With an aim to improve the fish wealth in the state, introducing modern techniques in fishing, enhancing the income of fishermen and also to encourage fisheries education, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Selvi. J. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday, 13th September, 2011 announced a separate university for the development of fisheries would be set up at Nagapattinam district in Panangudi and Nagore villages in an area of 85 acres at an estimated cost of 30 crore. In the State Assembly, the Honourable Chief Minister said that in the first phase,Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi, Fisheries Institute of Technology, Chennai, Research Wing of the Fisheries Department and Training Institute for Fisheries Employees, Chennai, would be merged with the University. The new university would offer degrees and diplomas in shrimp breeding, mullet breeding, ornamental fish breeding, fish processing and manufacturing value-added fish products, maintenance of fishing boats and equipment and deep sea fishing. The university would play a significant role in upgrading the exchange of technologies in fisheries science, human resource development and usage of fisheries. Training in this university would provide opportunities for the students to get jobs within the country and abroad.

In addition, a Fisheries Institute of Technology will come up in Ponneri at a cost of Rs. 34 crore . For the first phase of work, Rs. 7.00 crore would be allocated during the current year. The Institute would provide vocational education to people of the region, especially to fisherfolk, with a focus on technologies related to fish and fish processing. It would offer diploma and certificate courses to students on boat engine repairs and maintenance, fish processing and prawn culture technology. This institute would be attached to the proposed Fisheries University, would soon start offering courses from a temporary building.