Bhubaneswar: The Department of Fisheries under the Government of India is set to organize the National Launch of the Letter of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas on July 9, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhury, Secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development for the Government of Odisha, said that Vice President of India Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan will officially launch the initiative and unveil the Odisha Deep Sea Mission Document during the event.
A distinguished lineup of dignitaries will grace the occasion, including Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
They will be joined by Union Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister FARD and MSME, Shri Gokulananda Mallik, Member of Parliament for Bhubaneswar Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament for Kandhamal Shri Sukanta Panigrahi, and Khurda MLA Shri Prasanta Kumar Jagadev. The event is expected to draw around 1,000 fishers and fish farmers, including women representatives, alongside government officials.
During the program, the Vice President will distribute the newly introduced Letters of Authorisation to several fishing vessel owners and fisheries cooperative societies, including the National Cooperative Exports Limited. Among the recipient cooperatives 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. This authorization will permit eligible Indian-flagged vessels to fish in regulated high seas areas beyond India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Letter of Authorisation is a mandatory requirement under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025. Designed as a transparent, vessel-specific, and non-transferable framework, the authorization process is integrated into the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal. Operating entirely online with real-time tracking, it ensures low-cost, smooth compliance for fishers. Authorized vessels must strictly adhere to international conservation measures set by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, covering catch limits, gear rules, bycatch mitigation, and voyage reporting.
By moving the entire framework online, the initiative emphasizes digitization, traceability, and enhanced governance. It aims to empower Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and cooperatives by offering them direct access to high-value oceanic resources, thereby increasing income opportunities for fishing communities.
Simultaneously, the launch of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission document marks the rollout of a flagship Blue Economy strategy spanning from 2026 to 2036. This state-level mission focuses on turning Odisha into a premier marine export and deep-sea fishing hub. By investing heavily in modern infrastructure, value chains, and scientific management, the mission goals include boosting fish production and improving livelihoods. Together, these initiatives signal India’s shifting focus toward a well-regulated, sustainable, and legally compliant high-seas fishing sector that aligns with global environmental standards.