On April 28, 2025, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated fisheries projects worth Rs 255 crores at the Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 in Mumbai. He highlighted the vast potential of India’s 11,000-km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone, unveiling a range of initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These initiatives include the establishment of new infrastructure in seven coastal states and Union Territories.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the 5th Marine Fisheries Census, a significant initiative aimed at digitally mapping 1.2 million fisher households. This will be done using a new mobile application called VyAS-NAV, developed by ICAR-CMFRI. The app will allow supervisors to geo-verify villages, landing centers, and harbors, ensuring real-time data validation and enhancing policy planning for the fisheries sector.
The Union Minister also awarded the first-ever aqua insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) and presented tablets equipped with the VyAS-NAV app to field-level officers. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the central and state governments in promoting climate-resilient villages, deploying artificial reefs, and empowering women through seaweed farming and mariculture.
Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel praised the achievements under the Blue Revolution and PMMSY, noting that India has become the world’s second-largest fish producer. He underscored the necessity of sustainable fishing practices, innovation, and strengthening market linkages to drive exports and ensure long-term growth.
George Kurian echoed the need for strong collaboration between the central and state governments, emphasizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of the "blue chakra" as a symbol of oceanic wealth. He outlined future plans, which include expanded seaweed farming, the deployment of 100,000 safety transponders, and the establishment of 100 climate-resilient coastal villages.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, stressed the need to harness the underutilized tuna resources in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep while urging states to utilize PMMSY funding effectively. He also highlighted plans for developing smart harbors and placing a renewed focus on amending marine regulations to address modern challenges.
The event included extensive discussions on governance, mariculture, export promotion, and data traceability, offering a vital platform for knowledge sharing among fisheries ministers, officials, and stakeholders from across India.
The operations of the Marine Fisheries Census will take place from April to December 2025, with this digital-first approach aiming to reshape India’s marine fisheries framework, enhance the welfare of fishers, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive blue economy.
