Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 released at Agatti, with Lakshadweep holding about 17 per cent of India's exclusive economic zone

28 October 2026

The Vice-President of India released the Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development at an outreach programme at Agatti in Lakshadweep. The plan was brought out by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The plan sets a common framework for management, biosecurity, quality assurance and regulatory compliance across the ornamental fisheries value chain. Ornamental fish are reared and traded for aquariums rather than for food, and the islands' lagoons are the natural base for them.

The release records that Lakshadweep's exclusive economic zone is nearly 4 lakh sq. km, about 17 per cent of India's total exclusive economic zone, and that its lagoon area is over 4,200 sq. km. Lakshadweep has also been notified as a dedicated Seaweed Cluster.