National Marine Fisheries Census 2025

National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Latest News

Recently, the union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, launched the Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025.

About National Marine Fisheries Census 2025

• It is the fifth edition of the Marine Fisheries Census. 
• It is a coast-wide activity fully funded by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.
• Nodal Agency: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) as the nodal agency and Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as the operational partner.

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Features of National Marine Fisheries Census 2025

• Coverage: 13 coastal States and Union Territories, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep,
• Time Period: The core household data collection is scheduled for an extended period of 45 days.
• Digital Architecture: It is powered by a suite of custom-made, multilingual Android applications—VyAS–NAV (for validation of fishing villages and harbours), VyAS–BHARAT (household and infrastructure enumeration) and VyAS–SUTRA (for real-time supervision and monitoring of households and enumerators) developed by the the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
• Expanded Socio-economic Data: For the first time, census includes detailed information on crucial indicators like total family income, homeownership, outstanding liabilities, and sources of credit.
• Focus on Vulnerability: It covers data on insurance status, major losses or disabilities, the specific socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fisher families, and the receipt of benefits from schemes like PMMSY/PM-MKSSY.
• Institutional Mapping: New schedules focusing on Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are introduced to facilitate collectivization and strengthen the value chain.

Source: PIB