Overview On World Fisheries Day 2025 , the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, announced the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025 . The event, held in New Delhi , centered around the theme “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports.” The framework and related initiatives aim to modernize fisheries infrastructure, promote sustainability, and boost value addition to enhance India's seafood export competitiveness. Key Developments National Framework on Traceability The National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2025 , developed under PM-MKSSY , seeks to establish a national digital traceability system. This system aims to enhance food safety, sustainability, and global market access by unifying fragmented traceability practices. Key Initiatives Unveiled SOP for Mariculture: Standard Operating Procedure for Mariculture to promote sustainable marine aquaculture practices. SOP on Development and Management of Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbours: Aims to modernize fishing harbors for efficient operations. SOP on Development of Minimum Basic Infrastructure at Notified Marine Fish Landing Centres: Focuses on improving infrastructure at fish landing centers. Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries Management: Provides guidelines for sustainable management of reservoir fisheries. Compendium of Coastal Aquaculture Guidelines: A comprehensive guide for coastal aquaculture practices. Statements from Key Figures Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Union Minister): Reaffirmed India’s commitment to innovation and global partnerships, emphasizing a coordinated approach to strengthen the seafood value chain. He highlighted the importance of traceability, branding, and biosecurity. Shri George Kurian (Minister of State): Highlighted the doubling of fish production from 96 lakh tonnes to 195 lakh tonnes over the past decade, supported by an investment of ₹38,572 crores under schemes like PMMSY . He outlined the ambition to reach ₹1 lakh crores in seafood exports by 2030 , with 30% comprising high-value products. Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel (Minister of State): Underscored the fisheries sector's contribution to exports and supporting over 3 crore livelihoods. Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi (Secretary, Department of Fisheries): Noted the 9% annual growth rate of India’s fisheries sector, with seafood exports reaching 16.85 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25 , an 88% increase over the past decade. Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara (FAO India Representative): Reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting India in advancing food security and sustainability, highlighting the Blue Port Initiative and the need to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). International Collaboration The event saw participation from representatives of 19 embassies and international organizations, including the World Bank, FAO, AFD, GIZ, JICA, BoBP, and MSC . This engagement builds on recent diplomatic meetings to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote exports. Technical Sessions Two technical sessions focused on: Enhancing Growth through Value Addition in Fisheries and Aquaculture Harnessing Export Potential of Inland States/UTs of India with Focus on Freshwater Fish Species Inputs from these sessions will shape PMMSY Phase 2 . UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to GS3 (Economy, Agriculture) and GS2 (Government Policies and Interventions) . It highlights government initiatives to boost the fisheries sector, enhance exports, and promote sustainable practices. The focus on traceability, value addition, and international collaboration are key areas for UPSC aspirants. Important Facts India aims to achieve ₹1 Lakh Crore in seafood exports by 2030 . Fish production has doubled in the last decade due to schemes like PMMSY . The fisheries sector is growing at an annual rate of 9% . Seafood exports reached 16.85 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25 . The National Framework on Traceability aims to enhance food safety and market access.