Odisha launches Deep Sea Fishing and Shrimp Missions to boost fish production, create jobs, strengthen the Blue Economy and achieve ₹25,000 crore in marine exports by 2036
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha is set to strengthen its position as a leading centre for fisheries and aquaculture with the launch of two flagship initiatives, the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission and Odisha Shrimp Mission. A State-Level Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on these missions was held in Bhubaneswar on Thursday under the aegis of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department, Government of Odisha.
Inaugurating the workshop, Minister for F&ARD and MSME, Gokulananda Mallick, said the successful implementation of these missions will transform Odisha into the fish production and export hub of Eastern India. He highlighted that the initiatives are aligned with the State’s broader vision of developing a robust Blue Economy ecosystem.
The Minister noted that the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission will unlock the vast potential of the Bay of Bengal by enabling scientific and sustainable exploitation of deep-sea fishery resources. The mission is expected to generate an additional 2 lakh metric tonnes of marine fish production annually and create over 50,000 employment opportunities. It will also significantly enhance fishermen’s incomes, which are projected to increase two to three times, while contributing to Odisha’s long-term goal of achieving ₹25,000 crore in marine export earnings by 2036.
Focusing on aquaculture expansion, the Minister said the Odisha Shrimp Mission will serve as a key pillar of the State’s Blue Economy roadmap. By leveraging brackish water resources and promoting scientific shrimp farming, including super-intensive aquaculture systems, the mission aims to substantially increase shrimp production. It also envisages the development of critical infrastructure such as hatcheries, feed mills and allied facilities, positioning Odisha among the leading shrimp-producing and exporting states in the country.
Secretary, F&ARD Department, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, outlined the vision, objectives and implementation framework of both missions. The workshop brought together senior officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, representatives of the National Fisheries Development Board, domain experts, industry stakeholders and fisheries practitioners from across the country. Participants highlighted that the two missions would play a transformative role in enhancing livelihoods, ensuring nutritional security, generating large-scale employment and boosting export competitiveness.
The consultation was conducted across five thematic sessions, enabling in-depth deliberations among policymakers, experts and stakeholders. The discussions yielded valuable suggestions to strengthen the implementation strategy and ensure effective on-ground execution of both flagship missions.
