Indian Economy News

Department of Fisheries approves US$ 22.14 million Smart & Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, has approved a project for the construction of a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour in Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 199.24 Crore (US$ 22.14 million) and will be fully funded by Central Financial Assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme. As part of the Blue Port Initiative, the fishing harbour will provide a safe landing and berthing facility, supported by advanced technology, IoT-based systems, energy-efficient infrastructure, and digital traceability, to improve operational safety and handling capacity for fish. It is proposed to provide berthing facilities for 430 fishing vessels and support an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes. The project is expected to generate employment opportunities and improve the economic conditions of the fishing communities in the region, while also promoting sustainable practices to reduce Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Overall, the project is a step in the right direction to strengthen the fisheries sector in the islands and improve livelihoods through integrated infrastructure and technology.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an enormous Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 6 lakh square kilometers, which is rich in tuna species such as Yellowfin and Skipjack, with immense potential for export and value chain development. To attract investments, the Department organized an Investor’s Meet, chaired by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh, on tuna fishing technologies and infrastructure sectors. The fisheries sector in India has registered robust growth, with fish production at 197.75 lakh tonnes and seafood exports of Rs. 62,408 Crore (US$ 6.93 Billion). This growth provides a fitting platform for further acceleration through strategic investments such as the Mayabunder fishing harbour.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.