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This funding is aimed at developing fisheries and enhancing infrastructure for tuna fisheries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) has approved proposals from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at a total cost of Rs 58.91 crore, with a central share of Rs 31.48 crore. This funding aims to develop fisheries and enhance infrastructure for tuna fisheries in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The major infrastructure activities approved under PMMSY include:
(i) acquisition of 7 deep-sea fishing vessels,
(ii) upgrading 10 existing fishing vessels to meet export standards, and
(iii) establishing 29 cold storage and ice plants.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has reported that the islands possess rich tuna biodiversity, including both oceanic and neritic species such as Yellowfin tuna, Skipjack tuna, and Bigeye tuna. The total estimated potential yield for oceanic and neritic tuna in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 64,500 metric tonnes, but current harvest levels are significantly below this potential, indicating considerable room for growth in the sector.
On October 29, 2024, the DoF, GoI, announced the establishment of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under PMMSY. To showcase investment opportunities in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, the DoF and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration organized an Investors’ Meet on November 14, 2024, at Swaraj Dweep.