India’s fisheries sector got a big push at the Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 held in Mumbai on April 28. The Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹255 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These projects will improve harbours, cold chains, and aquaculture facilities across seven coastal states.
Digital Tracking of Fishing Boats
The government has started a national plan to fit 1 lakh fishing boats with indigenous transponders for real-time tracking and safety.
- Total budget: ₹364 crore
- Units installed so far: 33,674
This will improve safety at sea, prevent illegal fishing, and support faster rescue operations.
Regional Councils to Solve Disputes
To settle fishing disputes between states, three Regional Fisheries Management Councils have been created—Western, Eastern, and Southern. These will rotate leadership every year between the Centre and states.
Gujarat Leads with New Authority
Gujarat has formed the State Fisheries Harbour and Aquaculture Development Authority to speed up harbour and aquaculture growth.
First Digital Marine Fisheries Census
The 2025 Marine Fisheries Census, done with ICAR-CMFRI Kochi, will use mobile apps like VyAS-NAV for real-time data and geo-tagging. In Gujarat alone, 70,000 households in 280 villages will be mapped.