Odisha govt drafting special blue economy plan for development of coastal region: CM

Bhubaneswar, Jul 9 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday said that his government is preparing a special blue economy plan for the state's coastal region, as economic activities associated with the ocean have become a new dimension of the state's prosperity. Facilities such as fish landing centres, wholesale markets, and aqua parks will be set up at Paradeep, Dhamra and Gopalpur ports, Chandipur and Astarang, the chief minister said. Addressing a programme here to launch the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission document, Majhi said the state is fully prepared to make a significant contribution to the growth of the country's Blue Economy. The launch of the historic Odisha Deep Sea Fisheries Mission, integrated with Odisha Vision-2036 and Viksit Bharat-2047, has shown a new path for the best utilisation of Odisha's 575 km long coastline and deep and high seas fisheries resources, he said. The chief minister said the state will deploy 150 new Deep Sea Fishing Vessels (DSFV) and upgrade 500 fishing boats during the next 10 years. The successful implementation of the mission will help establish Odisha as one of the major marine fishing hubs in the country and make it a leading state regarding the blue economy, he added. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has launched the national programme for issuance of Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the high seas, and the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission document. To mark this occasion, Letters of Authorisation for Indian-flagged vessels were given to eight fishers to undertake fishing in the high seas. Besides, two deep-sea fishing vessels were issued go-ahead certificates under Mukhya Mantri Krushi Udyog Yojana for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area, Majhi added. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who also attended the event, said that the launch of the LoA is a major step towards sustainably harnessing high-seas fisheries resources through a transparent and technology-driven framework. Emphasising that growth must be accompanied by sustainability, he noted that the initiative will promote responsible fishing, strengthen fisheries value chains, generate livelihood opportunities for youth and improve the incomes of fishing communities. The governor also appreciated the Department of Fisheries for achieving record seafood exports despite global trade challenges. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an MP from the state, said that the LoA framework and the Deep Sea Fishing Mission would help position Odisha as a key fisheries and seafood export hub in eastern India, while contributing to the vision of a vibrant Blue Economy. Referring to Odisha's rich maritime heritage and abundant fisheries resources, he noted that the state has emerged as an important contributor to India's seafood exports and possesses significant untapped potential, particularly in brackish water aquaculture and deep-sea fisheries. Harnessing these resources sustainably can enhance fish production, boost exports and create new livelihood opportunities for coastal communities, Pradhan said. Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted that the Union Budget 2025–26 announced the creation of an enabling framework for the sustainable harnessing of fisheries resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas, which has been fulfilled today. He stated that the LoA is a historic milestone for India's marine fisheries sector that will unlock the vast untapped potential of high-seas fisheries through a transparent and fully online system. The Union minister said that the government has invested more than Rs 39,000 crore in the fisheries sector through various flagship schemes, resulting in more than 100 per cent growth in fish production and record seafood exports of Rs 73,891 crore in 2025–26 despite global trade challenges, including the imposition of tariffs by the USA. PTI BBM NN