Letter of Authorisation (LoA) and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission unveiled to expand sustainable deep-sea fisheries, empower cooperatives and boost marine exports

Key Highlights

• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan launched the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) framework for sustainable high-seas fishing and the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) in Bhubaneswar.
• The initiative aims to enable regulated fishing beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through a transparent digital authorisation system.
• Fisheries Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) have been placed at the centre of the new framework to ensure inclusive sectoral growth.
• The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission seeks to position the state as a leading marine fisheries and seafood export hub.
• India recorded ₹73,891 crore in seafood exports during FY 2025–26, while Odisha contributed seafood exports worth ₹5,428.67 crore.

India Rolls Out High Seas Fisheries Framework to Unlock New Opportunities for Seafood Trade

Bhubaneswar, July 9, 2026: India has taken a significant step towards expanding its Blue Economy with the national rollout of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) framework for sustainable high-seas fishing and the launch of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036).

The initiatives, launched by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in Bhubaneswar, are designed to enable Indian-flagged fishing vessels to undertake regulated and sustainable fishing operations beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while strengthening seafood exports, fisher livelihoods and marine resource management.

The launch event was attended by senior leaders, including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, senior government officials and nearly 1,000 fishers and fish farmers from across the country.

Digital Authorisation to Expand High-Seas Fishing

The newly launched LoA framework introduces a fully digital, transparent and traceable authorisation process for Indian-flagged fishing vessels operating in high-seas waters.

The vessel-specific authorisation is integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal, enabling:

• Online application and approval.
• Real-time application tracking.
• Better monitoring and traceability.
• Compliance with international fisheries conservation standards.
• Responsible and sustainable harvesting of marine resources.

During the event, the Vice President distributed LoAs to fisheries cooperatives, the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and fishing vessel owners, allowing them to commence authorised high-seas fishing operations.

Focus on Cooperatives and Seafood Exports

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President highlighted that the new framework would improve access to high-value marine resources, strengthen fisheries value chains and create new livelihood opportunities.

He also emphasised the importance of:

• Fisheries Cooperatives.
• Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs).
• Quality certification.
• Traceability.
• Sustainable fisheries management.
• Youth participation in the Blue Economy.

Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh noted that the Government has invested over ₹39,000 crore in the fisheries sector through flagship programmes, contributing to record seafood exports of ₹73,891 crore during FY 2025–26 despite global trade challenges. He also highlighted recent Union Budget measures, including duty-free fish catch by Indian vessels operating in the EEZ and High Seas and export recognition for foreign port landings.

Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission to Drive Marine Growth

The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) aims to unlock the state’s offshore fisheries potential through investments in:

• Modern fishing infrastructure.
• Scientific fisheries management.
• Seafood processing.
• Market linkages.
• Export-oriented value chains.
• Employment generation and fisher income enhancement.

Odisha already ranks among India’s leading fisheries states, producing 12.70 lakh metric tonnes of fish during 2025–26 while exporting 1,00,897 metric tonnes of seafood worth ₹5,428.67 crore. The state has also received more than ₹1,301 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) since 2020 for fisheries infrastructure, cold chains, hatcheries and fish markets.

Hospitality & Tourism Impact

The launch of the LoA framework and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission is expected to strengthen India’s seafood ecosystem, creating new opportunities for the hospitality, culinary and coastal tourism sectors.

Greater availability of sustainably harvested premium species, including tuna and other high-value marine fish, can enhance menus at luxury hotels, seafood restaurants, cruise operators and fine-dining establishments while improving supply chain reliability for the hospitality industry.

For Odisha, increased investment in deep-sea fisheries, seafood processing, cold-chain infrastructure and export-oriented value chains is likely to support coastal tourism destinations through improved seafood experiences, local culinary festivals and marine-based tourism offerings. The initiatives also reinforce India’s Blue Economy strategy by promoting sustainable fisheries, increasing seafood exports and creating long-term livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.