Blue Economy: The ₹8,000 Crore Scheme MSMEs Should Actually Know About

By Simarpreet Kaur --
Thursday, 16 Oct, 2025

Finally, A Policy That Remembers Coastal MSMEs Exist

While tech startups grab headlines with funding announcements, over 2.8 crore Indians in fishing and allied sectors, mostly operating as micro and small enterprises, have been quietly exporting seafood worth ₹60,523 crore in 2023-24. That's a 100% jump from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14, achieved without venture capital, pitch decks, or Series A rounds. Now Niti Aayog has released its Blue Economy strategy with ₹8,000 crore allocated across 2025-2032 specifically targeting deep-sea and offshore fisheries. For MSMEs in coastal states, this isn't just another policy document, it's a potential game-changer for those who know how to navigate it.

The report titled "India's Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries" released recently outlines infrastructure upgrades, export promotion, fleet modernization, and regulatory simplification across three phases. The Aayog states, "Harnessing the deep-sea resources can boost India's fisheries sector, augment seafood exports, and generate new employment opportunities in coastal regions while reducing the fishing pressure on coastal fishery resources," meaning MSMEs in fishing, processing, cold storage, or seafood export stand to gain significantly from incoming government support.

Phase I (2025-28): What MSMEs Can Access Immediately

The first phase commits ₹2,430 crore for registered Udyam MSMEs with direct financial support and market access.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Get 40-60% subsidies for cold storage, ice plants, and processing units through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) worth ₹20,050 crore. Apply at https://pmmsy.dof.gov.in/ through your state fisheries department.

Export Support: MPEDA covers 40-50% of costs for export certifications (HACCP, ISO, BRC, and EU standards). Get 75% subsidy for international trade fairs and 50% reimbursement for overseas buyer visits. Prioritize certifications before 2026-27 funding peak.

Registration & Credit Access: Register for free at https://udyamregistration.gov.in/ using only Aadhaar. It takes minutes, and no documents are needed. This unlocks priority bank loans, MUDRA loans up to ₹10 lakh without collateral, and emergency credit lines under ECLGS.

Quality Certification: Get an 80% subsidy for export-quality ZED Certification at https://zed.msme.gov.in/. Micro units get free FSSAI licenses. Pay just 1% GST on seafood if turnover is under ₹1.5 crore.

Guaranteed Sales: The Government reserves 25% procurement for MSMEs. Sell directly to the Indian Navy, Railways, and defense through https://gem.gov.in/ no middlemen, transparent pricing, and assured payment.

Phase II (2028-32): Fleet Modernization for MSME Boat Owners

Phase II provides ₹4,210 crore for boat owners and cooperatives to upgrade vessels and technology.

Vessel Upgrades: Get a 50% subsidy to replace wooden boats with steel vessels having GPS, fish finders, and refrigeration. Collateral-free loans up to ₹5 crore are available at https://www.cgtmse.in/ with just 4-6% interest after subsidies.

Technology Equipment: Deep-sea fishing gear (sonar, navigation, and safety equipment) costs ₹15-25 lakh per boat. Get a 40% subsidy for micro units and 30% for small units through state fisheries departments.

Working Capital: Banks must give priority loans to Udyam-registered MSMEs. Combined with government procurement guarantees through GeM, you get both financing and assured buyers, eliminating traditional trade exploitation.

The Path Ahead: From Policy to Profit

Take Action Now: Ensure your Udyam Registration at https://udyamregistration.gov.in/ is active with the correct classification; manufacturing for processors, service for cold storage, and trading for exporters. Get FSSAI for domestic sales and MPEDA registration at https://mpeda.gov.in/ for export procedures. Join fisheries cooperatives for bulk benefits and collective bargaining power. Document everything meticulously; subsidies require proof of turnover, employment, and investment matching MSME definitions. The ₹8,000 crore Blue Economy commitment recognizes MSMEs create real value: jobs for coastal communities, foreign exchange, and nutritional security. Don't let unregistered players and large corporations capture benefits designed specifically for you.

Blue Economy: The ₹8,000 Crore Scheme MSMEs Should Actually Know About. <h2>Finally, A Policy That Remembers Coastal MSMEs Exist</h2>

While tech startups grab headlines with funding announcements, over 2.8 crore Indians in fishing and allied sectors, mostly operating as micro and small enterprises, have been quietly exporting seafood worth ₹60,523 crore in 2023-24. That's a 100% jump from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14, achieved without venture capital, pitch decks, or Series A rounds. Now Niti Aayog has released its Blue Economy strategy with ₹8,000 crore allocated across 2025-2032 specifically targeting deep-sea and offshore fisheries. For MSMEs in coastal states, this isn't just another policy document, it's a potential game-changer for those who know how to navigate it.

The report titled "India's Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries" released recently outlines infrastructure upgrades, export promotion, fleet modernization, and regulatory simplification across three phases. The Aayog states, "Harnessing the deep-sea resources can boost India's fisheries sector, augment seafood exports, and generate new employment opportunities in coastal regions while reducing the fishing pressure on coastal fishery resources," meaning MSMEs in fishing, processing, cold storage, or seafood export stand to gain significantly from incoming government support.

<h2>Phase I (2025-28): What MSMEs Can Access Immediately</h2>

The first phase commits ₹2,430 crore for registered Udyam MSMEs with direct financial support and market access.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Get 40-60% subsidies for cold storage, ice plants, and processing units through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) worth ₹20,050 crore. Apply at<a href="https://pmmsy.dof.gov.in/"> https://pmmsy.dof.gov.in/</a> through your state fisheries department.

Export Support: MPEDA covers 40-50% of costs for export certifications (HACCP, ISO, BRC, and EU standards). Get 75% subsidy for international trade fairs and 50% reimbursement for overseas buyer visits. Prioritize certifications before 2026-27 funding peak.

Registration & Credit Access: Register for free at<a href="https://udyamregistration.gov.in/"> https://udyamregistration.gov.in/</a> using only Aadhaar. It takes minutes, and no documents are needed. This unlocks priority bank loans, MUDRA loans up to ₹10 lakh without collateral, and emergency credit lines under ECLGS.

Quality Certification: Get an 80% subsidy for export-quality ZED Certification at<a href="https://zed.msme.gov.in/"> https://zed.msme.gov.in/</a>. Micro units get free FSSAI licenses. Pay just 1% GST on seafood if turnover is under ₹1.5 crore.

Guaranteed Sales: The Government reserves 25% procurement for MSMEs. Sell directly to the Indian Navy, Railways, and defense through<a href="https://gem.gov.in/—no"> </a><a href="https://gem.gov.in/">https://gem.gov.in/</a> no middlemen, transparent pricing, and assured payment.

<h2>Phase II (2028-32): Fleet Modernization for MSME Boat Owners</h2>

Phase II provides ₹4,210 crore for boat owners and cooperatives to upgrade vessels and technology.

Vessel Upgrades: Get a 50% subsidy to replace wooden boats with steel vessels having GPS, fish finders, and refrigeration. Collateral-free loans up to ₹5 crore are available at<a href="https://www.cgtmse.in/"> https://www.cgtmse.in/</a> with just 4-6% interest after subsidies.

Technology Equipment: Deep-sea fishing gear (sonar, navigation, and safety equipment) costs ₹15-25 lakh per boat. Get a 40% subsidy for micro units and 30% for small units through state fisheries departments.

Working Capital: Banks must give priority loans to Udyam-registered MSMEs. Combined with government procurement guarantees through GeM, you get both financing and assured buyers, eliminating traditional trade exploitation.

<h2>The Path Ahead: From Policy to Profit</h2>

Take Action Now: Ensure your Udyam Registration at<a href="https://udyamregistration.gov.in/"> https://udyamregistration.gov.in/</a> is active with the correct classification; manufacturing for processors, service for cold storage, and trading for exporters. Get FSSAI for domestic sales and MPEDA registration at<a href="https://mpeda.gov.in/"> https://mpeda.gov.in/</a> for export procedures. Join fisheries cooperatives for bulk benefits and collective bargaining power. Document everything meticulously; subsidies require proof of turnover, employment, and investment matching MSME definitions. The ₹8,000 crore Blue Economy commitment recognizes MSMEs create real value: jobs for coastal communities, foreign exchange, and nutritional security. Don't let unregistered players and large corporations capture benefits designed specifically for you.