Bhubaneswar: The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2025-2036), a flagship initiative of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department aimed at transforming the state into a leading fishing and marine export hub in Eastern India.
The Mission seeks to unlock the vast offshore fisheries potential of the state and accelerate Blue Economy-led growth. It will promote sustainable deep-sea fishing, modernise marine fisheries infrastructure, enhance seafood exports, and strengthen fisher livelihoods.
Odisha has a coastline of about 575 km and a marine fisher population of more than five lakh, whose livelihoods depend on marine fisheries and allied activities.
At present, marine fishing operations are largely confined to near-shore waters, resulting in increasing pressure on coastal fishery resources. Scientific assessments have indicated significant untapped offshore and deep-sea fishery resources, including high-value species such as tuna, billfish, oceanic squid, and other pelagic resources.
The Mission envisages interventions across the entire marine fisheries value chain. These include induction of modern Deep Sea Fishing Vessels, upgradation of existing mechanized fishing vessels, deployment of mother vessels, modernization and development of fishing harbours and fish landing centres, establishment of seafood parks, integrated cold-chain infrastructure, seafood processing and value-addition hubs, digital fisheries governance, vessel monitoring systems, marine conservation measures, capacity building of fishers, and promotion of seafood exports.
A dedicated Blue Economy Hub will be established to function as the Mission’s knowledge, innovation, and coordination centre. The Mission will also strengthen scientific fisheries management through resource assessment, digital monitoring, traceability systems, artificial reefs, sea ranching, and ecosystem-based fisheries management while improving marine safety, disaster preparedness, and fisher welfare.
The Mission is expected to generate an additional 2.0 lakh metric tonnes of marine fish production annually and 50,000 employment opportunities. It aims to substantially enhance the income of marine fishers and increase Odisha’s marine exports to around Rs 25,000 crore annually by 2036. It will also promote private investment, Public-Private Partnerships, entrepreneurship, and adoption of advanced technologies across the fisheries sector.
The estimated investment for implementation of the Mission is Rs 2,295.46 crore during the period 2026-2036. It will be implemented in a phased manner with convergence of Central Government schemes, State Government support, beneficiary participation, institutional finance, and Public-Private Partnerships under the administrative control of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department.
The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission is aligned with Odisha Vision 2036, Viksit Bharat 2047, the National Blue Economy framework, and Sustainable Development Goal-14 (Life Below Water). The Mission is expected to transform Odisha’s marine fisheries sector into a modern, technology-driven, export-oriented, and environmentally sustainable industry while ensuring long-term prosperity and food security for the State’s coastal fishing communities.
