Gujarat ranks 2nd in India in marine fish production

Gujarat has the longest coastline of the country at 2,340.62 km, which can make a significant contribution to the development of the ‘blue economy’ in the country. Gujarat ranks second in the country in marine fish production. In the last 4 years, the total fish production figure in Gujarat has been about 8.56 lakh metric tonnes on an annual average.

In 2023-24 (October-September), marine fish production in the state was 7,04,828 metric tonnes and inland fish production was 2,03,073 metric tonnes. Thus, the total fish production of the state in 2023-24 was about 9,07,901 metric tonnes.

In 2024-25 (October-September), the state is expected to produce 7,64,343 metric tonnes of marine fish, while inland fish production is expected to be 2,72,430 metric tonnes. Thus, the total fish production of the state in 2024-25 is expected to be about 10,36,773 metric tonnes.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, projects worth a total of ₹897.54 crore have been approved by the Government of India for various components in Gujarat from 2020-21 to 2024-25. A grant of ₹50 crore has been allocated to Gujarat under PMMSY for the year 2025-26.

To take advantage of the full potential of Gujarat’s coastal areas, the state government is reducing the VAT rate on diesel, providing subsidy on the purchase of kerosene and petrol, providing land for shrimp farming, providing road and electricity facilities, increasing the infrastructure facilities of ports for small fishermen, etc. Along with this, four new fishing ports are being constructed at Madhwad, Nawabandar, Veraval-2 and Sutrapada.

The initiatives taken by the State Government for the development of fisheries for the current year 2025-26 include assistance in setting up Biofloc/Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) for fish farming and production, assistance in purchasing medicines and minerals for pre-preparation of shrimp ponds and probiotics as feed, assistance for cage culture (Bhambharapani).

In addition, assistance in setting up modern boat building yards, assistance in setting up blast freezers and cold storage for boat owners, fisheries cooperative societies and fish traders, provision of boats (replacement) and nets for traditional fishermen, assistance in setting up fish by-product processing units, assistance in setting up sea-weed seed banks, assistance in setting up shrimp/fish/crab hatcheries, assistance for sea-weed culture etc. will also be provided.