Infrastructure and Institutional Strengthening in the Fisheries Sector

The Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 was held on April 28, 2025, in Mumbai, where the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for key projects across seven coastal states and Union Territories, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These initiatives, with a total outlay of Rs. 255 crore (US$ 29.1 million), are aimed at infrastructure development and institutional strengthening. A national rollout plan is also underway to equip 1,00,000 marine fishing vessels across 13 coastal states and Union Territories with indigenously developed transponders, supported by a budget of Rs. 364 crore (US$ 41.6 million). As of now, 33,674 transponders have been installed to enhance vessel communication and safety at sea.
To address inter-state fishing disputes, the Department of Fisheries has constituted three Regional Fisheries Management Councils (RFMCs): Western, Eastern, and Southern, co-chaired by the Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), Department of Fisheries, Government of India, Ms. Neetu Prasad, and state-level fisheries secretaries on an annual rotation basis. The Gujarat Government has amended its Fisheries Act, 2003, to establish a dedicated Gujarat State Fisheries Harbour and Aquaculture Development Authority. Meanwhile, the Marine Fisheries Census 2025 has been launched in collaboration with ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), covering 13 coastal states and Union Territories. The app-based digital census aims to map marine fisher households, crafts, gear, and related infrastructure, with Gujarat alone targeting 70,000 households across 280 fishing villages in 15 coastal districts, supported by digital platforms like VyAS-NAV.

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