NITI Aayog Publishes Report on India’s Blue Economy and Offshore Fisheries
NITI Aayog has unveiled a significant report titled “India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries,” aimed at optimizing the country’s vast marine resources. The report was launched by Prof. Ramesh Chand and Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam during a special event attended by key stakeholders from the fisheries sector and maritime states. With India being the second-largest fish producer globally, the report emphasizes the untapped potential of deep-sea fisheries, which could enhance seafood exports and create job opportunities while ensuring ecological sustainability.
India’s Fisheries Sector Overview
India stands as the world’s second-largest fish producer, contributing to 8% of global fish production. The fisheries sector plays a crucial role in supporting nearly 30 million livelihoods across the country. In the fiscal year 2023-24, fishery products generated an impressive revenue of ₹60,523 crore, highlighting the sector’s significance in the national economy. With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2 million square kilometers and a coastline of 11,098 kilometers across nine coastal states and four Union Territories, India possesses immense potential for expanding its marine fisheries into deep-sea territories. However, the report notes that the deep-sea fishery resources beyond the continental shelf remain largely underutilized, despite an estimated potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes.
Framework for Sustainable Development
The report outlines a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the deep-sea fishing sector within India’s EEZ and international waters accessed through regional fisheries agreements. It advocates for a science-based, technology-enabled, socially inclusive, and ecologically sustainable approach to harnessing the potential of deep-sea fisheries. Six key policy interventions are identified, focusing on overhauling existing policies, strengthening institutional capacities, modernizing fishing fleets, promoting sustainable fisheries management, mobilizing resources, and enhancing local community participation. Recognizing the capital-intensive nature of deep-sea fishing, the report emphasizes the importance of supporting fisher cooperatives and cluster-based approaches to enable collective ownership and access to modern technology.
Investment and Implementation Phases
The report provides an indicative costing framework divided into three phases to ensure effective implementation. Phase 1 focuses on laying the foundation and fostering early growth from 2025 to 2028. Phase 2 aims at scaling up operations and achieving global competitiveness from 2029 to 2032. Finally, Phase 3 envisions establishing global leadership in sustainable deep-sea fisheries from 2033 onwards. By outlining investment priorities and monitoring mechanisms, the report seeks to ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability in the sector. This structured approach aims to enhance governance, foster innovation, and increase stakeholder participation, ultimately positioning India as a global leader in sustainable deep-sea fisheries.
Workshop and Stakeholder Engagement
In conjunction with the report’s release, NITI Aayog hosted a workshop that brought together representatives from 18 institutions. The technical session focused on strategies for harnessing deep-sea fisheries and enhancing exports, featuring presentations from coastal states such as Goa, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. A panel discussion followed, addressing resource management through regulatory reforms, research, financing, and capacity building. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement in advancing the goals outlined in the report. For those interested, the full report is available online at NITI Aayog’s official website.
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