India's First Fully Digitised Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Launched

Union Minister George Kurian launched the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 in Kochi, emphasizing a technological shift towards digital governance. Fishermen must register on the National Fisheries Digital Platform to receive government benefits. The census involves over 1.2 million households in a 45-day data collection drive using new mobile applications.

Union Minister George Kurian launched the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 in Kochi, marking a significant technological advancement in India’s fisheries governance. This initiative aims for seamless, data-driven policy implementation in the sector.

The census, running from November 3 to December 18, will reach over 1.2 million fishermen households across 4,000 marine fishing villages nationwide. Registration on the National Fisheries Digital Platform is crucial for accessing government financial schemes, emphasizing a shift towards digital dependency.

The initiative showcases real-time data collection utilizing two innovative mobile applications — VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra. The Department of Fisheries is coordinating the project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, with support from CMFRI and the Fishery Survey of India.