Bhubaneswar, July 9: Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan arrived at Bhubaneswar Airport on Thursday on his one-day Odisha visit.

The Vice-President left for the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology following a rousing welcome accorded by the Odisha Government.

Here, the VP is scheduled to launch a Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document.

The Vice President will also distribute fishing authorisation certificates to fishermen at a programme organised by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying at the OUAT Agricultural Education Hall in Bhubaneswar.

The initiative is aimed at promoting the sustainable utilisation of marine fishery resources and strengthening the livelihoods of Odisha's fishing community. The Vice President will also distribute authorisation certificates to eligible fishermen, fishing vessel owners, fisheries cooperatives and the National Cooperative Exports Limited amid the program, enabling Indian fishing vessels to undertake deep-sea fishing operations.

At present, fishing activities are generally restricted to within 12 nautical miles (about 23 km) from the coastline. With the launch of the With the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, eligible fishermen will be able to fish within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles (around 370 km). Authorised fishermen will also be permitted to operate beyond the EEZ in international waters, in accordance with applicable regulations.

The mission is expected to enhance fishermen's incomes, create new employment opportunities, increase marine fish production and strengthen Odisha's blue economy. The state government will provide support through advanced fishing equipment, improved fisheries management, training and better market linkages to boost seafood exports.

Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Fisheries Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Odisha Fisheries and Animal Resources Development and MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik, MPs Aparajita Sarangi and Sukanta Panigrahi, and MLA Prashant Kumar Jagdev will also attend the event.

The Centre has been focusing on strengthening Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperative societies while promoting digitisation in the sector. The distribution of authorisation certificates is expected to improve regulatory compliance and expand deep-sea fishing opportunities for eligible Indian vessels.

The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) is one of the state government's flagship initiatives to position Odisha as a leading marine fisheries and seafood export hub. The mission seeks to unlock the state's untapped deep-sea fishery resources, including high-value species such as tuna, marlin, swordfish, squid and deep-sea prawns, which are largely found beyond the traditional fishing zone.

India has a coastline of about 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone spanning nearly 2.4 million sq km, with an estimated marine fishery potential of 5.86 million metric tonnes, supporting the livelihoods of around 5 million fishermen. During 2025–26, the country exported marine products worth nearly ₹73,890 crore.

Odisha, with a 575-km coastline, is home to nearly five lakh fishermen who depend on the Bay of Bengal for their livelihood. The state recorded marine fish production of around 2.4 lakh metric ton during the 2024–25 financial year. Officials believe the deep-sea fishing mission will significantly enhance marine fish production, improve fishermen's earnings and contribute to the state's long-term economic growth.