The Union Ministry of Fisheries has given the thumbs-up to a Rs 199.24 crore smart and integrated fishing harbor in Mayabunder, Andaman and Nicobar. Announced Tuesday, the project enjoys full central assistance via PMMSY, targeting transformative upgrades for local fishers.
Echoing the Blue Ports vision, this harbor will deploy advanced IoT systems for secure berthing and landings. Key features include sustainable resource management, boosted fish processing volumes, heightened safety protocols, energy-saving tech, and full digital oversight to fight IUU activities.
It will provide refuge for 430 fishing vessels and handle 9,900 MT of fish yearly, spurring jobs, higher earnings, and robust livelihoods while advancing SDGs through green methods.
Andaman’s expansive 6 lakh sq km EEZ harbors 60,000 MT of premium tuna species, with yellowfin at 24,000 MT and skipjack at 2,000 MT leading the pack. This wealth amplifies the project’s strategic importance.
India’s fisheries boom continues unabated—production leaping from 9.6 MT in 2013-14 to 19.775 MT in 2024-25. Seafood exports doubled in value to Rs 62,408 crore, encompassing 350+ items to 130 nations. This initiative will streamline the value chain, ensuring long-term prosperity and ecological balance in remote island fisheries.