Bhubaneswar, July 1: The State Cabinet led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday approved the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026-2036), with an outlay of Rs 2,295.45 crore over the period 2026-2036.
The mission, a flagship initiative of the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department aimed at unlocking the vast offshore fisheries potential of the State and accelerating Blue Economy-led growth, will be implemented in a phased manner through convergence of Central Government schemes, State Government support, beneficiary participation, institutional finance and Public-Private Partnership (PPP), under the administrative control of the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department.
The Mission is expected to generate an additional 2.0 lakh metric tonnes of marine fish production annually, create over 50,000 employment opportunities, substantially enhance the income of marine fishers and increase Odisha's marine exports to around Rs 5,000 crore annually by 2036. It will also promote private investment, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), entrepreneurship and adoption of advanced technologies across the fisheries sector.
The Mission seeks to promote sustainable deep-sea fishing, modernize marine fisheries infrastructure, enhance seafood exports, strengthen fisher livelihoods and establish Odisha as a leading Deep-Sea Fishing and Marine Export Hub in Eastern India.
Odisha has a coastline of about 575 km and a marine fisher population exceeding five lakhs, whose livelihoods depend on marine fisheries and allied activities.
The Mission envisages comprehensive interventions across the entire marine fisheries value chain, including 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 facilities, digital fisheries governance, vessel monitoring systems, marine conservation measures, capacity building of fishers and promotion of seafood exports.
A dedicated Blue Economy Hub (B-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 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 livelihood security for the State's coastal fishing communities.
