NewKerala.com

Rs 199 Crore Smart Fishing Harbour Approved for Andaman's Mayabunder

The Union Department of Fisheries has approved a Rs 199.24 crore project to develop a smart and integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The harbour, funded entirely by the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, will feature IoT-enabled systems and safe facilities for 430 fishing vessels. It aims to generate employment, enhance fisher incomes, and combat illegal fishing through sustainable practices. This project is a strategic move to tap into the region's vast marine resources and support India's goal of achieving Rs 1 lakh crore in seafood exports by 2030-31.

Key Points: Smart Fishing Harbour Approved for Andaman's Mayabunder

  • Rs 199.24 crore investment
  • Smart harbour with IoT & safe berthing
  • To generate employment & boost incomes
  • Part of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
  • Aims to combat illegal fishing
2 min read

Centre approves Rs 199 crore plan to set up smart fishing harbour at Andaman

Centre approves Rs 199 crore for a smart, integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder in Andaman to boost fisheries and exports.

"unlock the fisheries potential of the Islands and strengthen India's pathway towards achieving one lakh crore seafood exports by 2030-31 - Official Statement"

New Delhi, Jan 27

Union Department of Fisheries has approved the proposal of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for the development of a smart and integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder with an investment of Rs 199.24 crore, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The smart and integrated fishing harbour, developed in line with the Blue Port Initiative, will incorporate safe landing and berthing facilities, supported by the latest technology and IoT-enabled systems and will be set up with 100 per cent Central financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

The harbour integrates sustainable fisheries management, enhanced fish-handling capacity, improved operational safety, energy-efficient systems, and digital traceability.

It is expected to generate employment, enhance stakeholder incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and contribute to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through environmentally friendly approaches, thereby supporting India's progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the statement said.

The development of the smart and integrated fishing harbour will create safe landing and berthing facilities for 430 fishing vessels and cater to an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes. The project is expected to generate employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain and significantly benefit the fisheries sector.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands possess a vast marine resource base with 6 lakh sq. km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an estimated 60,000 MT of tuna and tuna‑like species, including 24,000 MT of Yellowfin and 2,000 MT of Skipjack tuna.

To catalyse investment and value chain development, the Department of Fisheries organised an Investors Meet on "Investment Opportunities in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of Andaman & Nicobar Islands" on 14 November 2024 at Swaraj Dweep.

Under PMMSY, the Department has also notified a tuna cluster in the Islands to strengthen infrastructure, training, investor partnerships, and global competitiveness.

India's fisheries sector has experienced robust growth, supported by public investments of over Rs 39,000 crore in production, infrastructure, technology, fisher welfare and post-harvest value chains.

Fish production has more than doubled over the past decade, from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to around 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Seafood exports have also doubled in value, reaching Rs 62,408 crore, with over 350 product varieties exported to nearly 130 countries.

The approval of the Mayabunder Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour is a strategic intervention to unlock the fisheries potential of the Islands and strengthen India's pathway towards achieving one lakh crore seafood exports by 2030-31, the statement added.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Rs 199 crore is a significant investment. While the project sounds good on paper, I hope the execution is transparent and the benefits actually reach the fishermen. We've seen too many projects where the money gets stuck in bureaucracy.
A
Arjun K
Strategic move! The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a key asset for India's maritime security and economy. Developing infrastructure there helps secure our EEZ and boosts exports. The tuna cluster notification is a smart step. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
The environmental angle is crucial. Combating illegal fishing and using energy-efficient systems shows a responsible approach. Hope they involve marine biologists to ensure the ecosystem isn't harmed in the pursuit of growth.
V
Vikram M
Doubling fish production in a decade is no small feat. This harbour will add to that momentum. Generating employment in the islands is vital. Let's hope the "smart" systems are maintained properly and don't become defunct in a few years.
K
Kavya N
Good news for seafood lovers and the economy! 🐟 More efficient handling and digital traceability mean better quality fish reaching our markets. The export target of 1 lakh crore by 2030 seems ambitious but achievable with such projects.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50