Marine Fisheries Census 2025 (MFC 2025)

The fifth National Marine Fisheries Census 2025 (MFC 2025) will be jointly conducted by the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).  This census aims to provide comprehensive, accurate, and timely data essential for the sustainable development and governance of the sector, which supports over a million families. Officially launched on the World Fisheries Day on November 21, 2024, the MFC 2025, is set to be completed by December 2025.

Training Workshops conducted for State, District and Field Level Coordinators

Training Workshop for State Level Coordinators

6-7 October, 2025

• Aimed to orient SLCs on operational framework and digital tools for the nationwide enumeration (3 Nov– 18 Dec 2025).
• Covered census design, workflow, coordination structure, and app-based tools — VyAS–BHARAT and VyAS–SUTRA, and web application.
• Included demonstrations on data collection schedules, app navigation, and reporting features.
• Interactive discussions captured field-level feedback for usability improvements.
• Clarified roles, data-handling protocols, and reporting hierarchies.
• Strengthened technical and procedural readiness for effective census supervision.

Pre-Census Workshops

ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi, Kerala

A two day pre-census workshop was organized at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi during 11-12 August 2025 for finalizing the list of marine fishing villages of Kerala.

Mandapam Regional Centre of CMFRI, Tamil Nadu

The pre-census workshop was conducted on 18–19 August 2025 at the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI. The workshop focused on finalizing the list of marine fisheries villages in Tamil Nadu, covering areas from Mayiladuthurai to Kanyakumari districts, as part of the Marine Fisheries Census – 2025, scheduled to be held across India during November–December 2025. The Deputy Director of Fisheries (Ramanathapuram), Assistant Directors of Fisheries, and Inspectors of Fisheries from different districts actively contributed to the discussions and finalization. In addition, the SICs of Mandapam and Tuticorin, along with officials associated with the Marine Fisheries Census-2025 from the Mandapam Centre, participated in the deliberations.

Mangalore Regional Centre of CMFRI, Karnataka

A two day pre-census workshop was organized at the Mangalore Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI for finalizing the list of marine fishing villages along the three coastal districts of Karnataka, during 18-19 August 2025.

Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of CMFRI, Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI organized a two-day Pre-Census Workshop on August 25-26, marking a significant step forward for the Marine Fisheries Census 2025. The workshop saw active participation from top officials of the Andhra Pradesh Department of Fisheries along with scientists and officials from ICAR-CMFRI.

Veraval Regional Station of CMFRI, Gujarat

A two-day workshop on the Marine Fisheries Pre-Census activities was held at ICAR-CMFRI Veraval Regional Station. The workshop was chaired by the project leader of Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Dr. J. Jayasankar, Head, FRAEED, Kochi and co-ordinated by the Scientist-in-Charge, Veraval RS and state co-ordinator Dr. P.S.Swathilekshmi. The 2-day workshop witnessed very useful deliberations on the pre-census activities undertaken in Gujarat by the field level supervisors which were presented before the participants. The same was scrutinised and validated by the Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors of State Department of Fisheries of the concerned coastal districts.

Mumbai Regional Station of CMFRI, Maharashtra

The Pre-Census Workshop for the Marine Fisheries Census–2025 was successfully conducted on 21–22 August at the Mumbai Regional Centre of ICAR–CMFRI and the Commissioner Office, State Fisheries Department, Government of Maharashtra. The workshop brought together key officials from CMFRI and the State Fisheries Department to finalize the list of marine fisheries villages across Maharashtra's seven coastal districts. Dr. J. Jayasankar, Head of FRAEED and Project Leader of MFC–2025, provided a detailed briefing on the VyAS–NAV app, a key digital tool for the census. This collaborative effort ensures close coordination and accuracy for the national-level census, scheduled to be held across India during November–December 2025. This vital data will play a significant role in future policy and development for marine fisheries communities.

Madras Regional Station of CMFRI, Tamil Nadu

The pre-census workshop was conducted during 21–22 August 2025 at the Madras Regional Station (MRS) of ICAR-CMFRI. The workshop focused on finalizing the list of marine fishing villages in Tamil Nadu, covering areas from Thiruvallur to Cuddalore districts, as part of the upcoming Marine Fisheries Census – 2025, scheduled to be held across India during November–December 2025. Dr. P. Reena Selvi, Joint Director of Fisheries (Chennai Region), Thiru. N.M. Velmurugan, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Cuddalore District, and Dr. R. Narayana Kumar, SIC of MRS, Chennai, along with several other officials including the District Level Coordinators (DLCs) and Field Level Coordinators (FLCs) associated with the Marine Fisheries Census-2025, actively participated in the deliberations and contributed to the discussions and finalization process, ensuring effective planning and coordination for the national exercise.

Goa

A meeting with the officials of Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Goa, was organized on 21st August 2025, for finalizing the marine fishing villages list of Goa state.

Puri Field Centre of CMFRI, Odisha

ICAR-CMFRI's Puri Field Centre hosted a Pre-Census Workshop for Odisha on August 28, 2025, in preparation for the upcoming Marine Fisheries Census–2025.

Sensitization Workshop

Marine Fisheries Census 2025 Sensitization Workshop was conducted during 20-21 May 2025 at ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi in hybrid mode. Around 220 participants attended the workshop.