PUDUCHERRY, 16 February 2026: Calling for a transformational shift in the marine fisheries sector, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday said that Central and State government schemes would help convert traditional fishers into entrepreneurs and international exporters, positioning Puducherry as a major blue economy hub.
Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day International Workshop on “Marine Fisheries Value Chain in the Bay of Bengal Region with Puducherry as Destination,” Rangasamy said fishers from Puducherry and Karaikal would benefit from initiatives such as the Integrated Port Development Scheme and the Fisheries Processing Cluster.
“These schemes will transform the fishermen’s business model from merely catching and selling fish to becoming entrepreneurs and global export players,” he said, highlighting the strong domestic and international demand potential for Puducherry’s seafood.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) and the Government of Puducherry, in association with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, National Fisheries Development Board, and Environmental Defense India Foundation.
Roadmap to Unlock Blue Economy Potential
A comprehensive roadmap developed under the Puducherry–BOBP partnership was presented by BOBP Director Dr P. Krishnan. It outlined immediate, medium-term and policy-level reforms to transform the Union Territory from a raw fish supplier into a value-added seafood and export-driven hub.
Despite strong production metrics — including an average per-trip yield of 6,095 kg, more than double the national average — nearly 43% of the catch currently leaves Puducherry without value addition. The roadmap flagged weak cold chain infrastructure, high ice costs, subsidy gaps, inadequate insurance coverage, and insufficient safety systems as key challenges.
The report also emphasized strengthening women fishers, noting that 24 fisherwomen cooperative societies with over 15,000 members are active in the region.
Puducherry Fisheries Minister K. Lakshminarayanan described the workshop as a platform to open new career opportunities and create a level playing field in global seafood markets.
