Marine Fisheries in India: Sustainability Debate

Why in News?

The Government of India, citing data from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), stated that 91.1% of the 135 assessed marine fish stocks were sustainable in 2022. However, this claim has been questioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and marine experts, who argue that Indian marine fisheries have plateaued due to overfishing, ecological degradation, and governance gaps.

Status of Marine Fisheries in India

India possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 2.37 million sq. km, extending 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its coastline, making it one of the world's major marine fishing nations. Marine fisheries support millions of coastal livelihoods, contribute significantly to food security, and are an important source of export earnings.

Despite official claims of sustainability, fish catches in many coastal regions have stagnated, several commercially important species have declined, and traditional fishing communities increasingly report lower catches and shrinking fish diversity.

Major Concerns with the Official Sustainability Claims

Reliance on Landing Data Instead of Scientific Stock Assessment

The CMFRI primarily estimates fish stock health using landing data, which measures the quantity of fish brought ashore by fishermen.

However, most advanced fishing nations conduct scientific stock assessments at sea, using surveys, acoustic monitoring, and ecosystem modelling to estimate actual fish populations.

Decline of Inshore Marine Ecosystems

India's continental shelf, where marine productivity is highest, is relatively narrow along most of the coastline, except in Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra.

These shallow coastal waters serve as important breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds for commercially valuable species such as shrimp and marine fish. However, the construction of dams, destruction of mangroves, coastal pollution, and habitat degradation have significantly reduced the ecological productivity of these areas.

Expansion of Mechanised Bottom Trawling

The introduction of mechanised trawlers during the 1960s transformed India's fishing sector but also accelerated marine ecosystem degradation.

Bottom trawlers drag heavy nets across the seabed, destroying coral habitats, seagrass beds, benthic organisms, and juvenile fish populations. Continuous trawling has reduced biodiversity and affected the long-term sustainability of fisheries, particularly in nearshore waters.

Governance Challenges

The 5-nautical-mile no-trawling zone, intended to protect traditional fishers and coastal ecosystems, is poorly enforced due to inadequate patrol vessels, limited manpower, and weak monitoring mechanisms.

Traditional fishing communities remain largely excluded from co-management arrangements, reducing local participation in conservation and compliance. Consequently, both mechanised and artisanal fishers are increasingly competing in already stressed offshore fishing grounds.

Government Initiatives for Sustainable Marine Fisheries

Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs)

Since fisheries are a State Subject under the Constitution, every coastal State and Union Territory has enacted its own Marine Fishing Regulation Act (MFRA) to regulate fishing practices, licensing, and conservation measures within territorial waters.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

The PMMSY aims to promote the sustainable development of India's fisheries sector while improving the livelihoods of fishers.

The scheme encourages mariculture, seaweed cultivation, and open-sea cage farming, thereby reducing pressure on nearshore fisheries. It also includes the development of 100 Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs) to strengthen coastal resilience.

National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017

The policy provides a comprehensive framework for responsible, inclusive, and sustainable marine fisheries management, balancing conservation with livelihood security.

Regulation of Fishing Practices

The Government has prohibited paired bottom trawling (bull trawling) and the use of LED lights for fishing within India's EEZ to reduce ecological damage.

It has also advised States to make the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) mandatory in trawl nets to minimise accidental capture of endangered marine turtles.

Annual Uniform Fishing Ban

To facilitate fish breeding and ensure fisher safety during the monsoon season, India imposes a 61-day annual fishing ban in the EEZ.

• East Coast: 15 April – 14 June

• West Coast: 1 June – 31 July

This seasonal closure allows fish populations to regenerate naturally.

Role of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), in collaboration with research institutions and State Fisheries Departments, undertakes awareness programmes, capacity building, and scientific research to promote sustainable fisheries management.

Way Forward

• India needs to adopt scientific stock assessment methods based on ecosystem surveys rather than relying predominantly on landing data.

• Greater investment is required in satellite monitoring, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and stronger coastal surveillance to effectively regulate fishing activities.

• Mechanised trawling must be better regulated, while strict enforcement of the 5-nautical-mile no-trawling zone should protect traditional fishing communities and coastal biodiversity.

• Conservation efforts should prioritise mangrove restoration, pollution control, environmental flows in rivers, and protection of nursery habitats, which are essential for healthy marine ecosystems.