The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will organize the “Coastal States Meet 2025” on April 28 at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. The event will be chaired by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, who also heads the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
During the meet, Union Minister Singh will unveil and lay the foundation for fisheries development projects worth Rs. 255.30 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These projects cover seven coastal states and union territories and aim to strengthen the fisheries infrastructure and promote sustainable practices.
A major highlight of the event will be the formal launch of Marine Fisheries Census Operations and Aqua Insurance—a first-of-its-kind initiative offering financial protection to aquafarmers. The Minister will also introduce the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) project and release the Standard Operating Procedure for the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS), aiming to enhance marine conservation and safety at sea.
Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian will also attend, along with dignitaries from several coastal states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Puducherry. The ‘meet’ will also see participation from senior officials of the Department of Fisheries, ICAR institutes, and the Bay of Bengal Programme (BoBP).
Outstanding cooperatives, fisheries FPOs, start-ups, and climate-resilient coastal villages will be honoured during the event. Beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) will receive Aqua Insurance certificates and Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs).
The event will feature technical sessions on key areas including marine governance, sea safety, mariculture SOPs, value chain enhancements, export promotion, and traceability in marine capture fisheries. An exhibition will also be held to showcase innovations, technologies, and best practices in fisheries and aquaculture.
Background
India’s fisheries sector plays a vital role in rural livelihoods and national economic growth. With a coastline spanning over 7,500 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million sq. km, India’s marine fisheries sector holds an estimated potential of 5.31 million tonnes. Coastal states and UTs, encompassing around 3,477 fishing villages, contribute nearly 72% of India’s total fish production and 76% of seafood exports.
