New Delhi : The Centre is stepping up its Blue Economy ambitions by developing Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into key destinations for high-value marine fisheries, with a focus on tuna production, seaweed farming and seafood exports.

Together, the two island territories account for nearly 40 per cent of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), offering significant opportunities to expand marine resource utilisation through modern fishing vessels, improved cold-chain facilities and stronger international market connections.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the government has allocated Rs 393 crore for fisheries development across the two territories. Of this, Rs 218 crore has been earmarked for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while Lakshadweep will receive Rs 175 crore.

The initiative aims to move beyond the traditional model of supplying raw seafood and establish integrated marine fisheries hubs focused on processing, value addition and exports.

Tuna fisheries are expected to play a central role in this transformation. Lakshadweep has introduced a five-year development roadmap to double its tuna output to 50,000 tonnes. The plan includes introducing mother vessels while retaining traditional pole-and-line fishing practices.

In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the government plans to develop a dedicated tuna cluster with expanded cold-storage infrastructure and improved export facilities. Direct seafood export channels will also be strengthened with support from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

The broader strategy also extends to seaweed cultivation in Lakshadweep, where dedicated hatcheries and seed banks are proposed to support large-scale farming. Regulated ornamental reef fisheries are another area being explored.

However, the government has stressed that economic expansion will go hand in hand with environmental protection. Sustainable fishing practices and strict ecological safeguards will remain essential to preserving the islands’ fragile coral reefs, lagoons and marine biodiversity.

With investments in infrastructure, technology and export connectivity, the Blue Economy initiative seeks to position India’s island territories as emerging centres of sustainable, high-value marine production.