From Sat, direct flight from Andaman to SE Asia ; Andaman hosts top fisheries investors

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for their vast marine fisheries resources, hosted leading investors in the tuna fishing and seaweed sectors on Thursday, as the Centre unveiled plans to develop a dedicated tuna cluster in the region.

Minister of Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated the investors' meet at Swaraj Dweep, highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing the region's fisheries potential.

To further boost the fisheries sector and trade, the first direct flight connecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Southeast Asia—via Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia—will be inaugurated on November 16.

Singh emphasized that the government is driving the Blue Revolution, backed by an unprecedented investment of ₹38,572 crore since 2015. "Andaman and Nicobar Islands are poised to become a future hub for fisheries exports, and the government is working to strengthen trade links with Southeast Asian countries. Efforts are underway to promote deep-sea fishing and develop post-harvest processing facilities to help achieve the export target of ₹1 lakh crore," Singh said.

Admiral D.K. Joshi, Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, acknowledged the region's potential but noted key challenges, including limited connectivity to Southeast Asia, delays in trade clearances due to the absence of a Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) office, and inadequate transport infrastructure. Despite these hurdles, he expressed optimism, noting that the commencement of international flights to Southeast Asia and the establishment of an MPEDA office in the islands would address many of these issues.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands represent a prime opportunity for the tuna harvesting sector, with a vast 6 lakh square km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in high-value tuna species. The untapped oceanic potential is estimated at 60,000 metric tons, including 24,000 metric tons of Yellowfin and 2,000 metric tons of Skipjack. Currently, only 4,420 metric tons are being harvested, leaving ample room for growth.

Strategically located near Southeast Asia, the islands offer efficient sea and air trade routes, positioning India to significantly expand its tuna export capabilities.