PORT BLAIR, Jan 18, 2026 — Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, officially launched India’s first-ever open-sea marine fish farming project today at North Bay in the Andaman Sea. Marking a significant milestone for the nation’s Blue Economy, the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Andaman and Nicobar Union Territory administration. Singh emphasized that this project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to harness India’s vast maritime wealth—a resource he described as being as economically significant as the Himalayas or the mainland, yet largely underexplored for seven decades following independence.
The project introduces advanced cage-based cultivation technology designed to operate in natural oceanic conditions. During the launch, Singh distributed seaweed seeds and finfish seeds to local fishing communities, marking the start of a dual-track intervention focusing on marine flora and fauna. By integrating scientific innovation with livelihood generation, the government aims to empower coastal residents and islanders as active stakeholders in the maritime economy. The Minister noted that while this pilot is currently government-led, the feasibility data gathered will eventually pave the way for public-private partnerships to scale these operations across India’s diverse western, southern, and eastern seaboards.
Following the field visit to the open-sea cages, Singh visited the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor to observe the region’s self-sustaining marine ecosystems, including its vital coral reefs and mangroves. The Minister reiterated that the shift in national policy since 2014 treats the ocean as a primary frontier for economic growth. By taking technology directly to the sea, the government intends to strengthen the Blue Economy ecosystem, ensuring sustainable development and long-term food security through modern aquaculture practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
