INVC NEWS New Delhi — With a renewed focus on deep sea fishing and seafood exports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level review meeting on Thursday to assess the progress of India’s fisheries sector and chart its future course.
Last month, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying inaugurated a major ₹255.30 crore investment in fisheries projects during the “Coastal States Fisheries Meet: 2025” held in Mumbai. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh spearheaded the event, laying foundation stones and launching key initiatives across seven coastal states and union territories under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
Strengthening Rural Livelihoods through Fisheries
These initiatives reflect the government’s strong commitment to empowering rural communities and enhancing the economic footprint of India’s marine sector. The fisheries industry remains a critical pillar for rural livelihoods and contributes significantly to the national economy.
Unlocking India’s Oceanic Potential
With a vast 7,500 km coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone stretching across 2.02 million sq km, India possesses enormous untapped potential in marine fisheries—estimated at 5.31 million tonnes. Approximately 72% of India’s fish production originates from 3,477 coastal fishing villages, with seafood exports from these regions making up 76% of the national total.
Sustainability at the Core
The ministry is also driving forward strategic initiatives to modernize and sustain marine resources. These include the Marine Fisheries Census, rollout of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to protect marine biodiversity, and the release of Standard Operating Procedures for vessel communication and safety.
India’s fisheries sector is poised to become a key driver of blue economy growth, powered by innovation, community participation, and environmentally responsible practices.
