LoA initiative aims to promote and strengthen fisheries farmer producer organizations (FFPO) and fisheries cooperatives while also focusing on digitization of the fisheries sector through various initiatives.  

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is organising a National Launch of Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas on 9th July 2026 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan will launch the Letter of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas. Vice President will also launch Odisha Deep Sea Mission Document during the event.

Department of Fisheries, Government of India has given special thrust to strengthening fisheries farmer producer organizations (FFPO) and fisheries cooperatives while also focusing on digitization of the fisheries sector through various initiatives.

The LoA initiative will strengthen Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives by facilitating their participation in sustainable deep-sea and high-seas fisheries, enhancing access to high-value resources and creating greater income opportunities for fishers. It also places a focus on digitization, with the entire LoA process being online, transparent, and time-bound, thereby improving service delivery, transparency, traceability, and governance in the fisheries sector.

The Vice President will distribute LoA to the fisheries cooperative societies including National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and fishing vessel owners, enabling eligible Indian-flagged fishing vessels to undertake regulated fishing operations in the high seas. The fisheries cooperative societies to be awarded include Shree Mahavir Machhimar Sahakari Mandali Ltd, Shri Martanda Prassanna Colaba Matsyodyog Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, South Goa Mechanized Boat Owners Coop. & Marketing Society Ltd, Paradeep Marine Primary Fish Production & Marketing Co-op. Society Ltd, Thengapattanam Deep Sea Fish Producers Cooperative Society and Malpe Fishermen’s Primary Co-Operative Society Ltd would receive the LoA.

The Letter of Authorisation (LoA) is a mandatory provision under the Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025. Designed as a transparent and accountable framework for Indian-flagged vessels undertaking fishing or fishing-related activities in the high seas, the LoA is vessel-specific, non-transferable and integrated with the ReALCraft Fishing Vessel Registration Portal, ensuring orderly, traceable and monitored operations. Issued and renewed at minimal cost, with no procedural constraints and real-time application tracking, the LoA facilitates ease of compliance for fishers and vessel operators. Vessels issued with an LoA are required to comply with conservation and management measures prescribed by the relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), including catch limits, gear regulations, bycatch mitigation measures, Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) management, voyage reporting and other requirements for responsible and sustainable fishing.

The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) is a flagship Blue Economy initiative of the Government of Odisha aimed at unlocking the State’s offshore and deep-sea fisheries potential and establishing Odisha as a leading deep-sea fishing and marine export hub. Through investments in modern fishing infrastructure, value chains, scientific fisheries management and market linkages, the Mission seeks to enhance fish production, generate employment, boost fisher incomes and drive sustainable growth of the marine fisheries sector.

The launch Letter of Authorisation (LoA) and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document represent the beginning of a regulated, transparent and sustainable system for authorised fishing by Indian-flagged vessels in areas beyond India’s EEZ. This will empower Indian Flagged fishing vessels toward sustainable and responsible high-seas fisheries. It symbolises India’s commitment to responsible utilisation of oceanic fisheries resources, strengthening of fisher livelihoods, enhancement of seafood exports, compliance with global sustainability standards and advancement of the national vision of a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy.

The National launch program will be graced by presence of Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha; Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha; Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Education, along with Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Gokulananda Mallik, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Fisheries & ARD and MSME, Government of Odisha; Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament, Bhubaneswar; Sukanta Panigrahi, Member of Parliament, Kandhamal; and Prasanta Kumar Jagadev, MLA, Khurda.   The event will also witness the participation of approximately 1,000 fish farmers and fishers including women fish farmers and fishers in person, along with officials from the Government of Odisha, line Ministries and Departments.