Bhubaneswar, July 9: Vice President CP Radhakrishnan today launched the Letter of Authorisation for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the high seas. The Vice President also launched the Odisha Deep Sea Mission Document.

The national launch program was graced by the presence of Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Odisha Governor; Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister; Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education; Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; and Gokulananda Mallik, Odisha Minister for Fisheries & ARD.

The event also witnessed participation of approximately 1,000 fish farmers and fishers including women fish farmers and fishers in person, along with officials from various states and UTs, line Ministries and Departments.

Vice president, C. P. Radhakrishnan noted that the Union Budget 2025–26 had recognised the importance of harnessing fisheries resources in India’s EEZ and High Seas and stated that the launch of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) framework marks a new chapter in the country’s fisheries sector.

He highlighted that the fisher-centric framework will open access to high-value marine resources, strengthen livelihoods and create new opportunities across the seafood value chain.

Underscoring the importance of quality standards, traceability and international certifications, he noted that these measures would help Indian seafood access premium global markets and further boost exports.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen Fisheries Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and encouraged the youth to view fisheries as a modern, science-driven sector offering significant employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Stressing that growth must be aligned with sustainability, he called for responsible management of marine resources to ensure long-term benefits for future generations and continued growth of the Blue Economy.

During the event, the  Vice President distributed LoA to the fisheries cooperative societies including National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and fishing vessel owners, enabling eligible Indian-flagged fishing vessels to undertake regulated fishing operations in the high seas.

Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati highlighted India's vast Exclusive Economic Zone and immense marine wealth, noting that the country's fishing activities have traditionally remained concentrated in coastal waters.

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. He also appreciated the Department of Fisheries for achieving record seafood exports despite global trade challenges.

Stressing the role of Fisheries Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), he called for empowering fishers with suitable vessels, equipment and technologies to tap high-value resources such as tuna and tuna-like species.

Mohan Charan Majhi noted that Odisha is steadily building a robust fisheries ecosystem through investments in modern fisheries infrastructure, including wholesale fish markets and Aquapark, to support value addition and seafood exports.

Emphasising the State’s commitment to harnessing the untapped potential of the EEZ and oceanic fisheries resources, he stated that the digitally enabled LoA framework, featuring an end-to-end online process and real-time tracking, will promote transparency and ease of doing business. He further underscored the importance of developing deep-sea fishing, tuna fisheries, processing and export-oriented fisheries activities to enhance incomes, generate employment and position Odisha as a leading hub for marine fisheries and seafood exports in the country.

Dharmendra Pradhan shed light on the immense potential of India's Blue Economy and appreciated the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to strengthen the fisheries sector.

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.

He emphasised that harnessing these resources in a sustainable manner can enhance fish production, boost exports and create new livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

He further stated that the LoA framework and the Odisha 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.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, 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 operationalised through the launch of the Access Pass and the national rollout of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA).

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.

He further highlighted that the Government has invested more than ₹39,000 crore in the fisheries sector through various flagship schemes, resulting in more than 100% growth in fish production and record seafood exports of ₹73,891 crore in 2025–26 despite global trade challenges.