Gandhinagar: Gujarat continues to consolidate its position as a major player in India’s fisheries sector, emerging as the second-largest marine fish-producing state in the country, with a production of 9.08 lakh metric tonnes in 2023–24. Riding on the momentum of the Blue Economy vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state is now targeting a total output of 10.36 lakh metric tonnes in 2024–25.
Backed by Long Coastline and Strategic Policies
With India’s longest coastline of 2,340.62 kilometers, Gujarat has consistently averaged over 8.56 lakh metric tonnes of fish production annually in the past four years. In FY 2023–24 (October–September), marine fish production stood at 7.04 lakh MT, while inland fish farming contributed 2.03 lakh MT, totaling 9.07 lakh MT.
The projected marine output for 2024–25 is 7.64 lakh MT, and inland production is expected to reach 2.72 lakh MT, pushing Gujarat’s fish production goal past 10 lakh MT for the first time.
₹50 Crore PMMSY Grant Approved for 2025–26
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Government of India has allocated a ₹50 crore central grant to Gujarat for FY 2025–26. Since 2020, projects worth ₹897.54 crore have already been approved for Gujarat under this scheme. The funds support value-chain improvements including modern aquaculture, processing infrastructure, marketing, and post-harvest facilities.
The scheme also focuses on social security for fisherfolk, promoting sustainability, and building traceability systems for export-quality seafood.
Modernization & Infrastructure Initiatives by the State Government
The Gujarat government has introduced several proactive measures to unlock the full potential of its expansive coastline, including:
- VAT reduction on diesel
- Subsidies on kerosene and petrol
- Land allocation for shrimp farming
- Road and electricity development in fishing villages
Modernization of fishing ports at Madhvad, Nava Bandar, Veraval-2, and Sutrapada
To boost productivity and sustainability, new assistance schemes include:
- Promotion of Biofloc and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
- Support for probiotics and medicines for shrimp farming
- Encouragement of cage culture (Bhambharapani)
- Establishment of cold storage, blast freezers, and modern boatyards
- Aid for net and boat replacement
Support for fish by-product processing, seaweed culture, and hatcheries
Gujarat’s Role in the National Blue Economy
Prime Minister Modi’s focus on the Blue Economy has been a cornerstone of Gujarat’s fisheries growth. The state was among the early adopters of integrated coastal development policies during Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister. These efforts have resulted in robust marine exports, improved fishermen livelihoods, and world-class infrastructure along Gujarat’s coast.
With support from both Centre and State, Gujarat is expected to play an increasingly critical role in India’s push towards marine sustainability, self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), and economic diversification through ocean-based sectors.
