High-level bilateral meeting explores collaboration in mariculture, tuna fisheries, hatcheries, AI-based fisheries management, marine conservation and sustainable value-chain development
New Delhi : India and Seychelles have agreed to deepen cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture and the broader blue economy, with a focus on sustainable marine-resource management, technological innovation, scientific research and institutional capacity-building.
The discussions took place during a high-level bilateral meeting held on August 25, 2026, hosted by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
The Seychelles delegation was led by H.E. Wallace Cosgrow, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, while the Indian delegation was headed by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries.
The meeting reviewed existing cooperation mechanisms between the two countries and explored new areas where India and Seychelles can work together to promote sustainable use of marine resources and strengthen the blue economy.
India-Seychelles Maritime Partnership
Welcoming the Seychelles delegation, the Indian side highlighted the longstanding maritime relationship between the two countries and reiterated India’s commitment to expanding cooperation in:
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Advanced marine scientific research
- Technical cooperation
- Capacity-building and training
- Sustainable fisheries management
- Technology-driven fisheries infrastructure
Both sides emphasized that closer cooperation in these areas can contribute to food and nutritional security, employment generation and socio-economic development across the Indian Ocean Region.
India’s Fish Production Reaches 19.7 Million Tonnes
During the meeting, India highlighted the significant growth of its fisheries sector.
According to the information shared by the Indian delegation, the country’s fish production has reached 19.7 million tonnes, while seafood exports are valued at approximately USD 8.46 billion.
India also outlined its efforts to promote responsible fishing, sustainable harvesting practices and modern fisheries infrastructure through technology-driven interventions.
The discussions highlighted the potential for India’s experience and technical capabilities to contribute to fisheries-sector development in Seychelles.
Wide-Ranging Cooperation in Fisheries and Aquaculture
The two countries identified several technical areas for potential joint development.
Marine Aquaculture and Hatcheries
India and Seychelles explored cooperation in marine aquaculture, or mariculture, as well as the development of modern hatchery facilities.
The collaboration could support improved production techniques, technology transfer and capacity-building for sustainable aquaculture.
Tuna Fisheries
Tuna fisheries emerged as another important area of potential cooperation.
The two sides discussed opportunities to improve tuna-fishing practices, undertake stock assessments and strengthen the sustainability of tuna resources.
Given the importance of tuna to the Indian Ocean fisheries economy, cooperation in scientific assessment and responsible harvesting could help support long-term resource management.
Post-Harvest Technology
The delegations also discussed advanced post-harvest engineering, including technologies and practices that can reduce losses, improve quality and increase the economic value of fish products.
Better post-harvest infrastructure can play an important role in improving incomes across the fisheries value chain.
Focus on Marine Conservation
Marine conservation was another key component of the discussions.
India and Seychelles explored opportunities to strengthen sustainable fisheries management while ensuring that marine resources are protected for future generations.
Both countries recognized that economic development in the blue economy needs to be balanced with responsible management of marine ecosystems.
AI and Digital Technologies to Transform Fisheries
A major focus of the meeting was the growing role of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fisheries management.
The two sides explored potential cooperation in:
- Fisheries data-management systems
- Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS)
- Digital fisheries infrastructure
- AI-based harvest-management systems
- Scientific data collection and analysis
- Technology-enabled fisheries monitoring
The use of AI and digital tools could help improve fisheries monitoring, support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen the sustainable management of marine resources.
Strengthening the Tuna Value Chain
India and Seychelles also discussed ways to improve the tuna value chain, including processing, product diversification and sustainable management of fish waste.
The objective is to move beyond primary production and create greater economic value through processing, technology and innovative fish-based products.
Sustainable fish-waste management was also identified as an important area where technological solutions and best practices could be exchanged.
Knowledge Transfer and Technical Training
Both countries agreed on the importance of structured knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
Potential initiatives include:
- Targeted technical studies
- Fisheries extension services
- Institutional training programmes
- Specialized technical exchanges
- Mutual exposure visits
- Collaboration between research institutions
- Reciprocal access to laboratories
- Joint scientific projects
Such programmes are expected to help fisheries professionals, scientists and institutions in both countries share expertise and adopt international best practices.
Seychelles Proposes Dedicated Fisheries and Aquaculture MoU
The Seychelles delegation expressed strong interest in accelerating bilateral cooperation through a dedicated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering fisheries and aquaculture.
The proposed cooperation framework would include an advanced work plan and institutional mechanisms for sustained engagement.
Seychelles also emphasized the need for continuous communication among:
- Government and administrative authorities
- Academic institutions
- Researchers
- Fisheries experts
- Technical organizations
An institutionalized mechanism could help ensure that bilateral commitments translate into concrete projects and measurable outcomes.
Annual Work Plan Proposed for Long-Term Cooperation
To ensure that cooperation remains structured and result-oriented, both sides emphasized the importance of developing a regular annual work plan.
The proposed framework could include:
- Identification of priority projects
- Joint technical studies
- Research collaboration
- Capacity-building programmes
- Pilot projects
- Technology transfer
- Regulatory coordination
- Commercialization of successful research outcomes
The countries also discussed accelerating the commercialization of jointly developed scientific research so that innovations can be converted into practical applications.
Centres of Excellence to Support Capacity Building
India and Seychelles also discussed the possibility of leveraging their respective Centres of Excellence for strengthening institutional capabilities.
Mutual exposure visits and specialized technical exchanges could enable experts from both countries to observe successful fisheries-management practices and adapt them to their respective national requirements.
Building a Sustainable Blue Economy
The discussions reflect the growing importance of the blue economy as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Fisheries and aquaculture can support:
- Food security
- Rural and coastal employment
- Export earnings
- Livelihood generation
- Sustainable economic development
- Marine-resource conservation
For island nations such as Seychelles, sustainable management of ocean resources is particularly important. India’s expanding fisheries and aquaculture capabilities provide opportunities for technical and institutional cooperation.
India-Seychelles Partnership: From Dialogue to Action
The meeting concluded on a constructive and optimistic note, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to converting bilateral discussions into concrete, result-oriented programmes.
The proposed cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, digital technologies and conservation is expected to strengthen the maritime partnership between India and Seychelles.
The emphasis on an annual work plan, dedicated MoU, technical exchanges, joint research and pilot projects indicates a move towards a more structured and implementation-focused partnership.
Key Takeaways
- 19.7 million tonnes: India’s reported current fish production.
- USD 8.46 billion: Value of India’s seafood exports.
- Key areas: Mariculture, hatcheries, tuna fisheries and stock assessment.
- Technology: AI, fisheries data systems and Monitoring, Control and Surveillance.
- Value chain: Tuna processing, product diversification and fish-waste management.
- Institutional cooperation: Training, laboratory access and Centres of Excellence.
- Proposed framework: Dedicated India-Seychelles MoU on fisheries and aquaculture.
- Long-term objective: Sustainable marine-resource utilization and stronger blue-economy cooperation.
The India-Seychelles fisheries partnership is thus poised to evolve from technical dialogue towards structured cooperation, with sustainability, technology, scientific research and capacity-building at its core.
