Naidu demands blue economy vision plan for coastal Andhra Pradesh

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu | Photo credit: File photo

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials and experts to prepare a comprehensive vision plan for coastal development of Andhra Pradesh focusing on boosting blue economy, promoting sustainable economic activity and protecting coastal ecology.

More value addition needed in aquaculture sector to improve economic returns and strengthen global competitiveness, says Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu | Photo credit: File photo

fAt a high-level review meeting held at the Amaravati camp office, the chief minister said the state’s nearly 1,000-km coastline should become a major hub for economic activity, tourism, employment generation and marine resource development.

Mr. Naidu directed officials to conduct a detailed study of opportunities along the coastal belt, including investment, industrial activity, fisheries development, employment generation and measures to protect fishing communities. He observed that global attention is increasingly shifting towards blue economy and sea-based economic systems, which presents a great opportunity for Andhra Pradesh to utilize its coastal resources.

The Chief Minister noted that Andhra Pradesh has already emerged as the country’s leading state in aquaculture, particularly in shrimp and fish farming and export. However, he emphasized the need for greater value addition in the sector to improve economic returns and strengthen global competitiveness.

At the same time, Mr. Naidu expressed concern over the environmental problems arising from aquaculture waste, saying that untreated discharges contribute to pollution and ecological degradation. He directed officials and experts to conduct a comprehensive study on sustainable solutions to address environmental issues while ensuring continued growth of the industry.

Emphasizing ecological protection, the Chief Minister said that the protection of marine biodiversity must go hand in hand with economic development. He also highlighted the growing importance of rare earth minerals found in coastal areas and marine ecosystems and called for strategic efforts to utilize these resources effectively.

Mr. Naidu further emphasized the need for coastal protection measures to protect vulnerable coastal areas from erosion and natural disasters like cyclones. He proposed the development of a three-layer system of natural protection along the coast, including mangrove forests and palm plantations, to strengthen resilience against extreme weather fluctuations.

The Chief Minister said that coastal regions should be developed as centers for eco-friendly tourism and sustainable economic activities while maintaining ecological balance. He also tasked officials to explore opportunities in seaweed farming, processing and marketing as part of the state’s seafood strategy.

Principal Secretary Agriculture B. Rajasekhar, Fisheries Commissioner Naik, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha Vice-President Vijay Kumar and representatives of marine biodiversity organizations including Philip from VOICE were present at the meeting.

Published – 25 May 2026 20:10 IST