Sri Vijaya Puram, November 10: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been allocated ₹218 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as the Centre pushes to expand high-value marine fisheries, including tuna, seaweed and ornamental fish, across India’s island territories. The investment places the islands within a wider fisheries development strategy that also earmarks ₹175 crore for Lakshadweep, with a focus on deep-sea fishing, processing infrastructure and access to domestic and international markets.
The proposed expansion centres on converting the islands’ marine resources into higher-value economic activities while developing infrastructure and supply chains within the territories. Tuna fisheries have emerged as a key focus, alongside seaweed cultivation and ornamental fisheries, which the government has identified as additional areas for diversifying island-based livelihoods.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the two island territories together account for nearly 40 per cent of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), giving them access to extensive fishing grounds across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Their location along major tuna migration routes also provides opportunities to develop oceanic fisheries.
The Union Budget 2025-26 outlined a framework for sustainably accessing fisheries resources within India’s EEZ and the High Seas, with particular attention to Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The approach seeks to expand fishing activity in underutilised marine areas while placing scientific management and sustainability at the centre of resource development.
India has a coastline of approximately 11,099 km and an EEZ covering nearly 24 lakh square kilometres. The country has an estimated marine fisheries potential of 58.6 lakh metric tonnes within its EEZ, while the sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 50 lakh fishers.
Seafood exports reached approximately ₹73,890 crore in the financial year 2025-26, according to the government. Since 2015, the Centre has committed ₹39,272 crore through various fisheries schemes and programmes.
Tuna development forms a major component of the island strategy. Waters surrounding the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep contain stocks of Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye tuna, which the government plans to develop through modern fishing vessels, selective fishing techniques and improved post-harvest infrastructure.
The proposed value chain includes deep-sea vessels, mother vessels, hook-and-line and pole-and-line fishing methods, onboard preservation, cold storage, processing and canning facilities, along with export linkages.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a dedicated Tuna Cluster under PMMSY is intended to support fleet modernisation and infrastructure expansion. Plans include new fishing vessels, upgrades to existing fleets and additional cold storage capacity. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is also strengthening its presence in the islands to improve market access and facilitate direct seafood exports.
Lakshadweep has set a five-year target to double tuna production to 50,000 tonnes through the introduction of deep-sea and mother vessels, while continuing its traditional pole-and-line fishing practices.
Beyond capture fisheries, the Centre is pursuing seaweed cultivation as another potential source of income for island communities. The marine ecosystems of both territories offer conditions for cultivation, with applications in food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and bio-industrial products.
Lakshadweep has been designated a Seaweed Cluster, with plans for large-scale cultivation, seed banks, hatcheries and capacity-building initiatives to establish a structured production chain.
Ornamental fisheries represent another proposed area of expansion. Lakshadweep hosts more than 300 reef-associated ornamental fish species. The development plan envisages medium-scale rearing units, regulated collection practices and improved market access for sustainably sourced aquarium species.
The wider infrastructure programme includes fish landing centres, ice plants, cold-chain networks, onboard preservation systems, fish aggregating devices, boat-building yards and value-addition facilities. These investments aim to reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen local processing capacity and connect island fisheries with larger markets.
The government’s strategy seeks to integrate fishing, cultivation, processing and exports within the island economy. Its implementation will also require ecological safeguards to protect fragile marine habitats while enabling fishers and local enterprises to participate in the emerging value chains.
