Key Details
At the Fisheries Outreach Programme in Agatti (Lakshadweep) on 31 August 2026, the Department of Fisheries presented a multi-segment strategy for developing Lakshadweep’s marine economy and released the Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development.
Large harvesting gap: Lakshadweep currently harvests about 15,000 tonnes annually against an estimated fisheries potential exceeding 1 lakh tonnes.
Tuna opportunity: Around 94,000 tonnes of the estimated potential comprises tuna and tuna-like species, principally high-value Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna.
Public investment: Fisheries projects worth more than ₹62 crore have been approved for Lakshadweep under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Deep-sea capacity: Sixteen deep-sea fishing vessels, each costing approximately ₹1.2 crore, have been sanctioned with full financial assistance and are under construction.
Seaweed economy: Lakshadweep has been designated a Seaweed Cluster and a Seaweed Bank has been approved with ICAR-CMFRI. Around 575 cultivation units, supported by nearly ₹2 crore, are being promoted.
New livelihood segments: Lakshadweep has more than 300 ornamental fish species. An ornamental fish hatchery is operating at Agatti, three rearing units have been approved, and 19 recreational fishing units have been sanctioned under PMMSY.
The Policy Focus Is Moving Beyond Near-Shore Fishing
Most Indian marine fishing remains concentrated within 40–50 nautical miles of the coast, leaving deeper waters relatively underused. Lakshadweep’s extensive maritime zone and tuna resources make it a potential base for expanding India’s offshore fishing economy.
The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 and the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas, 2025 provide the regulatory basis for such expansion. The framework includes access passes, letters of authorisation, vessel monitoring and other controls for Indian-flagged vessels.
Higher Harvests Alone Will Not Deliver Higher Incomes
Tuna is valuable only when the catch retains the quality required by premium domestic and export markets. Expanding vessel capacity must therefore be accompanied by on-board handling, cold-chain infrastructure, processing, traceability and international sustainability certification.
The proposed “Lakshadweep Sustainable Tuna” brand seeks to connect responsible fishing with higher market value. Its success will depend on whether small fishers and cooperatives can enter certified supply chains instead of supplying unprocessed catch on weaker commercial terms.
Seaweed and Ornamental Fisheries Broaden the Livelihood Base
The strategy is not limited to tuna. Seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries and recreational fishing could create income opportunities that do not depend entirely on increasing the volume of captured fish.
These activities may be particularly relevant to women, young people, self-help groups and small island enterprises. Fisheries Farmer Producer Organisations and cooperatives are expected to support aggregation, technical capacity, value addition and access to larger markets.
The newly released Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 Strategic Action Plan signals a national effort to develop ornamental fisheries. The PIB release announces the plan but does not provide its targets, funding or implementation milestones.
What Is an Exclusive Economic Zone?
An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the maritime area extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast, within which it has rights to explore, manage and use natural resources. Lakshadweep accounts for nearly 17% of India’s EEZ, despite its small land area.
Policy Relevance
Lakshadweep presents a test of whether India can expand offshore fisheries without reproducing the problems of overharvesting, weak traceability and low-value sale of raw catch.
Three links will determine whether the strategy works:
Resource to market: Scientific stock assessments and catch limits must connect with certification, cold chains and dependable buyers.
Assets to livelihoods: Subsidised vessels and cultivation units need operating skills, working capital, insurance, maintenance and functioning cooperatives to become viable businesses.
Expansion to conservation: Vessel monitoring, digital authorisation and enforcement will have to ensure that increased fishing remains within ecologically sustainable limits.
Progress should therefore be measured not only through vessels sanctioned or units created, but through sustainable catch levels, fisher incomes, women-led enterprises, export realisation and the health of marine ecosystems.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will Lakshadweep increase the value earned from its tuna and other marine resources while ensuring that expanded harvesting remains scientifically regulated and benefits local fishing communities?
Follow the Full Update Here: Fisheries Outreach Programme in Lakshadweep