Bhubaneswar: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the high seas in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
He also launched the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document during the event. The vice-president presented LoAs for high seas fishing to 10 Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and fishermen from across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan said the initiative marked the beginning of a new chapter in India’s maritime journey. He noted that it would enable Indian fishermen to sustainably harness the vast potential of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas.
He described the programme as a reflection of the collective resolve of the Union government, the state government and fishing communities to bring growth, sustainability and prosperity to the fisheries sector, according to an official statement.
He pointed out that India has over 11,000 kilometres of coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 24 lakh square kilometres, with marine wealth that remains largely untapped. While fishing activities have traditionally stayed close to the shore, he said the new framework would allow fishermen to venture into deep waters to harvest high-value species such as tuna.
Radhakrishnan highlighted that India is currently the world’s second-largest fish-producing country, contributing around eight per cent to global fish production. He said the sector supports nearly three crore fishermen and fish farmers, and that seafood exports crossed Rs 73,000 crore in the last financial year.
He expressed confidence that the high seas initiative would strengthen India’s export potential and create employment across harvesting, processing, cold chain, transportation, packaging, logistics, and export services.
Radhakrishnan further said the new framework gives priority to fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and Indian fishermen in the issuance of Letters of Authorisation. He called it a significant step towards empowering coastal communities.
Calling sustainable fishing a moral responsibility, the vice-president said economic progress must go hand in hand with the conservation of marine resources. He stressed the importance of digital authorisation systems, vessel tracking, international certification and strict compliance with measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
He urged young people to view fisheries as a modern profession driven by science, technology and innovation, and called on institutions to continue supporting fishing communities with knowledge, technology and finance in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The event was attended by 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 Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, and Odisha Minister of State for Fisheries and MSME Gokulananda Mallik, along with senior officials and stakeholders from the fisheries sector.
