New Delhi: The Department of Fisheries approved a ₹199.24 crore proposal to develop a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with full Central funding under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The approval was granted to a proposal submitted by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. Moreover, the project will receive 100% Central Financial Assistance. Officials said the initiative aimed to significantly upgrade fisheries infrastructure in the Islands.
The Mayabunder fishing harbour was planned in line with the Blue Port Initiative. Therefore, it will include safe landing and berthing facilities supported by modern technology and IoT-enabled systems. In addition, the harbour will integrate sustainable fisheries management practices.
The project will enhance fish-handling capacity and improve operational safety. It will also adopt energy-efficient systems and digital traceability. According to the Department of Fisheries, these features will help address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing through environmentally responsible methods.
The harbour will provide safe landing and berthing for 430 fishing vessels. It is designed to handle an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes. Consequently, officials expect substantial employment generation across the fisheries value chain.
Mayabunder fishing harbour to support tuna sector growth
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a marine Exclusive Economic Zone spanning about 6 lakh square kilometres. The region has an estimated 60,000 metric tonnes of tuna and tuna-like species. This includes around 24,000 metric tonnes of Yellowfin and 2,000 metric tonnes of Skipjack tuna.
To attract private investment, the Department of Fisheries organised an investors meet in November 2024 at Swaraj Dweep. The event focused on fisheries and aquaculture opportunities in the Islands. Investors working in tuna fishing technologies, seaweed, and allied infrastructure took part.
Under PMMSY, the Department has also notified a Tuna Cluster in the Islands. This move is intended to strengthen infrastructure, training, and investor partnerships. It is also aimed at improving global competitiveness of the local fisheries sector.
India’s fisheries sector has recorded steady growth in recent years. Public investment exceeding ₹39,000 crore supported production, infrastructure, technology adoption, fisher welfare, and post-harvest value chains. Fish production rose from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013–14 to about 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
Seafood export value also doubled to ₹62,408 crore. Indian seafood products now reach nearly 130 countries. Officials said the Mayabunder fishing harbour was a strategic step towards unlocking the fisheries potential of the Islands. The project is also aligned with India’s target of achieving ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports by 2030–31.
