In a major boost to the fishing sector, the Department of Fisheries under India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has greenlit a ambitious project to develop a smart and integrated fishing harbor in Mayabunder, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Valued at an estimated Rs 199.24 crore, the initiative falls under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and will receive 100% central funding.
The harbor, aligned with the Blue Ports initiative, promises cutting-edge infrastructure. It will feature secure landing and berthing facilities backed by the latest technology and IoT-enabled systems. This development aims to revolutionize sustainable fisheries management, ramp up fish handling capacity, enhance operational safety, introduce energy-efficient systems, and ensure digital traceability.
Local fishermen stand to gain immensely, with safe docking for 430 vessels and capacity to handle 9,900 metric tons of fish landings annually. The project is poised to generate employment, boost stakeholder incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through eco-friendly practices. This aligns with India’s pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago boasts a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning 6 lakh square kilometers, rich in marine resources. It holds an estimated 60,000 metric tons of tuna and tuna-like species, including 24,000 MT of yellowfin tuna and 2,000 MT of skipjack tuna. These resources underscore the region’s untapped potential.
Over the past decade, India’s fish production has more than doubled, surging from 9.6 million tonnes in 2013-14 to nearly 19.775 million tonnes projected for 2024-25. Seafood exports have similarly skyrocketed in value to Rs 62,408 crore, with over 350 product varieties shipped to about 130 countries. This harbor will further fortify the fisheries value chain, driving economic growth and sustainability in one of India’s key maritime frontiers.