Blue economy: Niti Aayog urges expansion and modernisation of India's fishing fleet; calls for better market access

Niti Aayog on Monday called for rapid expansion and modernisation of India’s fishing fleet, along with enhanced market access , as part of a broader push to promote the country’s blue economy .



The think-tank also emphasised scaling up operations and strengthening monitoring and surveillance mechanisms across the sector, PTI reported.



In its report titled India’s Blue Economy, Niti Aayog highlighted the need for capacity building and research in fisheries. The report stressed that choice of fishing technique should be carefully aligned with the target species, vessel capabilities, and regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable fishing practices.



To further boost fish exports , the report called for establishing a robust framework and addressing critical infrastructure gaps.



India has a vast maritime area, with a coastline of over 11,098 km spanning nine coastal states and four union territories. The country has a long tradition of marine fishing, focusing mainly on coastal and inshore resources.



The fisheries sector contributes significantly to the national economy. Export earnings from fish and fishery products reached Rs 60,523 crore in 2023-24, a 100 per cent rise compared to Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14.



The deep waters beyond the continental shelf, extending past the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary of 200 nautical miles, hold select high-value fish stocks, including tuna, billfish, and shrimp species. The EEZ potential is estimated at 7.16 million tonnes, covering both conventional and non-conventional resources.



However, as of 2023, only four Indian-flagged vessels owned by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) are available for high-seas fishing. This is far lower than other Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) member countries, with Sri Lanka operating 1,883 vessels and Iran 1,216 vessels in the same region, the report noted.