AGATTI (LAKSHADWEEP) — Vice‑President C P Radhakrishnan on Monday underlined the need for sustainable fishing and said the government’s Blue Revolution programme could bring significant economic development while benefiting fishing communities across Lakshadweep.
Focus on conservation and regulation
Speaking at a Fisheries Outreach Programme organised by the Union Fisheries Ministry on Agatti, Radhakrishnan said the sea had nourished humanity for centuries and it was the responsibility of present generations to preserve marine resources for the future. He welcomed the ministry’s new guidelines, saying they “strongly emphasise compliance with conservation measures and a firm stand against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.”
“Sustainable fishing is a moral responsibility, and the new guidelines of our ministry are a positive step in that direction,” he said.
The Vice‑President said the government was taking schemes and support directly to fisherfolk so that they would not have to approach authorities for assistance. He urged fishers to adhere to regulations so that the administration could extend improved services more effectively.
Blue economy and local development
Radhakrishnan framed fisheries not only as a traditional occupation but as a sector that can be modernised through science and technology. He urged young people to view fisheries as a “modern profession driven by science, technology, innovation and global opportunities.”
He described Lakshadweep as a “jewel of our nation” and said the Union Territory held sizeable strategic and economic importance, noting that it accounted for nearly one‑sixth of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Vice‑President added that the Blue Revolution would mark a significant economic shift in Lakshadweep’s history.
Government outreach and scheme delivery
According to the report, Radhakrishnan emphasised that the government was moving from a model where people applied for support to one where schemes and assistance were delivered directly to communities. He called on institutions to continue supporting the fishing community with knowledge, technology and finance.
- Compliance and conservation: New ministry guidelines stress conservation measures and action against illegal fishing.
- Direct delivery: Government intends to take schemes directly to fishing communities to improve access.
- Youth and modernisation: Fisheries to be promoted as a science‑led profession with opportunities in technology and trade.
What this means locally
For residents of Agatti and other Lakshadweep islands, the Vice‑President’s remarks signal an emphasis on regulated fishing practices coupled with support mechanisms. Increased compliance measures may mean tighter monitoring of catch, gears and zones, while direct scheme delivery could improve access to subsidies, training and equipment for registered fishers.
While Radhakrishnan outlined the broad direction, the outreach event did not detail specific financial allocations or timelines for implementation in Lakshadweep. Such operational details — including how permits, surveillance and community participation will be coordinated across the islands — remain to be announced by the Union Fisheries Ministry and the Lakshadweep administration.
| Aspect | What was said |
|---|---|
| EEZ share | Nearly one‑sixth of India’s EEZ lies around Lakshadweep |
| Policy emphasis | Conservation, compliance and action against IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing |
| Development goal | Blue Revolution to boost Lakshadweep’s economic development |
Balance of opportunity and regulation
Officials have previously highlighted that strengthening the blue economy requires both protection of marine ecosystems and support for livelihoods. Radhakrishnan’s call for young people to embrace fisheries as a modern profession aligns with central government messaging on scientific fisheries management, value‑addition, and market access.
Observers say successful delivery will depend on clear rules, local stakeholder consultation and capacity building at island level. The outreach programme is part of a broader push by the Union Fisheries Ministry to engage directly with coastal and island communities; further notifications on concrete measures for Lakshadweep are awaited.
The Vice‑President was on his first official visit to Lakshadweep, the report said. The outreach event in Agatti brought together government representatives and local fishers as part of the Union government’s effort to expand support for the sector.
