Every year on November 21, World Fisheries Day provides a significant opportunity to consider the social, ecological, and economic importance of both inland and marine fisheries. The day highlights the world’s commitment to sustainable fishing methods and the protection of the rights of fishing communities. More than 30 million people rely on the fishing industry for their livelihoods. This plays a major role in the nation’s expanding blue economy and nutritional security. 72% of fish output and 76% of seafood exports are produced in coastal states and Union Territories. India will commemorate the day in 2025 under the subject “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports.” From issuing the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture to recommendations for mariculture, smart harbours, reservoir fisheries, and coastal aquaculture, the nation witnessed participation of delegates from 27 different countries. These programmes demonstrate India’s goal to combine ecological sustainability with digital governance, export competitiveness and the expansion of sustainable livelihoods.
Why Fisheries and the Marine Sector Matter?
India’s development is influenced by fisheries in several ways. From an ecological perspective, they are integrated into marine and coastal ecosystems that regulate the climate, preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological equilibrium. India contributes around 8% of the world’s fish production, making it the second-largest fish-producing nation. Fish production in the sector doubled from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013–14 to 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–2025, with inland fisheries alone seeing a 140% increase. Exports of marine products increased by 11.08 per cent between October 2024 and October 2025, while seafood exports reached ₹62,408 crore in 2024–2025. In 3,477 fishing villages where small-scale fishermen rely largely on near-shore resources, fisheries serve as the social and economic foundation of coastal communities. The post-harvest and processing industry is crucial to gender-inclusive development because women make up a sizable portion of these workers. Therefore, bolstering fisheries is not only a matter of commercial importance but also a necessity for social protection and livelihood.
India’s Progress: Policy and Infrastructure Expansion
Over the past decade, India’s fishing industry has undergone rapid advancement, with a focus on government initiatives that integrate welfare programs, digital governance, and infrastructure development.
With an investment of ₹20,312 crore for the period 2020–2026, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has become the primary initiative spearheading the Blue Revolution. By 2025, the program helped establish 223 retail/wholesale fish markets, 6,410 fish kiosks, 26,348 fish transport units, and 730 cold storage and ice plants. Additionally, PMMSY supports cooperatives, credit access, skill development, and gender empowerment by providing 60% of financial aid to female beneficiaries.
With the capital of ₹7,522 crore and an extension till 2026, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) offers concessional financing through scheduled banks, NABARD, and NCDC. As of July 2025, 178 projects totalling ₹6,369 crore had been approved, greatly improving aquaculture, storage, and post-harvest infrastructure.
Another important pillar of advancement is digitalisation. Online vessel registration and licensing are made possible by the ReALCRaft technology, which lowers compliance costs and improves transparency. Through real-time tracking and SOS capabilities, the NABHMITRA tracking system and the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) enhance the safety of small fishing vessels.
An important advancement in data-driven governance is represented by India’s Marine Fisheries Census 2025, which is fully digitised and georeferenced. It enables fisher families to digitally access programs like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), which increases aquaculture insurance and formalisation, through integration with the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
Vision and Future Trajectory
Three strategic objectives are in line with India’s new fishing vision:
- Sustainability and Climate Resilience: The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules (2025) place a high priority on expanding mariculture, eliminating harmful activities, and managing ecosystems. Community planning incorporates climate adaptation through initiatives to transform 100 coastal villages into Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs).
- Traceable and Digital Value Chains: The recently implemented National Traceability Framework aims to improve certification, quality control, and adherence to international market standards, all of which are critical for seafood exports.
- Social Impact and Inclusive Growth: The industry aims to enhance social protection while increasing earning prospects by prioritising women, strengthening cooperatives and FPOs, and improving fisher safety.
Strengthening Sustainability and Coastal Livelihoods
A comprehensive strategy that incorporates ecological stewardship, value-chain improvement, social protection, digital governance and international cooperation is needed to strengthen sustainability and coastal livelihoods. First, enhancing ecosystem-based management is crucial to protecting marine resources; this entails growing community-led co-management models, incorporating climate-risk assessments into coastal planning, and providing incentives for sustainable fishing methods and equipment. At the same time, increasing processing capacity and value addition are essential for raising revenues and competitiveness. Productivity and gender inclusion can be significantly increased by establishing regional seafood parks, modernising cold-chain infrastructure, and providing targeted skill development, particularly for women in post-harvest processing. It is equally important to strengthen insurance and social protection mechanisms, especially by expanding PM-MKSSY to include more small-scale aquaculture units and creating comprehensive safety nets, such as income stabilisation and weather-linked insurance, to shield fishermen from market and climate uncertainties. Another essential pillar is digital integration, which will enhance transparency, lessen administrative burdens, and facilitate real-time monitoring and decision-making by combining platforms like ReALCRaft, NFDP, and VCSS into a unified digital fisheries ecosystem. Lastly, strengthening international cooperation in sustainable aquaculture, traceability systems, and marine spatial planning will help establish India as a global leader in the responsible management of marine resources. When considered collectively, these actions make the fishing industry more resilient, inclusive, and better prepared for the future.
Conclusion
The trajectory of India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector reveals both notable advancements and enduring structural challenges. The institutional environment, which encompasses international organisations, national research organisations, regulatory bodies, and corporate actors, provides a solid foundation for value-chain development and innovation. However, addressing ecological stressors, bolstering governance, improving inclusivity, and integrating climate resilience throughout production systems are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of this increase. India is well-positioned to promote a Blue Transformation that creates economic value. This can be achieved while maintaining ecosystems and safeguarding vulnerable communities through ongoing cooperation.
Clear Cut Livelihood Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Nov,22 2025 04:49 IST
Written By: Nidhi Chandrikapure
