The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has outlined India's strategic push to develop island fisheries as part of its Blue Economy initiative, focusing specifically on Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), substantial investments have been allocated with ₹218 crore for Andaman & Nicobar Islands and ₹175 crore for Lakshadweep to strengthen fisheries development in these strategically important maritime regions.
India's marine fisheries sector operates within an extensive resource base, including a coastline of approximately 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 24 lakh sq. km. The country has an estimated marine fisheries potential of 58.6 lakh MT within its EEZ, supporting the livelihoods of nearly 50 lakh fishers. The sector contributed significantly to export earnings with seafood exports valued at ₹73,890 crore during FY 2025-26, reflecting its growing importance in the national economy and global seafood trade.
Tuna fisheries development forms the centerpiece of the government's strategic roadmap, targeting the substantial underutilized stocks of Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye tuna in waters surrounding both island groups. In Lakshadweep, a five-year plan aims to double tuna production to 50,000 tonnes through the induction of deep-sea vessels, mother vessels, and the promotion of traditional pole and line fishing methods. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are developing a dedicated Tuna Cluster under PMMSY that includes fleet modernization, upgraded fishing fleets, and expanded cold storage capacity.
The strategy extends beyond tuna to include seaweed cultivation and ornamental fisheries as complementary pillars. Lakshadweep has been notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster, with plans for large-scale cultivation, seed banks, hatcheries, and capacity building to develop value chains for food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. Ornamental fisheries represent another high-value opportunity, particularly in Lakshadweep which hosts over 300 reef-associated ornamental species, with plans for medium-scale rearing units and regulated collection practices.
Infrastructure modernization is a key component of the approach, with investments directed toward fish landing centres, ice plants, cold-chain networks, onboard preservation systems, fish aggregating devices, boat-building yards, and value-addition units. These measures aim to build local capacity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve market access for island-based fisheries to both domestic and export markets.
The two island territories together account for nearly 40% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone, extending the country's presence across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal with access to rich oceanic fishing grounds and major tuna migration routes. The strategic emphasis on these islands recognizes their importance in accessing underutilized marine fish resources within the Indian EEZ and adjacent High Seas, while prioritizing sustainability and scientific management in future expansion.