A tuna cluster in Andaman & Nicobar aims to tap 64,500 MT potential, boost exports, and strengthen fisheries infrastructure.
In a significant development, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has notified a Tuna cluster in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This initiative, announced on October 29, 2024, aims to harness the untapped potential of the region, estimated at 64,500 metric tonnes of oceanic and neritic tuna species like Yellowfin, Skipjack, and Bigeye Tuna.
To drive investments, the DoF, in collaboration with the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, organised an Investors’ Meet on November 14, 2024, at Swaraj Dweep. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has prepared an action plan to enhance direct seafood exports, addressing gaps in the value chain. A desk office has also been opened in the islands to facilitate fisheries trade, alongside onboard tuna handling training for fishermen.
Under PMMSY, the government has approved projects worth ₹58.91 crore, including a central share of ₹31.48 crore for infrastructure development. Key initiatives include:
- Acquisition of 7 deep-sea fishing vessels.
- Upgradation of 10 existing vessels for export standards.
- Establishment of 29 cold storage and ice plants.
This comprehensive strategy will strengthen fisheries and boost India’s tuna export capacity, currently far below its potential. Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh presented these updates in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on December 11, 2024.
