Vice President CP Radhakrishnan is set to launch two key fisheries initiatives in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Thursday: the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas and the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document. Nearly 1,000 fish farmers and fishers, including women, are expected to attend the event, according to the Fisheries Department.
Letter of Authorisation: A Digital Framework for High Seas Fishing
The Letter of Authorisation is a mandatory provision under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025. It establishes a transparent and accountable framework for Indian-flagged vessels engaged in fishing or related activities in international waters. The entire LoA process is digitised, online, and time-bound, aimed at improving service delivery, transparency, traceability, and governance in the fisheries sector.
The Fisheries Department stated that the initiative will strengthen Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and fisheries cooperatives by enabling their participation in sustainable deep-sea and high-seas fisheries. This will enhance access to high-value resources and create greater income opportunities for fishers.
Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission: A Blue Economy Flagship
The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026-2036) is a flagship Blue Economy initiative of the Odisha Government. Its objective is to unlock the state’s offshore and deep-sea fisheries potential and establish Odisha as a leading deep-sea fishing and marine export hub. The mission aligns with India’s broader marine fisheries strategy.
India boasts a coastline of approximately 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 24 lakh sq km. The marine fisheries potential within India’s EEZ is estimated at 58.6 lakh metric tonnes (MT), supporting the livelihoods of around 50 lakh fishers and contributing significantly to food security, nutrition, employment, income generation, and export revenues.
India’s Global Fisheries Position
India is currently among the world’s leading fisheries and aquaculture-producing countries. During fiscal year 2025-26, the country exported seafood valued at approximately Rs 73,890 crore. The new initiatives are expected to further boost this sector by promoting sustainable practices and expanding access to high-value resources in the high seas.
