A landmark approval from the Fisheries Department promises to reshape marine economies in Andaman and Nicobar. The Rs 199.24 crore smart fishing harbor at Mayabunder, fully backed by PMMSY central funds, was cleared on Tuesday, heralding a new era of tech-savvy fisheries.
Under the Blue Ports framework, the facility will boast IoT-enhanced landing zones, safe berths, sustainable oversight, scaled-up handling, safety innovations, efficient power use, and traceable supply chains to eliminate IUU fishing.
Direct benefits include docking for 430 ships and 9,900 MT annual landings, alongside employment surges, income growth, and fortified community resilience— all contributing to SDG milestones.
The region’s 600,000 sq km EEZ is a treasure trove, stocking 60,000 MT tuna variants like 24,000 MT yellowfin and 2,000 MT skipjack, ripe for sustainable harvest.
India’s sector metrics dazzle: output doubled from 9.6 million tonnes (2013-14) to 19.775 million (2024-25), with exports valuing Rs 62,408 crore across 350 products to 130 countries. This harbor cements Andaman’s role in national fisheries ascendancy, blending innovation with conservation.