Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Monday underscored that conservation of marine resources and responsible fishing practices are indispensable to the long-term prosperity of India's fisheries sector and to realising the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. He made the remarks in Agatti, Lakshadweep, at a Fisheries Outreach Programme organised by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 Launched

The Vice President released the 'Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031' Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development at the event. The plan is aimed at developing ornamental fisheries as a structured economic opportunity for island communities. Radhakrishnan highlighted the government's enabling framework for sustainable harvesting from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas, stating it would empower fishers to responsibly access deep-sea resources and benefit from emerging opportunities.

Lakshadweep's Maritime Potential

Describing Lakshadweep as a 'priceless maritime asset,' the Vice President pointed to its 4,200 sq. km lagoon area and an EEZ of nearly 4 lakh sq. km. The archipelago holds an estimated fisheries potential of over one lakh tonnes, including approximately 94,000 tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species. Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of scientific harvesting methods, digital authorisation systems, vessel monitoring, international certification, and sustainable fishing practices to boost fisher incomes and strengthen India's foothold in global seafood markets.

Benefits Distributed Under PMMSY

During the event, the Vice President distributed benefits to fishermen under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These included support for acquiring Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels (DSFVs) for traditional fishermen, promotion of recreational fisheries aligned with the islands' tourism potential, safety kits for traditional and motorised fishing vessels, Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for fishermen, assistance for replacing old boats and nets, and supply of communication and tracking devices.

What the Government Said

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, said the outreach programme reflects the government's commitment to understanding the needs of Lakshadweep's fishing communities. He outlined a roadmap focused on enhancing fisher incomes, strengthening infrastructure, improving safety at sea, promoting value addition, and expanding market access. The Vice President added that the programme reflects the collective commitment of the Government of India, the Lakshadweep Administration, scientific institutions, and fishing communities toward a new era of sustainable Blue Economy growth.

Broader Significance

This is among the first high-level outreach events focused exclusively on Lakshadweep's fisheries sector, signalling a policy push to integrate the island territory's marine resources into India's broader Blue Economy strategy. With India targeting significant expansion of its seafood exports, Lakshadweep's deep-sea and ornamental fisheries potential could play a meaningful role in the years ahead.