Launch of High Seas Fishing Authorization and Odisha Deep Sea Mission
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India organized the national launch of the Letter of Authorization (LoA) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas on July 9, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event was graced by Hon'ble Vice President of India Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, who launched both the LoA system and the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document. The ceremony was attended by approximately 1,000 fish farmers and fishers, including women participants, along with officials from the Government of Odisha and line ministries.
The LoA represents a mandatory provision under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025, notified on December 9, 2025. This framework establishes a transparent and accountable system for Indian-flagged vessels undertaking fishing operations in high seas areas beyond India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The authorization is vessel-specific, non-transferable, and integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal, ensuring orderly, traceable, and monitored operations. The LoA is issued and renewed at minimal cost with no procedural constraints and features real-time application tracking.
Six fisheries cooperative societies received the inaugural LoAs: Shree Mahavir Machhimar Sahakari Mandali Ltd, Shri Martanda Prassanna Colaba Matsyodyog Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, South Goa Mechanized Boat Owners Coop. & Marketing Society Ltd, Paradeep Marine Primary Fish Production & Marketing Co-op. Society Ltd, Thengapattanam Deep Sea Fish Producers Cooperative Society, and Malpe Fishermen's Primary Co-Operative Society Ltd. National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) was also among the recipients.
Vessels operating under LoA must comply with conservation and management measures prescribed by relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), including catch limits, gear regulations, bycatch mitigation measures, Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) management, and voyage reporting requirements. The initiative aims to strengthen Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives by facilitating their participation in sustainable deep-sea and high-seas fisheries, enhancing access to high-value resources particularly tuna and tuna-like species.
The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026-2036) is a flagship Blue Economy initiative of the Government of Odisha aimed at unlocking the state's offshore and deep-sea fisheries potential. The mission seeks to establish Odisha as a leading deep-sea fishing and marine export hub through investments in modern fishing infrastructure, value chains, scientific fisheries management, and market linkages. Objectives include enhancing fish production, generating employment, boosting fisher incomes, and driving sustainable growth of the marine fisheries sector.
India's marine fisheries context includes a coastline of approximately 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 24 lakh sq. km, with marine fisheries potential within India's EEZ estimated at 58.6 lakh MT. The sector supports approximately 50 lakh fishers and contributed seafood exports valued at around ₹73,890 crore during FY 2025-26. The government's focus on high seas fishing recognizes that most current fishing activities are concentrated within 40-50 nautical miles of the coast, while deeper waters and areas beyond national jurisdiction offer substantial opportunities for high-value species.
The initiative aligns with the Union Budget 2025-26 announcement regarding an enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Indian EEZ and High Seas, with special focus on island territories such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, which together account for nearly 49% of India's EEZ area.