Bhubaneswar, Jul 9: Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday launched the national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the high seas at Bhubaneswar, officials said.

The Vice President also unveiled the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document and distributed LoAs to ten Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FPPOs) and fishermen from across the country.

Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas at Bhubaneswar today.

On the occasion, he also launched the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document… pic.twitter.com/jN2CuL6vMe

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) July 9, 2026

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-President said the initiative marks a new chapter in India’s maritime journey, enabling Indian fishermen to sustainably harness the vast potential of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas. He emphasised that the programme reflects the collective resolve of the Union Government, State Governments, and fishing communities to usher in growth, sustainability, and prosperity in the fisheries sector.

Highlighting India’s marine wealth, Radhakrishnan noted that the country possesses over 11,000 km of coastline and an EEZ of nearly 24 lakh sq km, much of which remains untapped. Traditionally confined to near-shore fishing, Indian fishermen will now be empowered to venture into deep waters for sustainable harvesting of high-value species such as tuna.

The Vice-President underlined India’s rapid rise as the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing about 8 per cent to global output. He said the sector supports nearly three crore fishermen and fish farmers, with seafood exports crossing Rs73,000 crore last year. The new framework, he added, would further strengthen export potential and generate employment through Radhakrishnan harvesting, processing, cold chain, logistics, and packaging.
Also Read: Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission to Transform Fishermen's Lives, Boost Blue Economy: Dharmendra Pradhan

Radhakrishnan stressed that LoAs would prioritise fisheries cooperatives, FPPOs, and Indian fishermen, describing the initiative as a step towards empowering coastal communities. He emphasised that sustainable fishing is both an economic necessity and a moral responsibility, urging strict compliance with vessel tracking, international certification, and measures against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Calling upon youth to view fisheries as a modern profession driven by science, technology, and innovation, the Vice-President said collective efforts would help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel, and Odisha Fisheries Minister Gokulananda Mallik, along with senior officials and representatives of fishermen’s organisations were present on the occasion.