Record Seafood Exports Boost Blue Economy as India Unlocks Vast Potential of High Seas Fisheries

Record Seafood Exports Boost Blue Economy as India Unlocks Vast Potential of High Seas Fisheries​

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, successfully hosted the National Launch of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas on July 9, 2026. The event saw Hon'ble Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan launch the critical LoA and the Odisha Deep Sea Mission Document in Bhubaneswar. This initiative marks a significant transition for India’s marine sector, promising to unlock vast economic potential through regulated high-seas fishing operations.

The launch, attended by Union Ministers including Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Hon'ble Governor of Odisha Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, underscores the national commitment to strengthening maritime livelihoods. The event saw participation from approximately 1,000 fish farmers and fishers, emphasizing the fisher-centric focus of this new policy framework.

The Strategic Leap into High Seas Fisheries​

The LoA represents a major milestone in India's marine fisheries sector. Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted that the framework is designed to open access to high-value marine resources, thereby strengthening livelihoods and generating new opportunities across the seafood value chain. He stressed that adopting international certifications and maintaining quality standards are paramount for Indian seafood to penetrate premium global markets and drive exports.

The LoA mechanism facilitates regulated fishing operations in the high seas for eligible Indian-flagged vessels, including those affiliated with fisheries cooperative societies like NCEL and several prominent cooperative societies awarded during the event. This transition ensures that growth is always aligned with sustainability, requiring responsible resource management for future generations.

Ministerial Endorsements Fueling Blue Economy Growth​

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh detailed how the LoA operationalizes the framework established in the Union Budget 2025-26. He called the LoA a historic step, promising to unlock untapped potential through a fully transparent and online system for high seas fisheries. Furthermore, he reported that the Government has invested over ₹39,000 crore into the fisheries sector across various flagship schemes.

This investment has resulted in impressive results, with fish production seeing more than 100% growth. The nation recorded record seafood exports of ₹73,891 crore during 2025-26 despite persistent global trade challenges. Looking ahead, opportunities for the sector are further enhanced as future catch by Indian vessels in the EEZ and High Seas will be duty-free, and foreign port landings will be treated as exports.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, recognized the immense potential within India's Blue Economy. He stressed that fisheries cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) play a pivotal role. The LoA framework is set to help position Odisha, specifically, as a key fisheries and seafood export hub in eastern India.

State Commitment and Ecosystem Strengthening​

The initiative received robust endorsement from the state level. Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha, highlighted that the launch confirms a committed step toward sustainably harnessing high-seas resources through a transparent, technology-driven framework. He praised the Department of Fisheries for its efforts in advancing this sector despite global headwinds.

Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, detailed the state's proactive infrastructure building. Odisha is investing substantially in modern fisheries facilities, including wholesale fish markets and Aquapark, to ensure value addition and support seafood exports. He emphasized that the digitally enabled LoA process will promote transparency and ease of doing business for industry stakeholders.

Regulatory Framework and Inclusive Growth Focus​

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), underscored the significance of the national launch. The recently notified EEZ Rules, 2025 and High Seas Fisheries Guidelines, 2025 provide a robust regulatory backbone. He emphasized that the sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 3 crore fishers and fish farmers, demanding a concerted whole-of-government approach.

The LoA is designed as a vessel-specific, non-transferable unit integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal. This digitization ensures orderly, traceable operations. The initiative places significant focus on empowering FFPOs and cooperatives by enhancing their access to high-value resources like tuna and tuna-like species through a time-bound online process.

As per background data, Odisha has already demonstrated considerable strength in the sector. As of 2025-26, the state produced 12.70 lakh MT of fish supporting over 16 lakh fishermen. The state exported 1,00,897 MT of seafood valued at ₹5,428.67 crore during that year, driven by high-value aquaculture species and marine fish varieties.