The Government of India has unveiled a major initiative to strengthen fisheries cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) through the national launch of the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) framework for sustainable high-seas fishing.
Launching the initiative in Bhubaneswar, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan stressed that cooperatives and FFPOs will play a central role in expanding access to high-value marine resources, improving seafood exports and generating employment while ensuring sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.
As part of the launch, the Vice President distributed LoAs to several fisheries cooperative societies, including the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), enabling eligible Indian-flagged vessels to undertake regulated high-seas fishing.
Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said fisheries cooperatives and FFPOs have been accorded priority under the new framework to ensure their inclusive participation in the emerging high-seas fisheries ecosystem.
He noted that the government has invested over Rs 39,000 crore in the fisheries sector, helping fish production more than double and seafood exports reach a record Rs 73,891 crore in 2025-26.
The fully digital, transparent LoA system is expected to improve governance, traceability and market access while enhancing incomes of fishing communities and strengthening India’s Blue Economy.
