Hon’ble Vice President of India to Release “Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031” Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development

The upcoming release of 'Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031' Strategic Action Plan by the Hon'ble Vice President of India on August 31, 2026, at Agatti, Lakshadweep, marks a watershed moment in India's ornamental fisheries development journey. This initiative emerges from the broader context of India's Blue Economy vision, which gained significant momentum after the Government of India's 2016 Sagarmala Programme and the subsequent Draft Blue Economy Policy Framework. The ornamental fisheries sector, though relatively niche compared to food fish production, holds immense potential for high-value exports, employment generation, and sustainable livelihoods, particularly for coastal and island communities. Lakshadweep's strategic selection as the venue is no coincidence. With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 4 lakh square kilometers — constituting approximately 17% of India's total EEZ — and a lagoon area exceeding 4,200 square kilometers, Lakshadweep represents an untapped reservoir of marine biodiversity. The archipelago's notification as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster under the cluster-based approach for integrated value chain development exemplifies the government's shift from isolated interventions to holistic, region-specific strategies. This approach aligns with the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched in 2020 with an investment of ₹20,050 crore, which aims to enhance fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2024-25 and create 55 lakh employment opportunities. The Strategic Action Plan's focus on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for broodstock management, breeding, hatchery operations, quarantine, health management, traceability, and trade addresses critical gaps in the ornamental fisheries value chain. Currently, India's ornamental fish exports remain modest despite the country's rich biodiversity — over 2,500 species of marine ornamental fishes are found in Indian waters. The plan's emphasis on biosecurity, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance is crucial for accessing premium international markets, particularly the European Union and United States, which have stringent import regulations. Constitutionally, fisheries falls under Entry 21 of the State List (List II, Seventh Schedule), but the Union government exercises authority over maritime zones beyond territorial waters under Entry 57 of the Union List and Article 297 (territorial waters, continental shelf, EEZ). The Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and the EEZ Act, 1976, provide the legal framework for resource management in these areas. The recent Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025, further strengthen this framework. The cluster-based approach also resonates with the cooperative federalism model, as it requires active collaboration between the Department of Fisheries (Union), Lakshadweep Administration (Union Territory), and local stakeholders. Economically, the significance is profound. India's seafood exports reached ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26, with marine fisheries supporting approximately 50 lakh fishers' livelihoods. Ornamental fisheries, with higher per-unit value and lower volume, can significantly enhance export earnings per tonne. The focus on women fish farmers and fishers in the outreach programme highlights the gender-inclusive dimension of this development strategy. Socially, sustainable ornamental fisheries can reduce pressure on wild capture fisheries while providing alternative livelihoods in ecologically sensitive island ecosystems. Looking ahead, Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 could serve as a template for other island territories and coastal states. Its success will depend on effective implementation of SOPs, capacity building of stakeholders, establishment of certification mechanisms, and development of market linkages. The integration with Lakshadweep's tuna fisheries — particularly high-value Yellowfin and Skipjack tuna — and seaweed cultivation creates a diversified blue economy portfolio. As India seeks to harness its 5.31 million tonnes marine fisheries potential (currently largely concentrated within 40-50 nautical miles), initiatives like this demonstrate the strategic shift toward sustainable, science-based, and inclusive ocean resource management — a critical imperative for both national food security and international commitments under UN SDG 14 (Life Below Water).