The Pavilion captures India’s next-generation aquaculture vision, with models designed to address climate change, resource constraints, and global competitiveness. Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) take center stage as closed-loop, water-efficient farming models capable of high-density output with minimal land use. Under PMMSY, 12,000 RAS units have already been sanctioned with an investment of Rs 902.97 crore. Complementing this, Biofloc Technology uses beneficial microbes to convert organic waste into feed, creating eco-friendly, low-cost systems for farmers; 4,205 units worth Rs 523.30 crore have been approved so far.

Equally innovative is Cage Culture, which allows farmers to rear fish in floating enclosures across reservoirs and lakes, tapping underutilized water bodies for sustainable growth. Urban and resource-constrained regions are being introduced to Aquaponics, an integrated method that produces up to five times more fish per year while simultaneously yielding fresh vegetables. Seaweed farming, too, is gaining traction as a high-potential avenue for food, fertilizers, cosmetics, and bioplastics. With Rs 195 crore committed to seaweed projects and Lakshadweep designated as a dedicated cluster, India is positioning itself as a future hub for seaweed-based innovation.

Drones, Smart Harbours, and Marine Safety

Perhaps the Pavilion’s most striking innovation is a prototype drone, developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Designed to carry up to 70 kilograms of fish and aquaculture products, the drone promises faster, more efficient logistics while also enabling surveillance, environmental monitoring, and automated feeding systems.

On the marine safety front, the Vessel Communication and Support System has emerged as a life-saving breakthrough. By using satellite connectivity, it provides real-time weather alerts and vessel tracking well beyond the reach of mobile networks. Its effectiveness was demonstrated during Cyclone DANA, when mass alerts helped ensure the timely evacuation of fishers at sea. The government has cleared the installation of free transponders on nearly one lakh marine fishing vessels, creating one of the world’s largest digital safety nets for coastal communities.

Onshore, the Pavilion showcases Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours—an effort to modernize landing and processing facilities with IoT-enabled monitoring, renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, and advanced waste management. Three pilot harbours—Vanakbara in Diu, Karaikal in Puducherry, and Jakhau in Gujarat—are under development at a combined cost of ₹369.8 crore. Together, they signal India’s push to build climate-smart fisheries infrastructure on par with international standards.

Showcasing Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Beyond technology, the Pavilion serves as a showcase for the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in fisheries. Eleven stalls highlight the contributions of startups, private enterprises, and leading government research institutes, including ICAR-CIFT, ICAR-CMFRI, ICAR-CIFA, NIPHAAT, and state fisheries departments from Jharkhand and Uttarakhand. Adding a cultural dimension, the Live Cooking Zone allows visitors to experience India’s diverse seafood heritage, reinforcing both domestic gastronomic traditions and export potential.

By integrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, the Pavilion underscores India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for aquaculture technology and blue economy solutions.