Why in News?
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released ‘Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031’, a Strategic Action Plan for the development of ornamental fisheries, during a Fisheries Outreach Programme in Agatti, Lakshadweep.
Key Highlights
- Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 aims to promote the sustainable development of India’s ornamental fisheries sector.
- The Vice President described Lakshadweep as an important maritime asset with significant potential for the Blue Revolution.
- Lakshadweep has a 4,200 sq km lagoon area and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 4 lakh sq km.
- The islands have an estimated fisheries potential of more than 1 lakh tonnes, including around 94,000 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species. However, current annual fish production is only around 15,000 tonnes.
- Fisheries development projects worth more than ₹62 crore have been approved for Lakshadweep under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
- The government is promoting deep-sea fishing, tuna fisheries, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries and fisheries-based tourism to create additional livelihood opportunities.
- India’s seafood exports reached a record ₹73,890 crore in 2025–26, with exports reaching more than 120 countries.
- The Vice President stressed the need to tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and adopt sustainable fishing practices.
Focus on Tuna and Seaweed
- Lakshadweep has considerable potential for high-value tuna fisheries, particularly Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna. The government is also working towards developing a global “Lakshadweep Sustainable Tuna” brand to improve export opportunities and increase fishers’ incomes.
- Lakshadweep has also been notified as a Seaweed Cluster. A Seaweed Bank has been approved in collaboration with ICAR-CMFRI, while 575 seaweed cultivation units are being promoted to create livelihood opportunities for women, youth and self-help groups.
Ornamental Fisheries and Tourism
- Lakshadweep is home to more than 300 ornamental fish species. An ornamental fish hatchery has been established at Agatti, along with three rearing units approved under PMMSY.
- The government has also sanctioned 19 recreational fishing units to promote fisheries-based tourism and provide additional income opportunities to local communities.
Deep-Sea Fishing
- To expand fishing beyond coastal waters, 16 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels, each costing around ₹1.2 crore, have been sanctioned for Lakshadweep fishers with full financial assistance.
- The focus is on increasing access to deep-sea resources while ensuring that fishing remains scientific, regulated and sustainable.
Significance
Lakshadweep’s large marine area and rich fisheries resources give it an important role in India’s Blue Economy. Sustainable development of tuna, seaweed, ornamental fisheries and deep-sea fishing can help raise fishers’ incomes, create jobs, boost exports and strengthen coastal and island livelihoods.
The initiative also supports the broader vision of making the Blue Economy an important pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047.
India’s Marine Fisheries Potential
- Coastline: Approximately 11,099 km
- EEZ: Around 24 lakh sq km
- Marine fisheries potential: About 58.6 lakh MT
- People dependent on fisheries: Around 50 lakh fishers
- India’s major high-value opportunity: Tuna and tuna-like species
Government Initiatives
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY)
- Blue Revolution
- Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025
- Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025
