- Why in news
- On 31 August 2026, the Vice President is to release the "Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031" Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries at an outreach programme at Agatti, Lakshadweep, organised by the Department of Fisheries.
- What it is
- Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 is a strategic action plan for ornamental (aquarium) fisheries, prepared by the Department of Fisheries. It sets a uniform framework for scientific management, biosecurity, quality assurance and regulation across the value chain. It fits the government's cluster-based approach to fisheries and the blue economy.
- Nodal department
- The plan comes from the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
- What the plan standardises
- It gives a uniform framework for scientific management, biosecurity, quality assurance and regulatory compliance across the ornamental fisheries value chain.
- Lakshadweep's share of EEZ
- Lakshadweep has an EEZ of nearly 4 lakh sq. km, about 17% of India's total EEZ, and a lagoon area of over 4,200 sq. km.
- Seaweed Cluster
- Lakshadweep has been notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster under the cluster-based approach to fisheries.
- High seas guidelines
- India has notified Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025.
Don’t confuse with Ornamental fisheries vs. food fisheries: Ornamental fisheries deal with aquarium fish bred, traded and exported for display. Food fisheries, such as tuna, supply seafood.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Ornamental fisheries can add export earnings and livelihoods, including for women, in island and coastal areas.
- Uniform standards on biosecurity, quarantine and traceability can improve quality and market access.
Problems
- Wild collection of marine ornamental species can harm coral reef ecosystems if not regulated.
- Breeding, hatchery, quarantine and certification capacity is limited among small producers.
Way forward
- Promote captive breeding over wild capture and enforce the standard procedures through training and certification.
- Link island clusters to markets and exports while protecting lagoon ecosystems.
Put in your answer
Seafood exports: India exported seafood worth about ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Action plan on ornamental fisheries is a lasting topic, but the release gives few testable facts beyond the launch event.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.