High Seas Fisheries – VP Radhakrishnan to Launch LoA Framework in Bhubaneswar
High Seas Fisheries – India’s regulated fishing framework for the high seas will receive a major push on July 9, when Vice President CP Radhakrishnan launches the Letter of Authorisation system in Bhubaneswar
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to formally launch the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for the sustainable use of fisheries resources in international waters at a national event in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. The programme is being organised by the Department of Fisheries and will also feature the release of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission document.
National Programme to Focus on Regulated Deep-Sea Fishing
The LoA launch is intended to create a formal system for Indian fishing vessels operating beyond the country’s coastal waters. Under the government’s 2025 guidelines for sustainable harvesting of fisheries in the high seas, an LoA is compulsory for Indian-flagged vessels that wish to carry out fishing or related activities in those areas.
The authorisation will be issued for a specific vessel and cannot be transferred to another operator. Officials said the system has been designed to ensure that fishing activity in the high seas remains regulated, traceable and subject to monitoring.
Authorisations to Be Distributed to Cooperatives and Vessel Owners
During the event, the Vice President will hand over LoAs to selected fisheries cooperative societies, the National Cooperative Exports Limited and owners of eligible fishing vessels. The move is expected to help organised fishing groups take part in high-seas operations under a regulated framework.
Among the cooperative bodies set to receive authorisations are Shree Mahavir Machhimar Sahakari Mandali Ltd, Shri Martanda Prassanna Colaba Matsyodyog Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, South Goa Mechanized Boat Owners Coop. and Marketing Society Ltd, Paradeep Marine Primary Fish Production and Marketing Co-op. Society Ltd, Thengapattanam Deep Sea Fish Producers Cooperative Society and Malpe Fishermen’s Primary Co-Operative Society Ltd.
Digital System Linked With Vessel Registration Portal
The Department of Fisheries said the LoA process will operate through a digital platform to improve transparency and speed up approvals. The authorisation mechanism has been integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal, allowing authorities to maintain records of vessels and monitor approved operations.
The online process is expected to make applications more time-bound while improving service delivery and accountability in the fisheries sector. It will also support better tracking of fishing activity, which is important for sustainable resource management in distant waters.
Fishers and Women Producers Expected to Attend
The Bhubaneswar programme is expected to bring together nearly 1,000 fish farmers and fishers, including women involved in fisheries-related work. Government officials, ministers and other invited representatives are also likely to attend the event.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and fisheries cooperatives by expanding their access to deep-sea and high-seas opportunities. By enabling participation in regulated fishing operations, the framework is expected to improve access to higher-value marine resources and support additional income avenues for fishing communities.
Odisha Mission Sets Long-Term Marine Economy Goals
The event will also mark the launch of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission for 2026-2036. The state government’s Blue Economy initiative seeks to develop Odisha’s offshore and deep-sea fishing potential over the next decade.
The mission outlines a broader plan to position the state as an important centre for deep-sea fishing and marine exports. It is expected to support infrastructure development, improve organised fishing capacity and encourage value addition in the marine sector while keeping sustainability at the centre of future growth.