Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas at Bhubaneswar on July 9, 2026. The initiative enables Indian fishermen to sustainably harness the vast potential of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 24 lakh square kilometres and the High Seas, representing a new chapter in India's maritime journey. During the launch, the Vice President also presented Letters of Authorisation to ten Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPPOs) and fishermen from across the country and launched the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document.
The programme reflects the collective resolve of the Union Government, State Government, and fishing communities to usher in growth, sustainability, and prosperity in the fisheries sector. India possesses over 11,000 kilometres of coastline with immense marine wealth that remains largely untapped. The new framework will enable Indian fishermen to confidently venture into deep waters for sustainable harvesting of high-value species such as tuna, moving beyond traditional near-shore fishing activities.
India is currently the world's second-largest fish-producing country, contributing approximately eight percent to global fish production. The sector supports livelihoods of nearly three crore fishermen and fish farmers, with seafood exports crossing ₹73,000 crore during the last financial year. The High Seas initiative is expected to further strengthen India's export potential and generate employment across various segments including harvesting, processing, cold chain, transportation, packaging, logistics, and export services.
The authorization framework gives priority to fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations, and Indian fishermen for issuance of Letters of Authorisation, representing a significant step toward empowering coastal communities. The Vice President emphasized that sustainable fishing is a moral responsibility, requiring economic progress to go hand in hand with conservation of marine resources. The programme includes digital authorisation systems, vessel tracking, international certification, and strict compliance measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
The event was attended by the Governor of Odisha Shri Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, and Odisha Minister of State for Fisheries & MSME Shri Gokulananda Mallik, along with senior officials and fisheries stakeholders.