India has launched its Fifth Marine Fisheries Census (MFC)—a major nationwide exercise to map, understand, and support marine fishing communities. Unveiled in Mumbai by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, this edition introduces a fully digital approach, signaling a shift toward more accurate, real-time data collection.

The census will cover around 1.2 million households across ~3,500 coastal villages, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of India’s marine fisheries sector.

What is the Marine Fisheries Census?

The MFC has been conducted every five years since 2005. Its objectives include:

  • Documenting fisher families and villages
  • Recording fishing crafts and gear
  • Mapping infrastructure like harbours and landing centres

The last census (2016) identified 3,477 fishing villages across 13 coastal states and UTs, highlighting the scale and diversity of India’s marine sector.

Digital Transformation: The VyAS-NAV App

A key innovation in the 2025 census is the introduction of the VyAS-NAV mobile application.

  • Enables real-time data entry and validation
  • Used by supervisors for field verification
  • Covers villages, landing centres, and harbours

This digital system aims to reduce errors, improve transparency, and ensure faster data processing compared to traditional paper-based methods.

What Data Will Be Collected?

The census goes beyond counting—it aims to understand livelihoods and challenges:

  • Demographic details of fisher households
  • Socio-economic conditions
  • Fishing practices and equipment
  • Alternative livelihood options

This data will help evaluate how effectively government schemes are reaching coastal communities and where improvements are needed.

New Insurance Scheme for Aquafarmers

Alongside the census, the government introduced India’s first aquaculture insurance scheme under the
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana.

Key features:

  • Basic insurance for essential protection
  • Comprehensive insurance for broader risk coverage
  • Focus on marginal and small aquafarmers

This initiative aims to provide financial security against risks like disease outbreaks, climate events, and production losses.

Environmental Conservation Measures

Sustainability is a major focus of this census. The government has introduced guidelines for the Turtle Excluder Device (TED):

  • Reduces by-catch during shrimp trawling
  • Helps protect endangered marine species, especially turtles
  • Promotes eco-friendly fishing practices

This reflects a growing emphasis on balancing economic activity with marine conservation.

Timeline and Implementation

The census will be conducted in phases:

  • Village-level enumeration: May–June 2025
  • Household-level data collection: November–December 2025
  • Completion target: December 2025

Importantly, enumerators from fishing communities will be involved, ensuring better local understanding and participation.

Conclusion

The Fifth Marine Fisheries Census represents more than just data collection—it is a strategic effort to modernize fisheries governance in India. By combining digital tools, social insights, financial protection, and environmental safeguards, the initiative aims to strengthen coastal livelihoods while ensuring long-term sustainability.

The quality of data gathered today will directly shape the policies that guide India’s marine fisheries sector in the years ahead.