On Monday, Amit Shah, Union Home and Cooperation Minister, reaffirmed India’s dedication to achieving self-sufficiency and sustainable growth in the fisheries sector. He emphasised the crucial role of cooperative empowerment and underscored the importance of providing deep-sea fishing vessels to strengthen the industry’s foundation.
Speaking at the event held at Mazagon Dock under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, Shah said the initiative seeks to unlock the full potential of India’s marine wealth.
“The benefits arising from the fisheries industry should reach directly to the toiling fishermen and the poor families associated with cooperative societies — this is the main goal of this initiative. In the next five years, we will create a system that will work for fishermen like dairy, sugar mills, and market committees, and will be the reason for their economic prosperity,” Shah stated.
A Landmark Step for India’s Coastline
Calling the scheme a landmark step for India’s 11,099-kilometre-long coastline, Shah noted that it would bring transformative changes to the lives of those who depend on the sea for their livelihood.
“This is not just distribution of vessels, but this is distribution of dignity, prosperity and self-reliance to our fishermen. First time in India, deep-sea fishing vessels are owned and operated by fishermen cooperatives, not private companies. Cooperatives are the soul of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in fisheries,” he asserted.
The Minister announced that around 200 trawler boats will developed over the next five years and operated through cooperatives, ensuring that profits flow directly to rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
“Whether it is milk production, the market, or fisheries, the profit belongs to the hardworking individual, a poor person living in rural areas, and only when these poor people become economically prosperous does the country truly prosper. This is also the fundamental basis of the concept of cooperation,” he noted.
Highlighting the broader economic impact, Shah said the initiative would enable fishermen to move beyond near-shore operations and venture into deeper waters, potentially tripling or quadrupling their incomes through access to high-value catches.
He stressed that the cooperative model would convert small fishing groups into viable business enterprises while promoting responsible marine resource management aligned with India’s blue economy objectives.
The Minister further urged states to adopt Maharashtra’s model, assuring central assistance for cold chain infrastructure and port facilities.
Emphasising sustainability, he said responsible fishing practices would safeguard marine ecosystems, ensure long-term productivity, and boost export potential, positioning India to become a leading global fish producer by 2030 and contribute to Viksit Bharat.
Financial and Institutional Support
According to an official release, each deep-sea vessel, valued at Rs 1.2 crore, is being provided with financial backing from the Government of Maharashtra, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), and the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.
The initiative represents a crucial step towards modernising India’s marine fisheries, strengthening deep-sea fishing capabilities, and advancing cooperative-led growth across coastal regions.
Traditionally, India’s marine fisheries have operated on a smaller scale, with fishermen relying on conventional methods and fishing up to 40–60 nautical miles offshore.
The introduction of deep-sea vessels will empower cooperative societies and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) to responsibly harness resources across the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the High Seas, particularly around Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The government said the move is likely to open new opportunities in high-value fisheries such as tuna, enhance seafood exports, and uplift coastal livelihoods.
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