The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is organizing a review meeting on development of fisheries in West Bengal on September 21, 2026 in Kolkata. The meeting is co-chaired by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, and Shri Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of West Bengal. This marks the first apex-level fisheries review meeting in over a decade, aimed at developing a roadmap for the state's untapped fisheries potential.
The meeting will be attended by Shri Rajesh Mahata, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for ARD & Fisheries of West Bengal, along with officials from Department of Fisheries (GoI), West Bengal state fisheries department, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), ICAR institutes, NBFGR, CIFE, NABARD, NCDC, CAA, EIC, Indian Coast Guard, and MPEDA.
The primary objective is to review progress of various schemes and programs in West Bengal and deliberate on key focus areas for future development. The meeting will feature presentations by both central and state fisheries departments, with interactions focusing on production enhancement, aquaculture expansion, technology adoption, infrastructure development, institutional support, and investment promotion. The event will conclude with handing over of Administrative Approval for Integrated Reservoir Development in West Bengal.
West Bengal is the second largest fish producing state in India, achieving production of 25.43 lakh tons in 2025-26. The sector has received investments of Rs 617 crore under various schemes that have strengthened production technologies, post-harvest infrastructure, processing capabilities, and capacity building. These initiatives provide livelihood opportunities to over 30 lakh fisher folks and have developed a robust fisheries ecosystem supported by value chain and market access.
The Government of India has notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters in the state, including a dry fish cluster in Purba Mednipur. The Department of Fisheries is giving special emphasis to strengthening fisheries farmer producer organizations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives, while also focusing on digitization of the fisheries sector through various initiatives.
The review meeting is expected to accelerate growth through enhanced convergence between Central and State Governments and key stakeholder institutions. Deliberations will focus on identifying priority intervention areas, strengthening implementation of flagship fisheries schemes, promoting technology-led sustainable development, and enhancing investments across the fisheries value-chain. The outcomes aim to improve fishers' livelihoods, increase fish production and productivity, strengthen market linkages, develop ornamental fisheries, and enhance post-harvest infrastructure.