Strategic action plan to focus on scientific breeding, biosecurity, quality standards, traceability and global market access for ornamental fisheries

Key Highlights

• Vice President to release Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 strategic action plan in Agatti, Lakshadweep, on August 31.
• Plan will create a national framework for ornamental fisheries development, biosecurity, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Lakshadweep’s marine ornamental resources identified as a major opportunity for sustainable livelihoods and exports.
• Government to standardise practices covering breeding, hatcheries, quarantine, health management, transport, trade and aquarium operations.
• Lakshadweep has an EEZ of nearly 4 lakh sq. km and a lagoon area exceeding 4,200 sq. km.
• Island territory is also being developed as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster for cultivation, processing and value addition.

India prepares strategic push for ornamental fisheries

New Delhi: The Government of India is set to launch a major strategic framework for the country’s ornamental fisheries sector, with the Vice President scheduled to release the “Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031” Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development in Agatti, Lakshadweep, on August 31.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, is organising the outreach programme, which will bring together fish farmers, fishers, women beneficiaries, government officials and representatives from fisheries clusters and related ministries.

The strategic plan is expected to provide a common framework for developing India’s ornamental fisheries industry in a more organised, scientific and sustainable manner.

Focus on biosecurity, breeding and quality standards

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 will establish standard operating procedures across the ornamental fisheries value chain.

The proposed framework will cover broodstock management, breeding, hatchery operations, production systems, quarantine, fish health management, traceability, aquarium operations, handling, transportation and trade.

The move is aimed at improving consistency in production practices while strengthening biosecurity and quality assurance.

The government expects the framework to help build stakeholder capabilities, improve product quality, support certification and expand market access for Indian ornamental fisheries products.

Lakshadweep’s marine resources in focus

The programme places particular emphasis on Lakshadweep’s largely untapped marine-resource potential.

India has a coastline of approximately 11,099 km, an Exclusive Economic Zone of around 24 lakh sq. km and an estimated marine fisheries potential of 58.6 lakh tonnes.

Lakshadweep alone has an EEZ of nearly 4 lakh sq. km, representing around 17% of India’s total EEZ, along with more than 4,200 sq. km of lagoon area.

The government sees the island territory as having considerable potential for high-value fisheries, mariculture, ornamental fisheries, seaweed cultivation and wider blue-economy activities.

Ornamental fisheries seen as a livelihood and export opportunity

Lakshadweep’s marine ornamental fish resources could provide new avenues for sustainable fish rearing, exports and livelihood generation, while reducing pressure on natural marine ecosystems through regulated and scientific production.

The Mission’s emphasis on quarantine, health management and traceability could also help address important requirements for developing an internationally competitive ornamental fish trade.

A more organised supply chain could create opportunities across breeding, hatchery operations, aquarium businesses, transportation, retail and export.

Seaweed cluster adds another blue-economy opportunity

The Government has adopted a cluster-based approach to fisheries development, with Lakshadweep already notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster.

The cluster approach is intended to promote cultivation, processing, value addition and market linkages.

Together with ornamental fisheries and tuna resources, the initiatives could diversify the island’s fisheries economy beyond conventional fishing and create additional value-added activities.

Tuna remains central to Lakshadweep’s fisheries economy

Lakshadweep also has significant potential in high-value tuna fisheries, particularly Yellowfin Tuna and Skipjack Tuna.

The government identifies these species as the backbone of the island’s marine fisheries sector, with opportunities for sustainable harvesting, processing, value addition, exports and livelihood generation.

At the national level, India exported seafood worth approximately ₹73,890 crore during FY 2025-26, underlining the economic importance of expanding value-added fisheries and strengthening export-oriented infrastructure.

Impact on hospitality, food and tourism

The Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 initiative could have a distinctive impact on Lakshadweep’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem.

Ornamental fisheries can support the growth of aquarium attractions, marine education experiences and resort-based aquatic displays, provided they are developed in accordance with conservation and animal-health standards.

For resorts and hotels in island destinations, locally developed marine experiences can complement diving, snorkelling and other ocean-based activities and strengthen the overall visitor proposition.

The wider fisheries push could also benefit the culinary tourism and seafood sector. Better tuna handling, processing, traceability and value addition could help restaurants and resorts offer higher-quality locally sourced seafood while creating stronger links between fishers and hospitality businesses.

Lakshadweep’s seaweed cluster could provide another potential link to hospitality through seaweed-based food products, ingredients, wellness offerings and sustainable tourism experiences.

More broadly, the development of ornamental fisheries, tuna value chains and seaweed processing could diversify island livelihoods and create new businesses supporting marine tourism, seafood, hospitality and experiential travel.

Towards a globally competitive ornamental fisheries sector

With Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031, the government is seeking to move ornamental fisheries towards a more scientific, regulated, traceable and commercially organised model.

The combination of national standards, biosecurity, certification, technology and market access could strengthen India’s ability to participate in the global ornamental fish trade while supporting sustainable use of marine resources.

For Lakshadweep, the initiative adds another component to its emerging blue-economy strategy, alongside tuna fisheries, seaweed cultivation and mariculture, with potential implications for livelihoods, seafood, tourism and island-based hospitality.