5th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 to Commence Across Coastal States

• The 5th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 will begin on 31 October 2025 , marking a nationwide effort to document the socio-economic and occupational status of India’s marine fishing community. Conducted by the Department of Fisheries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana , the census aims to collect vital data for sustainable fisheries management and policy planning.

Launch and Key Developments

• Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian will inaugurate the census and a national workshop at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) , Kochi. The event will also see the launch of the National Marine Fisheries Data Centre , which will store and analyse fisheries data to support evidence-based policymaking.

Scope and Coverage

• The census will cover over 1.2 million fisher households across India’s coastal states and Union Territories. Over a 45-day enumeration period , trained enumerators from local fishing communities will collect detailed data on fishers, their families, fishing crafts, and gears.

First Fully Digital and Geo-Referenced Census

• MFC 2025 will be India’s first fully digital and geo-referenced fisheries census , using mobile and tablet-based applications developed by CMFRI. The digital tools VYAS-BHARAT and VYAS-SUTRA will streamline data collection and analysis, ensuring greater accuracy and faster compilation.

Significance
Findings from MFC 2025 will help shape national strategies for marine resource management, coastal development, and fisher welfare , reinforcing India’s commitment to a sustainable blue economy .