World Fisheries Day 2025: India’s Push Toward a Blue Transformation For UPSC 2026 Prelims + Mains

 

World Fisheries Day 2025: India’s Push Toward a Blue Transformation

For UPSC 2026 Prelims + Mains

World Fisheries Day is observed every year on 21 November to highlight the importance of fisheries, aquaculture, livelihoods, nutrition, and ocean health. For 2025, India is marking the occasion with a major national event in New Delhi, reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on a sustainable, technology-driven Blue Economy.

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Theme 2025: “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports”

This theme signals India’s shift from raw seafood export to high-value, processed, branded, and traceable products aimed at global markets. It connects directly with:

• Blue Economy 2.0

• PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Atmanirbhar Bharat in Fisheries

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14: Life Below Water)

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Key Highlights of the 2025 Celebration

Venue: Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi

Date: 21 November 2025

Organised by: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D)

Dignitaries:

• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) – virtual presence

• MoS S.P. Singh Baghel

• MoS George Kurian

Global Participation:

Delegations from 27 countries, indicating India’s rising influence in the global fisheries and aquaculture ecosystem.

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Major Releases & Launches (Very Important for Prelims 2026)

1. National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture

A central digital system to track fish and aquaculture products from farm to fork.

Objectives:

• Ensure compliance with domestic + international standards

• Improve food safety

• Enhance market access

• Promote sustainability

• Boost export competitiveness

Keywords for Prelims: Digital traceability, sustainability, export standards, value chain transparency.

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2. SOPs and Guidelines for Sustainable Fisheries (2025 Pack)

The Government released multiple guidelines forming a comprehensive regulatory ecosystem:

1. SOPs for Mariculture

2. Guidelines for Smart & Integrated Harbours

3. Guidelines for Fish Landing Centres (FLCs)

4. Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries Management

5. Compendium of Coastal Aquaculture Guidelines

Importance:

These interventions support sustainable fishing practices, modern infrastructure, and regulated aquaculture.

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Technical Sessions (Useful for Mains GS-3: Economy + Environment)

Session 1: Enhancing Growth through Value Addition

Focus areas:

• Diversification of value-added seafood products

• Branding and packaging

• Standards and certification

• Strengthening cold chain and processing infrastructure

UPSC angle: Connect with Food Processing Sector, Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), PMMSY, Gati Shakti, and export competitiveness.

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Session 2: Harnessing Export Potential of Indian Inland States/UTs

Emphasis on:

• Freshwater fish species (Rohu, Catla, Pangasius, Tilapia, etc.)

• Bringing inland states into export value chains

• Improving hatchery technologies, feed quality, and cluster-based farming

UPSC angle:

Links to Doubling farmer incomes, inland aquaculture, livelihood diversification, and water resource utilisation.

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Relevance for UPSC 2026

Prelims Points

• World Fisheries Day – 21 November

• Theme 2025

• National Framework on Digital Traceability

• New guidelines released (Mariculture, Reservoir Fisheries, Smart Harbours, etc.)

• Ministries involved (MoFAH&D)

• India’s Blue Economy initiatives

• Global participation (27 countries)

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Mains (GS-3) – How to Use This in Answers

Possible questions:

1. “Discuss the importance of digital traceability in strengthening India’s seafood export ecosystem.”

2. “Evaluate India’s efforts toward building a sustainable and value-added fisheries sector under the Blue Economy framework.”

3. “How can inland states contribute to India’s seafood export expansion?”

Key points to include:

• Traceability → boosts credibility, reduces rejections in EU/US markets

• Value addition → increases income for fishers & processors

• Integrated harbours → reduce post-harvest losses

• Reservoir guidelines → expand inland fisheries production

• Aquaculture regulation → prevents disease, ecological damage

• Export-driven growth → fits with PMMSY and Blue Economy 2.0

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Conclusion

World Fisheries Day 2025 reflects India’s commitment to transitioning from volume-based to value-based seafood production. With strong global partnerships, digital traceability, modern guidelines, and inland state integration, India is steering toward a sustainable, innovative and export-driven Blue Transformation.

This topic sits at the intersection of economy, environment, technology, governance, and agriculture, making it extremely relevant for UPSC 2026 Prelims + Mains.