India has made significant progress in modernizing its fisheries infrastructure. Department of Fisheries (DoF) has signed a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) agreement with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This partnership aims to enhance the development of Blue Ports across the country.
As part of the initiative, the DoF on September 18, 2025, held the first webinar under the programme, bringing together global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to share best practices on sustainable and technology-driven fishing port development.
Addressing the session titled “Foundations of a Blue Port: Generating Value in Fishing Ports”, Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi said that fishing ports must be seen as “strategic gateways” that drive economic growth, ensure ecological balance, and promote social inclusion. He highlighted the government’s focus on building ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive fisheries systems to strengthen national food and nutritional security.
Dr. Likhi also underlined the role of advanced technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms in improving service delivery and efficiency at fishing ports. He pointed to flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), which are pushing modernization across the sector.
Welcoming FAO’s support in piloting upgrades at Vanakbara in Diu and Jakhau in Gujarat, he said three Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours are being developed in Gujarat, Daman & Diu, and Puducherry under PMMSY with a total investment of Rs 369.8 crore. These harbours will integrate smart technologies such as IoT devices, satellite communication, and data analytics while adopting eco-friendly features like rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and waste management systems.
The webinar also featured expert presentations from FAO officials, including a case study on the Port of Vigo in Spain, which has successfully implemented the Blue Port framework. The discussions focused on sustainability, efficiency, and collaboration to address key challenges like climate resilience, traceability, and energy transition in port operations.
Officials from FAO headquarters, maritime boards, major port authorities, coastal states, and fisheries cooperatives also participated in the event. The Blue Ports initiative is expected to boost India’s post-harvest fisheries infrastructure, promote exports, strengthen livelihoods, and enhance the sector’s global competitiveness.
