India witnessed a groundbreaking moment in its fisheries sector during the Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 held in Mumbai.
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the launch of projects worth ₹255 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), paving the way for comprehensive development across seven coastal states and Union Territories.
The event highlighted India’s transition towards modernised fisheries management. The 5th Marine Fisheries Census embraced digitalisation with the introduction of the VyAS-NAV mobile app. This initiative aims to collect geo-referenced data from 1.2 million fisher households, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and real-time validation. Alongside, the first-ever aquaculture insurance scheme under PM-MKSSY was unveiled, providing financial security to marginalised farmers. Beneficiaries can choose between Basic and Comprehensive Insurance plans tailored to their needs.
Guidelines promoting sustainable practices, such as the use of Turtle Excluder Devices and SOPS for Vessel Communication, were also released during the event. These efforts collectively underline the government’s commitment to enhancing the socio-economic conditions of fisher communities while preserving marine biodiversity.
The Marine Fisheries Census operations will span from April to December 2025, focusing on meticulous documentation of fisher families, infrastructure, and gear. The robust preparatory phase includes training enumerators, app development, and village validation.
India’s fisheries sector is poised for a new era of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.
