Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will anchor India's strategy to expand tuna, seaweed and ornamental fisheries, backed by increased investment and infrastructure development, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said in an official statement on Tuesday, November 10.

Source: IANS, Nov 10, 2026 - Islands anchor India's plan to expand tuna, seaweed and ornamental fisheries

Rs 39,272 croreCentral investment committed to the fisheries sector since 2015
58.6 lakh MTEstimated marine fisheries potential within India's exclusive economic zone
Rs 73,890 croreValue of India's seafood exports in FY26
Nearly 40%Share of India's EEZ accounted for by the two island territories

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been allocated an investment of Rs 218 crore, while Lakshadweep has been earmarked Rs 175 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to unlocking the fisheries potential of these strategically important maritime regions, the statement said. Substantial investments have also been envisaged for both territories under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Source: Nation Press, Nov 10, 2026 - Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar to lead India's tuna, seaweed fisheries push

With an estimated marine fisheries potential of 58.6 lakh metric tonnes within its exclusive economic zone, the sector sustains the livelihoods of nearly 50 lakh fishers and contributes to food security, nutrition, employment and export earnings, the ministry said. India ranks among the world's leading fisheries and aquaculture producers, with seafood exports valued at around Rs 73,890 crore during FY26.

Why the islands matter

The two island groups extend India's presence across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, with access to rich oceanic fishing grounds and major tuna migration routes. Lakshadweep's lagoon systems, coral reefs and surrounding deep-sea waters offer favourable conditions for tuna fisheries, seaweed cultivation and reef-based livelihoods, the statement noted.

The island focus was also reflected in the Union Budget 2025-26, which outlined an enabling framework for the sustainable harnessing of fisheries resources from the exclusive economic zone and the high seas, with special emphasis on Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The ministry said the sector is evolving from a production-focused activity into a technology-driven, value-oriented pillar of the economy, with sustainability and scientific management at the centre of future expansion.