Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan initiated the national program for issuing Letters of Authorization (LoAs) to promote sustainable fishing in the high seas. He distributed LoAs for deep-sea fishing to ten Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FPPOs) and fishermen nationwide, alongside unveiling the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document.
During the event, the Vice President highlighted the significance of the new framework, allowing Indian fishermen to explore deep waters for harvesting high-value species like tuna. He emphasized that this initiative signifies a new phase in India’s maritime journey by tapping into the vast potential of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and high seas.
India, with over 11,000 kilometers of coastline and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 24 lakh square kilometers, possesses abundant marine resources that are largely underutilized. The Vice President underscored India’s position as the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing about eight percent to global fish production and supporting the livelihoods of nearly three crore fishermen and fish farmers.
The Vice President stressed the importance of the High Seas initiative in enhancing India’s export capabilities, creating employment opportunities in various sectors like harvesting, processing, and export services. He also highlighted the program’s focus on empowering fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organizations, and Indian fishermen through the issuance of Letters of Authorization.
The Vice President emphasized the collective efforts of the central and state governments, along with fishing communities, in driving growth, sustainability, and prosperity in the fisheries sector. He reiterated the moral obligation of sustainable fishing practices, calling for the integration of economic progress with marine resource conservation through digital authorization systems and strict compliance measures.
Encouraging youth to consider fisheries as a modern profession driven by technology and innovation, the Vice President urged institutions to provide continuous support to fishing communities for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan, among others.
