The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying held a national workshop on 17 September 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, to strengthen deep-sea fishing and engage with holders of access passes and letters of authorization. The event brought together fishers, government officials, financial institutions and research bodies to discuss how India can expand into high-value marine resources and boost seafood exports.
What the workshop covered
The workshop focused on four main areas: modern fishing technology, financing options, skill development, and connecting fishers to export markets. Participants discussed the entire deep-sea fishing chain, from sustainable harvesting of oceanic resources to vessel modernization, advanced fishing methods, capacity building, and systems to track fish from catch to sale.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced that India’s fish production reached 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, with seafood exports hitting a record ₹73,890 crore. He noted that the government has reduced the fee for obtaining a Letter of Authorisation for High Seas Fishing from ₹25,000 to ₹5,000 for cooperative societies, making it cheaper for fisher groups to participate in deep-sea operations.
Five technical sessions examined themes including deep-sea fishing opportunities in India’s exclusive economic zone and high seas, modernization of fishing vessels with global best practices, specialized training for deep-sea workers, financing mechanisms, and systems for processing, quality assurance and export compliance. Speakers included government experts, research institutions, financial bodies and international representatives, including the Indian Ambassador to Iceland who shared that country’s practices in automated onboard processing and sustainable management.
Fishers participating in the workshop highlighted that access passes have allowed them to fish in deeper waters and target high-value species like tuna. They also identified gaps: they need better training in quality handling and value addition, more cold storage facilities at ports, modernized vessels, stronger communication systems and greater financial support for deep-sea operations.
What this means for you
If you are a fisher or part of a fishing cooperative, the reduced fee for high seas authorisation makes it financially easier to venture into deeper waters and catch premium species. The workshop identified training, improved access to credit and stronger cooperative institutions as priorities, suggesting the government will push to make these resources available. As a citizen, increased deep-sea fishing could mean more seafood exports and stronger fishing livelihoods, contributing to India’s economic growth and the broader Blue Economy vision.