Vice President CP Radhakrishnan is set to unveil the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for sustainable fisheries management in the high seas during an event in Bhubaneshwar on July 9. The Department of Fisheries will host the national launch of the LoA for sustainable fishing practices in the high seas. Additionally, VP Radhakrishnan will introduce the Odisha Deep Sea Mission Document at the event, which will be graced by several ministers and distinguished individuals.
Approximately 1,000 fish farmers and fishers, including women, will be present at the event, along with government officials. VP Radhakrishnan will distribute LoAs to fisheries cooperative societies like National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and fishing vessel owners. This will allow eligible Indian-flagged fishing vessels to engage in regulated fishing activities in the high seas.
The LoA is a mandatory requirement outlined in the Guidelines for Sustainable Fisheries Management in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025. It is designed to ensure transparent and accountable operations for Indian-flagged vessels involved in fishing activities in the high seas. The LoA is vessel-specific, non-transferable, and integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal to ensure organized, traceable, and monitored operations.
The initiative aims to empower Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives by enabling their participation in sustainable deep-sea and high-seas fisheries. This will enhance their access to valuable resources and create more income opportunities for fishers. Emphasizing digitization, the entire LoA process will be conducted online, ensuring transparency, timeliness, and efficiency in service delivery, thereby enhancing governance in the fisheries sector.
The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) is a key Blue Economy project of the state government. It aims to unlock the offshore and deep-sea fisheries potential of Odisha and establish the state as a prominent deep-sea fishing and marine export center.
