The Department of Fisheries has approved the proposal for developing a Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour at Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The project will cost ₹199.24 crore and will receive 100% Central Financial Assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The harbour is being developed in line with the Blue Port Initiative and is designed to improve fisheries infrastructure, safety, and digital management in the island region.
Project Features
The harbour will provide safe landing and berthing facilities for 430 fishing vessels. It is expected to handle an annual fish landing of 9,900 tonnes. The facility will include:
- IoT-enabled systems for better monitoring and operations.
- Energy-efficient infrastructure.
- Improved fish-handling capacity.
- Digital traceability for fisheries products.
- Safer and more efficient harbour operations.
Strategic Importance
The project is intended to strengthen sustainable fisheries management in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also expected to support livelihoods, raise stakeholder incomes, and generate employment across the fisheries value chain. The harbour will help reduce losses, improve post-harvest handling, and support environmentally friendly practices. It will also contribute to efforts against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Fisheries Potential of the Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a large marine resource base, with a 6 lakh sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone. The region has an estimated 60,000 MT of tuna and tuna-like species, including 24,000 MT of Yellowfin tuna and 2,000 MT of Skipjack tuna. To attract investment, the government has also promoted fisheries and aquaculture opportunities in the islands, including tuna fishing technologies, seaweed, and allied infrastructure.
PMMSY and Sector Growth
Under PMMSY, the islands have already received ₹5,573.02 lakh for fisheries development. This has supported hatcheries, ponds, cold chain, transport, fish kiosks, and fisher welfare measures. Across India, fisheries has seen strong growth, with fish production rising sharply over the past decade and seafood exports expanding to nearly 130 countries. The Mayabunder harbour is expected to strengthen export-oriented fisheries development and support the goal of ₹1 lakh crore seafood exports by 2030–31.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026