Centre launches 17 new fisheries cluster

Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Thursday launched 17 new fisheries clusters under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to boost and upscale the sector.

With this, the total number of fisheries clusters in India has reached 34.

Marking National Fish Farmers’ Day-2025 at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Bhubaneswar, the minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stone of 70 projects with an outlay of Rs 105 crore, covering 11 states.

Singh credited fish farmers with India becoming the second-largest fish producer in the world. Inland fisheries now contribute nearly 75 per cent of the total production with the sector ensuring livelihoods for over 3 crore fishers and fish farmers. A historic investment of Rs 38,572 crore has been made in the sector under the NDA government.

On the occasion graced by Ministers of State SPS Baghel and George Kurian, Secretary, Fisheries, Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted major initiatives, including Aquapark in Sambalpur, scampi hatcheries and disaster preparedness in 18 cyclone-prone villages.

He stressed Odisha’s key role in meeting India’s 195 lakh tonne fish production target and the government’s focus on deep-sea fishing, harbour modernisation and capacity building.