The Coastal States Meet 2025 will take place on April 28 at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai and will be hosted by the Department of Fisheries, which is part of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, often known as Lalan Singh, will preside over the event, which will be a major step in bolstering India’s maritime sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Union Minister will unveil and lay the groundwork for fisheries development projects totalling Rs 255.30 crore that will benefit seven coastal states and union territories, including Maharashtra.
A major highlight of the event will be the national launch of Marine Fisheries Census Operations and the pioneering Aqua Insurance scheme, aimed at providing financial protection to aquafarmers. Additionally, the Minister will introduce the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) project to enhance marine conservation and release the Standard Operating Procedure for the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) to improve safety at sea.
The gathering will bring together dignitaries and officials from coastal states such as Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Puducherry, along with senior representatives from the Department of Fisheries, ICAR institutes, and the Bay of Bengal Programme. The event will also recognize outstanding fisheries cooperatives, startups, and climate-resilient coastal villages. Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) will receive Aqua Insurance certificates and Kisan Credit Cards.
An exhibition showcasing innovations and sustainable practices in fisheries and aquaculture will run alongside the event. Technical sessions will delve into key areas such as marine governance, sea safety, mariculture protocols, value chain enhancements, export promotion, and digital traceability in marine capture fisheries.
With a coastline of over 7,500 kilometers and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.02 million sq km, India’s marine fisheries sector has an estimated potential of 5.31 million tonnes. Coastal states and UTs, including Maharashtra, account for nearly 72% of India’s total fish production and 76% of its seafood exports. Hosting this crucial meet in Mumbai—India’s financial and maritime hub—underscores the city’s central role in shaping the future of the country’s blue economy.
Source: DD News
