The Union Department of Fisheries has approved the Andaman & Nicobar Administration’s proposal to develop a smart and integrated fishing harbour at Mayabunder, with an investment of Rs 199.24 crore. The project will be fully funded under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and aligns with the government’s Blue Port Initiative.
The harbour will feature modern landing and berthing facilities for 430 fishing vessels, IoT-enabled systems, energy-efficient operations, and digital traceability. Sustainable fisheries management, enhanced fish-handling capacity, and improved operational safety are key components of the project, aimed at modernizing the fisheries sector.
Expected to handle an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes, the Mayabunder harbour will generate employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain, improve stakeholder incomes, and strengthen livelihoods. The project also aims to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while promoting environmentally friendly practices.
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The Andaman & Nicobar Islands boast vast marine resources, including 6 lakh sq. km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an estimated 60,000 MT of tuna and tuna-like species. The Department of Fisheries recently organized an investors meet to catalyze investment and infrastructure development in the islands’ fisheries and aquaculture sector.
India’s fisheries sector has seen robust growth, with production doubling 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, reaching Rs 62,408 crore, with more than 350 varieties exported to nearly 130 countries.
The Mayabunder Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour is a strategic step toward unlocking the fisheries potential of the islands. The project is expected to play a crucial role in India’s ambition to achieve one lakh crore in seafood exports by 2030–31, while boosting the economic and social development of coastal communities.
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