India is advancing tuna, seaweed and ornamental fisheries in Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under PMMSY
India’s fisheries sector is evolving into a technology-driven and value-oriented pillar of the economy, with island territories now a strategic focus. India has a coastline of approximately 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 24 lakh sq km. Seafood exports were valued at around ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26. Since 2015, the Government has committed ₹39,272 crore to the sector through key schemes and programmes.
Under PMMSY, ₹218 crore has been allocated to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and ₹175 crore to Lakshadweep. Together the two island groups account for nearly 40 per cent of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Tuna is the centrepiece of the roadmap, with underutilised stocks of Yellowfin, Skipjack and Bigeye tuna in the surrounding waters. In Lakshadweep, a five-year plan seeks to double tuna production to 50,000 tonnes. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a dedicated Tuna Cluster under PMMSY is accelerating fleet modernisation and infrastructure development.
Lakshadweep has been notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster, while ornamental fisheries add another opportunity, with Lakshadweep hosting over 300 reef-associated ornamental species. Investments are being channelled into fish landing centres, ice plants, cold-chain networks and export facilitation systems to reduce post-harvest losses.
Source: Press Information Bureau
