The Government on Friday said despite limited availability of deep sea fishing vessels, India has been able to exploit over 80 per cent of its marine resources.

“Deep sea fishery vessels are limited,” Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha adding that the country was still exploiting 82 per cent of the available marine resources.

The government gives assistance to fishermen in purchase of deep sea fishing vessels or trawlers, he said.

Pawar said the government takes expeditious decisions on applications related to purchase of trawlers and currently only four such requests were pending and these would be cleared soon.

To query regarding impractical conditions and obstacles faced by fishermen in exploiting marine resources in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he said the government “promptly” addresses all issues raised by fishery associations from time to time.

An Inter-Ministerial Empowered Committee on Marine Fisheries also deliberate on issues raised by fishery associations.

Besides, the ministerial committee, the Government has set up an expert group to review the guidelines for operation of deep sea fishing vessels and another expert panel for re-validation of marine fishing potential.

Pawar said the policy on deep sea fisheries is an evolving process.

“The Government endeavors to provide an enabling environment for the development of deep sea fisheries in India through its policies and centrally-sponsored schemes,” he said.

With India’s marine exports on rise, Pawar stressed also on the need to focus more on inland fishery.

As per the data of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA, marine exports during April-July this year grew about 8 per cent to USD 643.81 million as compared to the same period last year.

In 2010-11, India’s exports of seafood items grew by an impressive 25.5 per cent to USD 2.6 billion as compared to the previous fiscal’s.