New Delhi: The first-ever investors’ meet on investment opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture sector was successfully organized at Bangaram Island, Lakshadweep, drawing participation from investors across the country and envisaging investments of around Rs 519 crore.
The meet was organized by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD), in collaboration with the UT Administration of Lakshadweep.
Union MoFAHD minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in his address, highlighted key policy reforms undertaken by the government to unlock the potential of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He stated that the introduction of authorized access passes and high seas fishing guidelines now enables Indian fishermen and fishing vessels to legally operate in the EEZ and high seas, facilitating exports of high-value species such as tuna. He further noted that fishery resources harvested from India’s EEZ are now recognized as being of Indian origin, strengthening India’s position in global seafood markets.
During the interactive sessions, investors shared their experiences and flagged critical requirements such as improved transportation and connectivity to the mainland, establishment of cold storage and ice plants, and development of chilled fish handling centres for efficient post-harvest management.
The need for value addition facilities for sashimi-grade tuna, fish oil refining capacities, skilled manpower, and ornamental fish brood banks was also emphasized for sustainable utilization of Lakshadweep’s EEZ.
Discussions highlighted Lakshadweep’s vast untapped fisheries potential and the opportunity to significantly enhance production through sustainable fishing practices such as pole-and-line and hand-line methods, which are globally recognized for their quality and eco-friendly nature. Participants stressed the importance of branding, certification, traceability, and modern value chain development to enable Lakshadweep’s fish products to access premium international markets.
The meet also brought focus to emerging investment avenues including seaweed farming, ornamental fisheries, mariculture, cage culture, and other value-added seafood enterprises. Emphasis was placed on strengthening infrastructure, modernizing fishing vessels with sustainability considerations, empowering cooperatives, and reinforcing single-window clearance mechanisms to ensure ease of doing business.
The meet, attended by 22 key investors and over 200 participants in hybrid mode, marked a significant milestone in advancing Lakshadweep’s Blue Economy by creating an enabling, sustainable, and investor-friendly ecosystem for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.