India to host national workshop to promote deep-sea fishing

The Indian government is organizing a national workshop in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, to promote deep-sea fishing and encourage fishers to utilize high-value fisheries resources. The event aims to strengthen the nation’s deep-sea fishing ecosystem by facilitating interaction between policymakers, technical experts, financial institutions, industry stakeholders, and fishers.

The workshop seeks to address on-ground challenges and gather suggestions to improve access to technology, skills, finance, and markets. This initiative is part of a broader effort to expand fishing activities beyond the current concentration within 40–50 nautical miles of the coast into deeper waters, which offer significant opportunities for harvesting high-value species like tuna.

India is a leading global producer in fisheries and aquaculture, with seafood exports valued at approximately Rs 73,890 crore during FY 2025-26. The marine fisheries potential within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is estimated at 58.6 lakh MT, supporting the livelihoods of roughly 50 lakh fishers.