Visakhapatnam, Jun 5 (PTI) Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Friday said the Centre has sanctioned Rs 72 crore to modernise Kakinada Fishing Harbour and transform it into a smart, modern facility under the PMMSY.

Addressing a press conference after the National Workshop on Seafood Exports, the minister—also known as Lalan Singh—said his ministry was ready to set up a regional office of the National Fisheries Development Board in Kakinada, provided the state government made land available.

“There are two announcements. Kakinada Harbour is a very old one. We have sanctioned Rs 72.42 crore to modernise it into a smart harbour so that landing facilities are improved, and fish exports can be promoted,” the union minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, said.

Thanking Singh for the initiative, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu assured that the required land for the NFDB regional office would be allocated within 15 days.

Singh further said that owing to several initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past 11 years, domestic fish production had increased by 106 per cent, rising from 95.8 lakh tonnes to 197.7 lakh tonnes.

He said that until 2014, India’s marine exports were valued at Rs 30,213 crore, and after various government initiatives, they rose to Rs 62,408 crore in 2024–25.

Despite sharp tariff increases by the United States last year, marine exports touched Rs 73,000 crore in the last financial year, an increase of Rs 11,000 crore, he said.

Earlier, addressing the workshop, the union minister highlighted that the fisheries sector has witnessed significant growth, with production and exports more than doubling over the past decade to 168 lakh tonnes and over Rs 73,000 crore.

He noted that while inland fisheries account for a major share of production, their low export share presents a key opportunity.

He directed that a standardised SOP be developed to promote exports from inland states.

After modernisation, the Kakinada Fishing Harbour will provide berthing facilities for about 423 vessels, handle annual landings of around 74,448 tonnes, and generate employment for approximately 12,345 people, according to a press release.

Singh said the second phase of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is focused on export-oriented development and stressed the need to strengthen export infrastructure, it added. PTI GDK SSK

Fisheries infrastructure modernisation drives export-oriented growth with funding for Kakinada Fishing Harbour and stronger export facilities. Centre sanctioned funding for modernisation of Kakinada Fishing Harbour into a smart harbour under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, to improve landing facilities and promote fish exports. The upgrade is stated to support berthing for about 423 vessels, handle annual landings of around 74,448 tonnes, and generate substantial employment. The ministry also said it was ready to establish a regional office of the National Fisheries Development Board at Kakinada if land is provided by the state government.