Bhubaneswar: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday launched the national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas, marking the beginning of a new framework aimed at enabling Indian fishermen to sustainably exploit the country’s vast marine resources beyond coastal waters.
The Vice-President also unveiled the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document and handed over Letters of Authorisation to ten Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPPOs) and fishermen from different parts of the country during the event held in Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan said the initiative heralds a new chapter in India’s maritime journey by allowing fishermen to sustainably harness the immense potential of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the High Seas. He said the programme reflects the collective commitment of the Union Government, the Odisha Government and fishing communities to promote growth, sustainability and prosperity in the fisheries sector.
Highlighting India’s marine resources, the Vice-President noted that the country has a coastline stretching over 11,000 kilometres and an Exclusive Economic Zone covering nearly 24 lakh square kilometres, much of whose marine wealth remains underutilised. He said fishing operations have traditionally been concentrated near the shore, but the new framework would enable Indian fishermen to venture into deeper waters for the sustainable harvesting of high-value species such as tuna.
Radhakrishnan said India has emerged as the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing around eight per cent to global fish production. The fisheries sector supports the livelihoods of nearly three crore fishermen and fish farmers, while seafood exports exceeded ₹73,000 crore during the last financial year, he said.
Expressing confidence that the High Seas initiative would further enhance India’s seafood exports, the Vice-President said it would also generate employment across the fisheries value chain, including harvesting, processing, cold storage, transportation, packaging, logistics and export services.
He said the new framework accords priority in the issuance of Letters of Authorisation to fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and Indian fishermen, describing it as a significant step towards empowering coastal communities.
Emphasising the need for responsible resource management, Radhakrishnan said sustainable fishing is a moral responsibility and stressed that economic growth must be balanced with marine conservation. He underlined the importance of digital authorisation systems, vessel tracking, international certification and strict adherence to measures aimed at preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The Vice-President also urged young people to view fisheries as a modern, technology-driven profession offering global opportunities and called upon institutions to continue supporting fishing communities through knowledge, innovation, technology and financial assistance to help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The programme was attended by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Odisha Minister of State for Fisheries and MSME Gokulananda Mallik, senior officials of the Union and State governments, representatives of fisheries institutions, fishermen’s organisations and other stakeholders.
