India’s Marine Fisheries: Sustainability, Emerging Challenges and the Way Forward

Recent Developments:

• The Government of India, based on the latest assessment by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), reported that 91.1% of the 135 assessed marine fish stocks remain in sustainable condition.
• At the same time, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has cautioned that India's marine fisheries face growing ecological pressures, including stagnant marine fish production, fully exploited fish stocks, declining catches, degradation of coastal ecosystems and increasing pressure from mechanised trawling.
• The debate highlights the need to balance marine resource conservation, livelihood security and the Blue Economy objectives through scientific fisheries governance.

India’s Fisheries Sector:

Present Status:

• India possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 2.4 million sq. km, extending up to 200 nautical miles, making it one of the world's major maritime resource zones.
• The continental shelf and inshore waters constitute the country's most productive marine fishing grounds due to high biological productivity.
• According to the latest CMFRI assessment, 91.1% of assessed marine fish stocks were found to be sustainable during 2022, with most commercially important species remaining in healthy condition.
• Unlike many developed fishing nations that conduct scientific stock assessments at sea, India primarily estimates fish stock status through landing (catch) data, which may not always reflect the actual abundance of fish populations.
• Fisheries contribute around 7.43% of Agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), while total fish production increased to 197.75 lakh tonnes during FY 2024–25.
• India's seafood exports reached ₹62,408 crore during FY 2024–25, with frozen shrimp accounting for the largest share and the United States and China remaining the principal export destinations.
• The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated a record ₹2,761 crore to the fisheries sector, including ₹2,500 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and enhanced Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limits of ₹5 lakh have expanded institutional credit and fisheries infrastructure.
• India operates more than 64,000 mechanised fishing vessels, alongside a large fleet of traditional and artisanal fishing boats, reflecting increasing mechanisation.
• Adoption of Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Bio-floc Technology is improving resource efficiency, reducing water consumption and promoting sustainable aquaculture.
• The National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) provides digital identity and integrated service delivery to more than 30 lakh fisheries stakeholders.
• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) promotes formalisation, traceability and value-chain development across the fisheries sector.
• The Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ and High Seas, 2025 strengthen sustainable utilisation of marine fisheries resources in India's Exclusive Economic Zone beyond territorial waters.

Importance of Fisheries Sector:

Economic and Strategic Significance:

• Fisheries provide livelihood opportunities to millions of coastal and inland households while contributing significantly to food security and nutritional security.
• The sector supports export earnings, employment generation, coastal economic development and the growth of the Blue Economy.
• Fisheries contribute to balanced regional development, especially in coastal States and island territories.
• Sustainable fisheries also strengthen marine resource conservation and support India's commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).

Major Challenges Facing India's Marine Fisheries:

Scientific and Ecological Challenges:

• Heavy dependence on landing-data-based assessments instead of comprehensive marine stock surveys creates uncertainty regarding the actual health of fish populations.
• Coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, estuaries, seagrass beds and benthic habitats, are experiencing degradation due to pollution, habitat destruction and altered river flows.
• Excessive mechanised bottom trawling repeatedly disturbs seabed ecosystems, reduces biodiversity and damages fish breeding habitats.
• Climate change, ocean warming, marine heatwaves, ocean acidification and changing fish migration patterns are creating new uncertainties for marine fisheries. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has observed increasing climate-driven variability in marine ecosystems affecting fisheries productivity.

Governance and Livelihood Challenges:

• Weak enforcement of seasonal fishing bans, coastal zoning regulations and gear restrictions reduces the effectiveness of fisheries management.
• Rapid expansion of mechanised fishing has created overcapacity, increasing competition over declining fish resources.
• Small-scale and traditional fishers face livelihood insecurity because of unequal access to marine resources and growing conflicts with mechanised vessels.
• Deep-sea fishing promotion alone may not substantially increase fish production while requiring significantly higher investment in fuel, technology and infrastructure.
• Post-harvest losses remain substantial because of inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, processing facilities and market linkages.

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Fisheries:

Major Measures:

• The National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017) places sustainability, ecosystem conservation and responsible fishing practices at the centre of marine fisheries management.
• A 61-day uniform fishing ban during the southwest monsoon allows fish populations to breed and replenish naturally.
• Prohibition of pair trawling, bull trawling and artificial LED-light fishing reduces destructive fishing practices.
• Promotion of sea ranching, artificial reefs, mariculture and seaweed cultivation diversifies coastal livelihoods while reducing pressure on capture fisheries.
• Coastal States and Union Territories regulate mesh size, engine power, minimum legal size of fish and zonal fishing restrictions to promote sustainable harvesting.
• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, launched in 2020, aims to achieve a Blue Revolution through infrastructure development, productivity enhancement, post-harvest management, exports and fisheries governance. It also aligns with the vision of the Blue Economy and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• India is implementing the Fishery Survey of India’s resource assessment programmes and expanding Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories through Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, enabling fuel-efficient and sustainable fishing operations.

Way Forward:

Priority Reforms:

• Strengthen governance of territorial waters and nearshore fishing zones through vessel monitoring systems, coastal surveillance, community participation and stricter enforcement.
• Expand scientific stock assessments using underwater surveys, ecosystem monitoring and benthic habitat assessment in addition to landing statistics.
• Strictly regulate mechanised bottom trawling through improved zoning, seasonal closures and effective monitoring.
• Promote Aquaponics, integrating aquaculture with hydroponics, to improve water-use efficiency and diversify farmers' income.
• Strengthen cold-chain infrastructure, fish landing centres, refrigerated transport, processing units and export logistics to minimise post-harvest losses.
• Promote value addition through fish processing, branding, ready-to-eat products, fish oil, nutraceuticals, collagen products and export diversification.
• Encourage co-management, involving fishing communities, cooperatives, scientific institutions and State governments in fisheries governance for better compliance and sustainable resource use.
• Align fisheries development with the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization, ensuring conservation of marine biodiversity alongside sustainable livelihoods.
• Promote Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for balancing fisheries, conservation, shipping, tourism and offshore economic activities within India's marine space.

Conclusion:

Towards Sustainable Marine Fisheries:

• India's fisheries sector must simultaneously promote economic growth, food security and ecological sustainability through science-based governance.
• Long-term sustainability will depend upon restoring coastal ecosystems, improving scientific resource assessment, regulating destructive fishing practices and ensuring meaningful participation of traditional fishing communities.
• A balanced fisheries policy integrating conservation, technology, institutional reforms and livelihood security will strengthen India's position as a resilient and globally competitive maritime nation