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

A massive nationwide exercise to document the socio-economic and occupational status of India’s marine fishing community will be launched on 31 October 2025. This marks the beginning of household enumeration under the 5th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025. The initiative, led by the Department of Fisheries, will gather vital information to guide sustainable fisheries management and policy decisions.

Launch at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute

Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian will officially inaugurate the census and a national workshop at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi. The event will also mark the launch of the National Marine Fisheries Data Centre, a dedicated platform to store and analyse fisheries data from across India. The centre aims to enhance data-driven decision-making for coastal development and marine resource conservation.

Comprehensive Coverage and Local Participation

The MFC 2025 will cover more than 1.2 million fisher households across India’s coastal states and Union Territories. Enumerators drawn from local fishing communities will conduct the 45-day enumeration, visiting marine fisherman households to collect detailed data. The census, conducted every five years, records information on fishers, their families, fishing crafts, and gears — forming the backbone of national marine fisheries statistics.

First Fully Digital and Geo-Referenced Census

In a major technological leap, the 2025 edition will be India’s first fully digital and geo-referenced marine fisheries census. CMFRI has developed customised mobile and tablet-based applications to streamline field data collection, minimise manual errors, and accelerate data compilation. This transition to digital platforms will ensure higher accuracy and efficiency in compiling national fisheries data. Two major digital tools — VYAS-BHARAT and VYAS-SUTRA — will also be released to aid data collection and analysis.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The 5th Marine Fisheries Census 2025 is conducted by CMFRI under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
• It covers over 1.2 million fisher households across coastal states and Union Territories.
• This is the first fully digital and geo-referenced census of India’s marine fisheries sector.
• VYAS-BHARAT and VYAS-SUTRA are CMFRI-developed digital tools for data collection and analysis.

Data for Sustainable Fisheries and Policy Planning

The findings from MFC 2025 are expected to shape national strategies for marine resource management and livelihood enhancement. By integrating scientific data with local insights, the census will support sustainable fishing practices, infrastructure development, and welfare schemes for coastal communities, strengthening India’s blue economy framework.