India Launches First Fully Digital National Marine Fisheries Census 2025

India has launched its first-ever fully digitized National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) headquarters in Kochi, Kerala. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian. The census aims to digitally collect data from over 1.2 million fishing families across 13 coastal states and union territories, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Using mobile applications like VYAS–BHARAT and VYAS–SUTRA, this geo-referenced system replaces the traditional paper-based method, ensuring faster, transparent and more accurate data collection. This initiative will help in better policy planning, sustainable fisheries development and improving the livelihoods of India’s fishing communities.