The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) on 29.10.2024 has notified a Tuna Cluster in Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The DoF, GoI, jointly with the Andaman & Nicobar islands Administration organized an Investors’ Meet on 14.11.2024 at Swaraj Dweep to showcase the investment opportunities in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, informed that, in order to tap the untapped potential in the islands, they have prepared an action plan to promote direct seafood export from the island territory in consultation with the stakeholders, addressing the existing gaps in the value chain. MPEDA has opened a Desk Office in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to facilitate fisheries trade from the Islands. The MPEDA has also identified a cluster of boats in the islands for conducting onboard tuna handling training to fishers.

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has informed that the islands are rich in tuna biodiversity, with oceanic as well as neritic species including Yellowfin tuna, Skipjack tuna, and Bigeye tuna.  The total estimated potential yield of Oceanic tuna and Neritic tuna in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 64,500 metric tonnes. The current harvest is far below the potential, showing a significant untapped potential for growth in the sector.

The DoF, MoFAH&D, GoI has approved the proposals of Andaman & Nicobar Administration under PMMSY at a total cost of Rs.58.91 crore with central share of Rs.31.48 crore for development of fisheries including strengthening of infrastructure for tuna fisheries in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The major fisheries infrastructure activities approved under PMMSY include: (i) acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels (7 unit), (ii) Up gradation of existing fishing vessels for export competency (10 units), (iii) Cold storage and Ice Plants (29 units).  

 

This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and

Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha

on 11^th December 2024.

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