BHUBANESWAR: Vice-president CP Radhakrishnan will launch the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) national framework for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas and unveil the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026 -2036) here on Thursday, marking a significant step towards regulated and sustainable deep-sea fishing.Around 1,000 fish farmers and fishers, including women, are expected to attend the event.The vice-president will also distribute LoAs to fisheries cooperative societies, the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and fishing vessel owners, enabling eligible Indian-flagged vessels to undertake regulated fishing operations in the high seas.The beneficiaries include Shree Mahavir Machhimar Sahakari Mandali Ltd, Shri Martanda Prassanna Colaba Matsyodyog Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, South Goa Mechanised Boat Owners Coop & Marketing Society Ltd, Paradeep Marine Primary Fish Production & Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd, Thengapattanam Deep Sea Fish Producers Cooperative Society and Malpe Fishermen’s Primary Cooperative Society Ltd.The LoA, a mandatory provision under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025, provides a transparent and accountable mechanism for Indian vessels operating beyond national waters.Integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal, it is vessel-specific, non-transferable and designed to ensure traceable and monitored fishing activities, govt sources said.Vessels granted LoAs will be required to comply with conservation and management measures prescribed by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), including catch limits, gear regulations, bycatch mitigation measures, fish aggregating device management and voyage reporting requirements.The Centre expects the initiative to strengthen Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives by expanding access to high-value marine resources and improving income opportunities for fishers.The entire authorisation process has been designed as an online, transparent and time-bound system aimed at improving governance, traceability and service delivery in the fisheries sector.The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, a flagship Blue Economy initiative, seeks to unlock the state’s offshore fisheries potential and position Odisha as a major deep-sea fishing and marine export hub.The mission focuses on modern fishing infrastructure, scientific fisheries management, value-chain development and stronger market linkages to enhance production, generate employment and boost fisher incomes.India has a coastline of about 11,099 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 24 lakh sq km, with marine fisheries potential estimated at 58.6 lakh metric tonnes.While most fishing currently takes place within 40-50 nautical miles of the coast, policymakers see significant opportunities in deeper waters and high-seas fisheries, particularly for high-value tuna and tuna-like species.The new framework is aimed at enabling responsible exploitation of these resources while adhering to national laws, international obligations and sustainability standards.
