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Marine Fisheries Census 2025

Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 Launched

Analysis Date: November 01, 2025

Why in News?

The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, launched the Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 in Kochi. This marks the fifth edition of the national marine fisheries enumeration and represents a complete digital transformation of the census process in India’s coastal sector.

About National Marine Fisheries Census 2025

  • Edition: Fifth
  • Implemented by: Department of Fisheries, Government of India
  • Nodal Agency: ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
  • Operational Partner: Fishery Survey of India (FSI)
  • Funding: Fully funded by the Department of Fisheries
  • Coverage: All 13 coastal States and Union Territories, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep
  • Duration: Data collection over an extended 45-day period

Census by the Numbers

5th
Edition
13
Coastal States & UTs
45 Days
Data Collection Period

Key Features of MFC 2025

  • Digital Architecture:
    • First-ever fully digital marine census using multilingual Android apps developed by CMFRI:
    • VyAS–NAV: Validation of fishing villages and harbours.
    • VyAS–BHARAT: Household and infrastructure enumeration.
    • VyAS–SUTRA: Real-time supervision and monitoring.
  • Expanded Socio-economic Coverage:
    • Inclusion of new parameters such as family income, homeownership, liabilities, and credit sources.
    • Detailed assessment of insurance coverage, COVID-19 socio-economic impacts, and benefits from schemes like PMMSY and PM-MKSSY.
  • Institutional Mapping:
    • New schedules for Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) introduced to promote collectivization and value-chain strengthening.
  • Evidence-based Planning:
    • The census will generate a geo-referenced national database to support scientific policymaking, resource management, and welfare planning.

Digital Transformation: The 'VyAS' Apps

VyAS–NAV

Village/Harbour Validation

VyAS–BHARAT

Household Enumeration

VyAS–SUTRA

Real-time Supervision

Socio-economic Data

Income, Credit, Insurance

Significance

  • Marks the digital transformation of India’s marine census operations.
  • Provides a comprehensive socio-economic database of coastal communities.
  • Strengthens policy formulation and resource allocation under fisheries management.
  • Supports sustainable development and welfare programs for fishers and fish farmers.
  • Enhances data transparency and efficiency in fisheries governance.

Additional Initiatives Highlighted

  • The Minister announced government efforts to install scientific devices like transponders and turtle excluder devices free of cost for fishers.
  • Fishermen and fish farmers were urged to register on the NFDP portal to avail various benefits under government schemes.

Quick Facts

Initiative Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025
Edition Fifth
Launched by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Nodal Agency ICAR–CMFRI
Operational Partner Fishery Survey of India (FSI)
Coverage 13 coastal States and UTs (including A&N Islands, Lakshadweep)
Time Period 45 days
Key Technology VyAS–NAV, VyAS–BHARAT, VyAS–SUTRA apps
Focus Areas Socio-economic profiling, institutional mapping, digital enumeration
Goal Creation of a geo-referenced national database for sustainable fisheries governance