Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday launched the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s marine fisheries sector and promoting the blue economy. During the programme, he distributed authorisation letters to fishermen selected under the initiative.

The launch event, held at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar, was attended by Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, among other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Radhakrishnan praised Odisha’s growing contribution to India’s fisheries sector and said the state has emerged as an important player in fish production.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha’s 575-km-long coastline offers immense potential for the sustainable development of marine fisheries. He announced that over the next 10 years, the state plans to deploy 150 deep-sea fishing vessels (DSFVs) and modernise 500 existing fishing boats to enhance deep-sea fishing capacity and improve the livelihoods of fishermen.

He said the successful implementation of the mission would establish Odisha as a major marine fisheries hub in the country while accelerating the growth of the state’s Blue Economy. According to the Chief Minister, the initiative will create new employment opportunities, improve fish production, and strengthen the coastal economy.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh noted that despite Odisha having a longer coastline than Andhra Pradesh, the state still trails in marine fish production. He described this as a challenge and expressed confidence that the Deep Sea Fishing Mission would help unlock Odisha’s untapped fisheries potential and significantly boost production in the coming years.

The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission is expected to promote sustainable marine fishing, strengthen infrastructure, modernise the fishing fleet, and improve the income and welfare of the state’s fishing community.