The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is organising a National Launch of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas on July 9 2026 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, will launch the Letter of Authorisation for the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas. Hon’ble Vice President will also launch Odisha Deep Sea Mission Document during the event.
The National launch program will be graced by presence of Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha; Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha; Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Education, along with Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Shri Gokulananda Mallik, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Fisheries & ARD and MSME, Government of Odisha; Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bhubaneswar; Shri Sukanta Panigrahi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Kandhamal; and Shri Prasanta Kumar Jagadev, Hon’ble MLA, Khurda. The event will also witness the participation of approximately 1,000 fish farmers and fishers including women fish farmers and fishers in person, along with officials from the Government of Odisha, line Ministries and Departments.
Department of Fisheries, Government of India has given special thrust to strengthening fisheries farmer producer organizations (FFPO) and fisheries cooperatives while also focusing on digitization of the fisheries sector through various initiatives.
The Hon’ble Vice President will distribute LoA to the fisheries cooperative societies including National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and fishing vessel owners, enabling eligible Indian-flagged fishing vessels to undertake regulated fishing operations in the high seas. The fisheries cooperative societies to be awarded include Shree Mahavir Machhimar Sahakari Mandali Ltd, Shri Martanda Prassanna Colaba Matsyodyog Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, South Goa Mechanized Boat Owners Coop. & Marketing Society Ltd, Paradeep Marine Primary Fish Production & Marketing Co-op. Society Ltd, Thengapattanam Deep Sea Fish Producers Cooperative Society and Malpe Fishermen’s Primary Co-Operative Society Ltd would receive the LoA.
The Letter of Authorisation (LoA) is a mandatory provision under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025. Designed as a transparent and accountable framework for Indian-flagged vessels undertaking fishing or fishing-related activities in the high seas, the LoA is vessel-specific, non-transferable and integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal, ensuring orderly, traceable and monitored operations. Issued and renewed at minimal cost, with no procedural constraints and real-time application tracking, the LoA facilitates ease of compliance for fishers and vessel operators. Vessels issued with an LoA are required to comply with conservation and management measures prescribed by the relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), including catch limits, gear regulations, bycatch mitigation measures, Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) management, voyage reporting and other requirements for responsible and sustainable fishing.
The LoA initiative will strengthen Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives by facilitating their participation in sustainable deep-sea and high-seas fisheries, enhancing access to high-value resources and creating greater income opportunities for fishers. It also places a focus on digitization, with the entire LoA process being online, transparent, and time-bound, thereby improving service delivery, transparency, traceability, and governance in the fisheries sector.
The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) is a flagship Blue Economy initiative of the Government of Odisha aimed at unlocking the State’s offshore and deep-sea fisheries potential and establishing Odisha as a leading deep-sea fishing and marine export hub. Through investments in modern fishing infrastructure, value chains, scientific fisheries management and market linkages, the Mission seeks to enhance fish production, generate employment, boost fisher incomes and drive sustainable growth of the marine fisheries sector.
The launch Letter of Authorisation (LoA) and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document represent the beginning of a regulated, transparent and sustainable system for authorised fishing by Indian-flagged vessels in areas beyond India’s EEZ. This will empower Indian Flagged fishing vessels toward sustainable and responsible high-seas fisheries. It symbolises India’s commitment to responsible utilisation of oceanic fisheries resources, strengthening of fisher livelihoods, enhancement of seafood exports, compliance with global sustainability standards and advancement of the national vision of a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy.
Background
India is endowed with a vast and diverse marine resource base, supported by a coastline of approximately 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 24 lakh sq. km. The marine fisheries potential within India’s EEZ is estimated at 58.6 lakh MT, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 50 lakh fishers and contributing significantly to food security, nutrition, employment, income generation and export revenues. India is presently among the leading fisheries and aquaculture producing countries globally and exported seafood valued at around ₹73,890 crore during FY 2025-26.
Most fishing activities are concentrated within 40–50 nautical miles of the coast, while deeper waters and areas beyond national jurisdiction offer substantial opportunities for harvesting high-value species, particularly tuna and tuna-like resources. recognising the strategic importance of sustainable marine fisheries, the Government of India, has notified enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Indian EEZ and the High Seas including Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025.
Recognising the strategic importance of sustainable marine fisheries, the Government of India, in the Union Budget 2025-26, announced its intent to bring in an enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Indian EEZ and the High Seas, with special focus on island territories such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, which together account for nearly 49% of India’s EEZ area. This announcement reflected the Government’s commitment to unlock the untapped potential of the marine fishery sector while ensuring sustainability, equity, national maritime interests and long-term livelihood security of fishing communities.
In pursuance of this vision, the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025 were notified on December 9, 2025. The Guidelines constitute a landmark policy initiative to enable authorised, regulated and responsible fishing by Indian-flagged fishing vessels in the High Seas, beyond India’s EEZ. This framework marks an important step in India’s transition towards participation in high-value oceanic fisheries in areas beyond national jurisdiction, while remaining fully aligned with national laws, international obligations and conservation requirements.
