**Executive Summary**
This document announces the Department of Fisheries' approval of ₹199.24 crore for the "Development of Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder" in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with 100% Central Financial Assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The initiative, aligning with the Blue Port Initiative, aims to develop sustainable fisheries infrastructure, generate employment, and boost the fisheries sector. The announcement was made on 27 January 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview:**
* The Department of Fisheries approved the development of a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
* The estimated cost is ₹199.24 crore, fully funded by Central Financial Assistance under PMMSY.
* The project is aligned with the Blue Port Initiative.
* **Harbour Features:**
* Incorporates safe landing and berthing facilities.
* Utilizes the latest technology and IoT-enabled systems.
* Integrates sustainable fisheries management practices.
* Aims for enhanced fish-handling capacity and improved operational safety.
* Includes energy-efficient systems and digital traceability.
* **Expected Outcomes:**
* Generation of employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain.
* Enhancement of stakeholder incomes.
* Strengthening of livelihoods.
* Contribution to combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
* Support of India's progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
* Creation of safe landing and berthing facilities for 430 fishing vessels.
* Catering to an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes.
* **Context and Background:**
* Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a vast marine resource base, including an estimated 60,000 MT of tuna and tuna-like species.
* The Department of Fisheries organized an Investors Meet on 14 November 2024 at Swaraj Dweep to catalyze investment in the sector.
* A Tuna Cluster has been notified in the Islands under PMMSY.
* India's fisheries sector has experienced robust growth, supported by public investments.
* PMMSY has invested ₹5,573.02 lakh in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to strengthen fisheries infrastructure and livelihood support systems.
* PMMSY interventions have strengthened the value chain from harvest to market.
**Impact Analysis**
**Fishermen/Fishing Vessel Operators**
*Impact:* The new harbor will provide safer and more efficient landing and berthing facilities, thereby enhancing their operational capabilities and safety.
*Action Required:* Utilize the new facilities and adhere to the new management practices to maximize benefits.
**Fisheries Sector Stakeholders:**
*Impact:* Enhanced fish-handling capacity, improved operational safety, and digital traceability leading to an increase in income and employment opportunities.
*Action Required:* Adapt to new technologies and practices to improve efficiency and sustainability.
**Investors Specializing in Tuna Fishing:**
*Impact:* Better infrastructure and facilities to develop tuna fishing technologies and build investor partnerships.
*Action Required:* Participate in training initiatives, establish investor partnerships and capitalize on the strengthened infrastructure for global competitiveness.
**Andaman & Nicobar Administration:**
*Impact:* The approval of the project supports infrastructure development for the region, creating local employment and driving sector-based economy growth.
*Action Required:* Ensure smooth implementation of the project and adherence to guidelines for effective resource allocation.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme under which the Mayabunder fishing harbor project is being funded.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying: The department that approved the proposal for the fishing harbor.
Smart & Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder: The fishing harbor project approved for development.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: The location of the fishing harbor and significant beneficiary of PMMSY.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Department of Fisheries approves ₹199.24 crore
Smart & Integrated Fishing Harbour at
Mayabunder, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Paving the way for the growth of fisheries infrastructure in the
Islands
प्रव तथ: 27 JAN 2026 3:59PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of
India, has approved the proposal of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for the “Development of
Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder” at an estimated cost of ₹199.24 crore with
100% Central Financial Assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour, developed in line with the Blue Port Initiative, will incorporate
safe landing and berthing facilities, supported by latest technology and IoT-enabled systems. The harbour
integrates sustainable fisheries management, enhanced fish-handling capacity, improved operational
safety, energy-efficient systems, and digital traceability. It is expected to generate employment, enhance
stakeholder incomes, strengthen livelihoods, and contribute to combating Illegal, Unreported and
Unregulated (IUU) fishing through environmentally friendly approaches, thereby supporting India’s
progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Development of the Smart and
Integrated Fishing Harbour will create safe landing and berthing facilities for 430 fishing vessels and cater
to an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes. The project is expected to generate employment opportunities
across the fisheries value chain and significantly benefit the fisheries sector.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands possess a vast marine resource base with 6 Lakh sq. km of Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) and an estimated 60,000 MT of tuna and tuna-like species, including 24,000 MT of
Yellowfin and 2,000 MT of Skipjack tuna. To catalyse investment and value chain development, the
Department of Fisheries organized an Investors Meet on “Investment Opportunities in Fisheries and
Aquaculture Sector of Andaman & Nicobar Islands” on 14 November 2024 at Swaraj Dweep, under the
leadership of Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and
Panchayati Raj. Investors specializing in tuna fishing technologies, seaweed, and allied infrastructure
participated. Under PMMSY, the Department has also notified a Tuna Cluster in the Islands to strengthen
infrastructure, training, investor partnerships, and global competitiveness.
India’s fisheries sector has experienced robust growth, supported by public investments of over ₹39,000
crore in production, infrastructure, technology, fisher welfare and post-harvest value chains. Fish
production has more than doubled over the past decade from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013–14 to around 197.75
lakh tonnes in 2024–25. Seafood exports have also doubled in value, reaching ₹62,408 crore, with over
350 product varieties exported to nearly 130 countries.The approval of the Mayabunder Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour is a strategic intervention to
unlock the fisheries potential of the Islands and strengthen India’s pathway towards achieving One Lakh
crore seafood exports by 2030–31.
Background - PMMSY Interventions in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have
witnessed substantial strengthening of fisheries infrastructure and livelihood support systems, with a total
investment of ₹5,573.02 lakh. These investments have enabled the creation of a comprehensive fisheries
ecosystem across production, post-harvest management, value addition, transportation, and fisher welfare.
Support under PMMSY has enabled large-scale development across aquaculture, hatcheries, open-sea
cage farming, ornamental fisheries, value-add enterprises, cold-chain logistics, fish transport, and
community support systems. Major outcomes include establishment of 5 freshwater finfish hatcheries, 7
backyard ornamental rearing units, 23.2 ha of new brackishwater ponds, 17.9 ha of freshwater grow-out
ponds, and multiple units for fish feed production, insulated vehicles, refrigerated transport, fish kiosks,
and bio-toilets for mechanised vessels. The scheme also facilitated livelihood and nutritional support to
1,000 traditional fisher families, deployment of 280 Sagar Mitras with IT-enabled service delivery, and
modernisation/expansion of cold chain through new and upgraded 10–20 ton facilities.
PMMSY interventions have strengthened the value chain from harvest to market through ice plants, cold
storages, insulated vehicles, e-rickshaws with ice boxes, and fish value-add units, while improving safety
and traceability with 300 communication/tracking devices for fishing vessels. By enabling sustainable
expansion in both inland and marine fisheries, PMMSY has laid the foundation for improved incomes,
employment generation, greater resilience of coastal communities, and readiness for enhanced export-
oriented development across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
***
JP
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