Major Focus on Strengthening Fisheries Infrastructure to Boost the Fisheries Value Chain and create better livelihoods opportunities
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Government of India organized thelaunch of Fisheries Infrastructure Project under PMMSY and Multi-Dimensional Capacity Building Conclave for Co-operative Led Seaweed Farming under Blue Economyon1stSeptember 2026, atKamarajar Manimadapam, Puducherryto strengthen fisheries infrastructure, promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for coastal communities, enhance value chain efficiencies and accelerate the development through a cooperative-led approach.
The Outreach Programme will be graced by the august presence of Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri K. Kailashnathan, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry, Thiru N. Rangasamy, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Puducherry, Thiru A. Anbalagan, Hon'ble Speaker, Puducherry Legislative Assembly, Shri Malladi Krishna Rao, Hon'ble Fisheries Minister, Puducherry, Shri G. N. S. Rajasekaran, Hon'ble Agriculture Minister, Puducherry, Shri A. Namassivayam, Hon'ble Home Minister, Puducherry, A. John Kumaradhas, Hon'ble Chief Minister's Adviser, V. P. Sivakolundhu, Hon'ble Civil Supplies Minister, Puducherry, Shri V. Vaithilingam, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Puducherry, Shri S. Selvaganabathy, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Puducherry, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India and Dr Sharat Chauhan,Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry.
The event also witnessed the participation of fish farmers and fishers including women fish farmers and fishers in person, along with officials from the Department of Fisheries, GoI, Government of Puducherry and representatives from fisheries value chain stakeholders.
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon'ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying,stated that the three projects inaugurated under PMMSY, namely the upgradation of Thengaithittu Fishing Harbour, the Nallavadu Fish Landing Centre, and the Advanced Centre for Innovation and Capacity Development in Seaweed Farming at Karaikal, are not merely infrastructure projects but long-term assets that will strengthen the livelihoods of fishing communities. Highlighting the transformative impact of flagship initiatives such as PMMSY, FIDF and PM-MKSSY, he noted that India's fish production has increased from 95.7 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 197.7 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, while fisheries exports have grown substantially over the period.Emphasizing the vast untapped potential of India's marine resources, he noted that the Government has issued guidelines and rules for fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and high seasfor Indian flagged vessels, introduced Access Passes and Letters of Authorization, and accorded priority to cooperatives, women cooperatives and self-help groups.The Department of Fisheries has reduced the fee for obtaining aLetter of Authorization for high-sea fishing from ₹25,000 to ₹5,000to encourage greater participation of fisheries cooperatives.He encouraged fishers to adopt deep-sea fishing, particularly targeting high-value species such as tuna, and informed that enhanced support for deep-sea fishing vessels would be provided under the upcoming PMMSY 2.0. The Minister also highlighted the growing potential of seaweed farming as a sustainable livelihood avenue for fisherwomen and announced the Centre's commitment to support the development of the Mahe Fishing Harbour project estimated at ₹67 crore, reaffirming the Government of India's continued support for the welfare and prosperity of fishers in Puducherry.
The Hon'ble Union Minister clarified that the recently introduced provisions relating to fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and high seas are aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities and should not be misconstrued as measures favouring corporate interests. He stated that the Government has accorded priority in the issuance of Access Passes and Letters of Authorization to fisheries cooperatives, women cooperatives and self-help groups, and encouraged fishers to leverage these opportunities to undertake deep-sea fishing for high-value species, improve incomes and strengthen export competitiveness.
During the conclave, The Union Minister launched fisheries Infrastructure projects worth Rs 36.49 Crore including ₹18.94 crore Fish Landing Centre at Nallavadu, the ₹15.63 crore upgradation of Puducherry Fishing Harbour, and the ₹1.92 crore Advanced Centre for Innovation and Capacity Development in Seaweed Farming at Karaika.
Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Hon'ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, emphasized the crucial role of the fisheries sector in strengthening India's economy, food security and employment generation, noting that the welfare and prosperity of fishing communities remain a key priority of the Government under the leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister. Highlighting the vast potential of marine fisheries, inland fisheries and seaweed cultivation in Puducherry, he stated that initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) are transforming the sector into a modern economic activity while creating new livelihood opportunities for fishers. He underscored the importance of seaweed farming as a future-oriented activity and noted that the projects being launched would enhance fisheries infrastructure, improve fishers' incomes and support the growth of the Blue Economy in the Union Territory. He also lauded the role of fisherwomen in successfully adopting seaweed cultivation and reiterated the Government's commitment to expanding the sector through technology-driven interventions and capacity building.
Shri K. Kailashnathan, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, highlighted the pivotal role of the fisheries sector in India's economic growth, food security and employment generation, and underscored the Government of India's strong commitment to the welfare of fishing communities under the leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister. He noted that fisheries projects worth ₹350.26 crore have been implemented in Puducherry between 2021 and 2024-25, including ₹296.43 crore as Central assistance. He further informed that projects worth ₹349.14 crore have been planned in Puducherry under PMMSY over the next five years. Highlighting key initiatives launched during the event and stated that it would enhance fisheries infrastructure, generate employment, increase fishers' incomes and transform Puducherry into a modern hub of the Blue Economy. He also emphasized the potential of seaweed farming in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for fisherwomen and strengthening the coastal economy.
Shri N. Rangasamy,Hon’ble Chief Minister of Puducherry,highlighted that the Government of India, under the leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, has been implementing several initiatives to enhance fisheries production, increase exports and improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk. He noted that nearly ₹130 crore has been allocated for the fisheries sector and emphasized the benefits being extended to fishers through diesel subsidy, boat subsidy, fishing ban period assistance, old-age support and educational assistance. He further announced that the Government would provide full financial support for the education of children from fishing families, from school to higher education. Underscoring the importance of the fisheries sector in strengthening the economy and ensuring nutritional security, he urged fishers to make optimum use of the infrastructure being created under various schemes, including PMMSY, and stressed the need for its proper maintenance to secure long-term benefits for the fishing community.
Puducherry is emerging as a model for sustainable and infrastructure-led fisheries development under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Blessed with rich marine resources and a vibrant fishing community, the Union Territory has witnessed significant investments in modern fisheries infrastructure, including the upgradation of the Thengaithittu Fishing Harbour and the establishment of a state-of-the-art Fish Landing Centre at Nallavadu. These facilities have enhanced fish handling, berthing, auctioning and safety arrangements, benefiting thousands of fishers and over 600 fishing families in the coastal region.
Further strengthening fisheries sector, the Government of India has adopted a cluster-based approach under PMMSY by notifyingKaraikal as a Fishing Harbour Clusterand undertaking the development of aSmart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Karaikalwith an investment of₹119.94 crore. The project will provide modern infrastructure for safe vessel berthing, hygienic fish handling and efficient fish marketing, while improving operational efficiency across the fisheries value chain. The integrated cluster approach will also promote the growth ofFish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs)and fisheries cooperatives through enhanced access to infrastructure, finance, technology, value addition and markets, enabling collective participation across the value chain, unlocking Puducherry's untapped fisheries potential, increasing fishers' incomes and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.
