat. The current Secretary to Government (Ports) is Dr. A. Kowsigan IAS and Secretary to Government (Fisheries) is B. Abdul Nasar IAS.

The operational wings of the department include:

• Directorate of Fisheries
• Harbour Engineering Department (HED)
• Coastal Shipping and Inland Navigation entities (selected ports and harbours)

Directorate of Fisheries

The Directorate of Fisheries is the primary operational field agency of the department. It is headed by the Director of Fisheries, who serves as the Head of Department. The directorate administers schemes related to:

• Marine fisheries
• Inland fisheries and aquaculture
• Fishermen welfare
• Marine conservation and regulation

Fisheries Officers are posted in all coastal districts and major inland aquaculture zones.

Harbour Engineering Department (HED)

The Harbour Engineering Department acts as the technical arm responsible for infrastructure development of fishing harbours, landing centres, and port engineering works. It designs, constructs, and maintains coastal structures such as:

• Fishing harbours
• Fish landing centres
• Inland waterway terminals
• Breakwaters and waterfront facilities

Functions

• Formulation of policies related to marine and inland fisheries.
• Conservation and management of fish resources and regulation of fishing activities.
• Administration and regulation of minor ports and fishing harbours across the state.
• Implementation of welfare schemes for fishermen including housing, insurance and social protection.
• Promotion of aquaculture, fish farming, and value-added fish processing.
• Infrastructure development through the Harbour Engineering Department.
• Management of coastal safety measures including modernization of harbours.

Subordinate Institutions

Directorates / Field Departments

• Directorate of Fisheries
• Harbour Engineering Department

autonomous bodies & PSUs

• Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation Ltd. (KSCADC)
• Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd. (Matsyafed)
• Agency for Development of Aquaculture Kerala (ADAK)

Major Institutions and Bodies under the Department

• Fishing Harbours (State-owned)
• Fish Landing Centres
• Inland aquaculture farms and hatcheries
• Marine enforcement and monitoring units

Fisheries and Port Infrastructure

Kerala has one of the largest coastal fisheries networks in India. The department oversees fishing harbours and landing centres along the state's 590 km coastline.

References