Context:
NITI Aayog has released a new strategy report titled “India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep‑Sea and Offshore Fisheries” focused on unlocking the under‑utilised potential of its marine fisheries beyond the nearshore waters. The study outlines a phased roadmap to modernise the sector, make it ecologically sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive.
Key highlights:
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- India is the second‑largest fish producer globally, supporting about 30 million livelihoods. In FY 2023‑24, fish and fishery products exports were ₹60,523 crore.
- India has a long coastline (11,098 km), 9 coastal states + 4 Union Territories, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 2 million sq. km.
- Yet deep‑sea and offshore fisheries (beyond coastal waters) remain largely untappedThere is an estimated potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes in deep‑sea and offshore fisheries (including both conventional and non‑conventional species).
- Currently, India has very few vessels registered for high seas fishing. For example, only 4 Indian‑flagged vessels are registered in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission region, while Sri Lanka and Iran have over a thousand each.
- India is the second‑largest fish producer globally, supporting about 30 million livelihoods. In FY 2023‑24, fish and fishery products exports were ₹60,523 crore.
Key Recommendations & Strategic Interventions:
The report proposes six major policy levers along with a 3‑phase implementation plan.
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Intervention |
Details |
|
Regulatory & Legal Reform |
Introduce a unified law for fisheries in the EEZ (12‑200 nautical miles), update vessel registration laws, define responsibilities of nodal bodies. |
|
Institutional Strengthening & Capacity Building |
Build scientific research capacity, real‑time data collection, mapping of fish stocks, vessel tracking and monitoring. |
|
Fleet Modernisation & Infrastructure Upgrade |
Incentives for better vessels (longer range, safety, cold storage), development of deep‑sea landing centres, connectivity. |
|
Sustainability & Ecosystem‑based Management |
Prevent overfishing, protect marine habitats, reduce by‑catch, use eco‑friendly fishing methods. |
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Finance & Resource Mobilisation |
Dedicated Deep‑Sea Fishing Development Fund, leveraging PPPs, soft loans, insurance cover, aligning central and state schemes. |
|
Community Participation & Inclusivity |
Involve coastal fishing communities, fisher cooperatives, cluster models for ownership, skill development for fishers. |
Challenges & Risks:
While the strategy is ambitious and promising, there are several challenges:
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- Regulatory gaps: Currently, laws are fragmented. India lacks specific legislation governing fishing beyond 12 nautical miles into EEZ.
- High costs & capital requirements: Deep‑sea fishing vessels, processing, cold chains, monitoring systems are expensive. Small fishers may not afford them.
- Environmental risks: Deep‑sea ecosystems are sensitive; risk of overfishing, by‑catch, habitat damage. Data for stock assessments is inadequate.
- Logistics & infrastructure deficits: Lack of deep‑sea landing centres, limited cold storage, limited capacity to berth large vessels.
- Governance & coordination: Need for coordination between central & state governments, between maritime, fisheries, environmental, and defence agencies.
- Regulatory gaps: Currently, laws are fragmented. India lacks specific legislation governing fishing beyond 12 nautical miles into EEZ.
Conclusion:
NITI Aayog’s report lays a well‑structured, phased roadmap to unlock India’s deep‑sea and offshore fisheries potential. If implemented well, it could trigger a transformative shift in India’s Blue Economy — increasing production, enhancing exports, supporting livelihoods, and preserving marine ecosystems.
