BLUE ECONOMY STRATEGY FOR WOMEN IN COASTAL FISHERIES

The Blue Economy Strategy for Women in Coastal Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), earmarks women as a priority beneficiary. Women receive up to 60% government financial assistance for fisheries and aquaculture activities, compared with 40% for the general category. In Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Fishermen Cooperative Federation (AFCOF) has converted 66 women fisher‑workers’ cooperatives into Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), releasing ₹69,11,452 for management costs and equity grants to 10 FFPOs, and sanctioning a one‑time ₹90,000 grant to an FFPO in Nellore. The scheme also supports diversified activities such as deep‑sea fishing, seaweed cultivation, cage culture, and fish processing, aiming to enhance livelihood resilience for coastal women.