Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an important meeting on Thursday to review the progress and future plans for India’s fisheries sector.
The discussions focused on advancing deep-sea fishing capabilities and increasing seafood exports, vital for enhancing India’s global standing in fisheries.
The meeting followed the Department of Fisheries unveiling ₹255 crore worth of projects on 28 April in Mumbai.
These initiatives are part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The scheme aims to strengthen fisheries infrastructure and promote sustainable development across coastal states and Union Territories.
To underline the government’s commitment, the Ministry organised the ‘Coastal States Fisheries Meet: 2025’, where Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated and laid the foundations for key projects in seven coastal states and UTs.
The total investment of ₹255.30 crore aims to boost marine fisheries productivity and support local livelihoods.
India’s fisheries sector plays a critical role in supporting rural economies and contributes significantly to the national economy.
With a vast coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 2.02 million square kilometres, India is endowed with rich marine resources.
The sector’s estimated potential stands at 5.31 million tonnes.
Coastal states and Union Territories, comprising approximately 3,477 fishing villages, produce 72 per cent of India’s total fish output and contribute 76 per cent of the country’s seafood exports.
This demonstrates the vital role of coastal fisheries in the nation’s aquaculture landscape.
The Ministry has also launched key initiatives to strengthen marine fisheries and promote sustainability.
These include the Marine Fisheries Census Operations to collect accurate data on marine resources.
The Turtle Excluder Device (TED) project helps reduce the accidental capture of marine turtles.
Additionally, the Ministry introduced a Standard Operating Procedure for the Vessel Communication and Support System.
This aims to improve the safety and coordination of fishing vessels at sea.
India stands as the world’s second-largest fish producer, accounting for roughly 8 per cent of global fish production.
Over the past two decades, the sector has transformed significantly through technology and policy reforms.
This has solidified India’s position in global fisheries and aquaculture.
The Union Budget for 2025-26 proposes the highest-ever annual support for fisheries at ₹2,703.67 crore. This signals strong government backing.
This financial boost is expected to accelerate sector growth, create employment, and enhance India’s export potential.
PM Modi’s meeting highlights the government’s vision to leverage marine resources sustainably while improving the livelihoods of fishing communities and positioning India as a global fisheries leader.
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