Vice President to unveil Letter of Authorisation and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, paving the way for sustainable deep-sea fisheries, marine exports and coastal tourism

Key Highlights

• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will launch the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for sustainable high-seas fishing on July 9, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) will also be unveiled to strengthen deep-sea fisheries and marine exports.
• The LoA will enable eligible Indian-flagged fishing vessels to undertake regulated fishing beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
• The initiative will strengthen Fisheries Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives.
• The entire authorisation process will be digital, transparent and integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal.
• The mission aims to boost fish production, employment, seafood exports and sustainable marine resource management.

India Strengthens Blue Economy with New High Seas Fisheries Framework and Odisha Deep Sea Mission

New Delhi, July 8, 2026: In a landmark initiative to expand India’s Blue Economy, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, will launch the country’s Letter of Authorisation (LoA) framework for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas along with the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) on July 9 in Bhubaneswar.

The national launch will be led by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in the presence of senior Union and Odisha government leaders, including Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, and other dignitaries.

The event will also witness participation from nearly 1,000 fishers, fish farmers, women entrepreneurs and fisheries stakeholders from across the country.

New Authorisation System for Sustainable High-Seas Fishing

The newly introduced Letter of Authorisation (LoA) is a mandatory approval under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025.

The vessel-specific authorisation will enable Indian fishing vessels to undertake regulated fishing beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while complying with international conservation and fisheries management standards.

Key features of the new system include:

• Fully digital application and approval process.
• Integration with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal.
• Real-time application tracking.
• Transparent and time-bound approvals.
• Mandatory compliance with Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) regulations.
• Stronger monitoring, traceability and responsible fishing practices.

The Vice President will also distribute LoAs to several fisheries cooperative societies and vessel owners, enabling them to undertake authorised high-seas fishing operations.

Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission to Drive Marine Growth

Alongside the LoA launch, the Government will unveil the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036), a long-term strategy aimed at positioning Odisha as one of India’s leading deep-sea fishing and seafood export hubs.

The mission focuses on:

• Modern fishing infrastructure.
• Deep-sea fishing vessel development.
• Scientific fisheries management.
• Cold chain and value chain expansion.
• Market access and export promotion.
• Employment generation and higher fisher incomes.

The initiative aligns with India’s broader Blue Economy vision by promoting sustainable utilisation of marine resources while strengthening coastal livelihoods.

Strengthening Seafood Exports

India currently has:

• A coastline of approximately 11,099 kilometres.
• An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering around 24 lakh sq. km.
• Marine fisheries potential estimated at 58.6 lakh metric tonnes.
• Around 50 lakh fishers dependent on marine fisheries.
• Seafood exports valued at approximately ₹73,890 crore during FY 2025–26.

With most fishing activity currently concentrated within 40–50 nautical miles of the coastline, the new framework seeks to unlock opportunities in deeper waters, particularly for high-value species such as tuna.

Hospitality & Tourism Impact

The new fisheries framework is expected to have significant implications for India’s hospitality, seafood and coastal tourism industries. Improved access to sustainably harvested deep-sea fish can strengthen supply chains for hotels, luxury resorts, seafood restaurants and cruise operators, particularly in coastal destinations.

Higher production of premium seafood varieties such as tuna can enhance India’s culinary tourism offerings while supporting fine-dining establishments, export-oriented seafood businesses and hospitality brands focused on regional cuisine.

The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission also has the potential to stimulate investment in coastal infrastructure, seafood processing, fishing harbours and marine tourism experiences, creating opportunities for destination development along Odisha’s coastline. In the long term, stronger marine exports, sustainable fisheries management and improved fisher livelihoods will contribute to the growth of India’s Blue Economy while reinforcing the country’s reputation as a leading seafood and coastal tourism destination.