New Smart Fishing Harbour to Boost Andaman Islands’ Fisheries Sector
The Government of India has given the green light to develop a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour in Mayabunder at an estimated cost of ₹199.24 crore. This ambitious project will receive full financial backing from the Central Government as part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The proposed harbour is designed to align with the Blue Port Initiative and will feature state-of-the-art landing and berthing facilities equipped with the latest technology and IoT-enabled systems. It aims to promote sustainable fish management and improve the overall fisheries infrastructure. The harbour will significantly boost fish-handling capacity, ensuring improved safety for operations and energy-efficient systems that promote digital traceability.
The development is expected to create job opportunities and enhance revenue for stakeholders involved in the fisheries sector. Additionally, it will contribute to combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices by adopting environmentally friendly approaches, playing a critical role in India’s pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Once completed, the Smart Fishing Harbour will accommodate up to 430 fishing vessels and handle about 9,900 tonnes of fish annually, marking a substantial enhancement in the fishing infrastructure of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Utilizing Vast Marine Resources
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands boast rich marine resources, with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 6 lakh square kilometers and a promising stock of fish, including approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species. To promote investment and foster growth in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, the Department of Fisheries hosted an Investors Meet on November 14, 2024. The event, held at Swaraj Dweep, attracted investors focused on tuna fishing technologies and associated infrastructure.
The PMMSY initiative has also introduced a Tuna Cluster in the region to enhance infrastructure, training, partnerships with investors, and boost global competitiveness.
Strong Growth Within the Fisheries Sector
India’s fisheries sector has seen remarkable growth, backed by public investments exceeding ₹39,000 crore aimed at improving production, infrastructure, technology, and fisher welfare. Over the last decade, fish production has more than doubled from 9.6 million tonnes in 2013-14 to approximately 19.775 million tonnes in 2024-25, resulting in increased seafood exports that now amount to ₹62,408 crore, featuring over 350 different varieties shipped to nearly 130 countries.
The approval for the Mayabunder Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour represents a strategic move to unlock the fisheries potential of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This initiative is a key component of the broader goal to achieve ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports by the year 2030-31.
Impact of PMMSY in the Region
Under the PMMSY, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have benefited from significant investments amounting to ₹55.73 crore to strengthen the fisheries infrastructure and support livelihood systems. This funding has allowed for the establishment of a comprehensive fisheries ecosystem involving production, post-harvest management, value addition, transportation, and fisher welfare.
Key outcomes include the creation of five freshwater finfish hatcheries and 23.2 hectares of new brackishwater ponds. Investments have also improved transportation logistics through refrigerated transport and insulated vehicles, benefiting over 1,000 traditional fishing families.
PMMSY has effectively enhanced the value chain from harvest to market by improving facilities for cold storage, insulated vehicles, and adding modern communication devices to fishing vessels. This sustainable approach to expanding both inland and marine fisheries is crucial for enhancing incomes, creating jobs, and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities throughout the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
