Syllabus: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Context: NITI Aayog released a report on “India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries” that outlines a scientific, sustainable, and inclusive roadmap for developing India’s deep-sea and offshore fisheries.
Current Status:
- India’s deep-sea fishing sector remains underdeveloped, with a potential of 7.16 million tonnes (MT) within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- India has only 4 vessels operating in the high seas, compared to 1,883 (Sri Lanka) and 1,216 (Iran).
- There is a regulatory void, with no specific law for fishing between 12–200 nautical miles, leading to IUU fishing.
Opportunities and Potential:
- Deep-sea fishing could significantly increase exports beyond ₹60,523 crore (FY 2023-24).
- Modern vessels can yield ₹32 lakh annually, 10 times more than traditional fishing boats.
- Offshore fishing will reduce pressure on inshore fish stocks, promoting sustainability.
- Untapped resources like lanternfish, squids, and deep-sea shrimp offer new economic avenues.
- A robust offshore fleet strengthens food security and India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean.
Challenges:
- Policy gaps: Lack of a unified EEZ Fisheries Act and poor coordination among maritime, environmental, and defense agencies.
- Infrastructure deficit: Few harbors can accommodate large vessels, and absence of cold storage and processing units hinders export potential.
- High costs: Deep-sea fishing requires high fuel, capital, and maintenance costs, making it unaffordable for small fishers.
- Data deficiencies: Lack of a central database for fish stock, species mapping, and catch trends affects planning and increases overfishing risks.
- Environmental risks: Practices like bottom trawling, bycatch, and marine pollution endanger deep-sea ecosystems.
Global Best Practices:
- China: Operates large distant-water fleets, but risks overfishing.
- Spain: Uses Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and eco-friendly gear for sustainable fishing.
- New Zealand: Implements a Quota Management System (QMS) to balance economic goals and ecological sustainability.
NITI Aayog’s Recommendations:
- Policy overhaul: Introduce a unified EEZ Fisheries Act aligned with UNCLOS and revise subsidies to promote sustainable fishing practices.
- Institutional strengthening: Establish a Deep-Sea Fisheries Authority, invest in research, data systems, and scientific manpower.
- Fleet modernization: Incentivize modern vessels with GPS and cold storage to increase efficiency and safety.
- Sustainable management: Adopt ecosystem-based catch limits, enforce marine spatial planning, and enable real-time vessel tracking.
- Financing mechanism: Establish a Deep-Sea Fishing Development Fund through public-private partnerships (PPP), soft loans, and insurance.
- Stakeholder inclusion: Empower fishing communities in governance, ensure capacity-building, and include small-scale fishers in policy benefits.
Conclusion:
- The report envisions a Blue Revolution 2.0, which integrates economic growth with ecological balance, aiming to make India’s deep-sea sector more resilient, regulated, and sustainable.
- This transformation can boost exports, secure livelihoods, and strengthen India’s maritime footprint.
Q- “The Blue Economy offers a sustainable model for harnessing the potential of oceans while conserving marine biodiversity.” Discuss the significance of the Blue Economy for India, focusing on its potential to address economic growth and environmental sustainability. (15 Marks/ 250 Words)