India’s Blue Economy

15.10.2025

1. India’s Blue Economy

Context

In October 2025, NITI Aayog released the report “India’s Blue Economy – Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries”, outlining a roadmap to sustainably expand marine resources through advanced technology and globally competitive practices.

About the Report
India’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with a potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes, remains underutilised. Few Indian-flagged vessels operate in deep waters, hindered by the absence of an EEZ Fisheries Act, weak institutional coordination, and limited port and vessel infrastructure. These constraints have slowed the sector’s growth and monitoring capabilities.

Economic and Strategic Potential

• Export Growth:
   Developing deep-sea fisheries can boost annual marine exports beyond ₹60,000 crore, enhancing India’s global seafood share.
• Livelihood Opportunities:
   Modernised vessels can earn up to ₹30 lakh annually—ten times traditional coastal income—generating jobs and boosting coastal livelihoods.
• Ecological Balance:
   Offshore fishing eases pressure on coastal ecosystems, helping fish stocks recover and ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Resource Diversification:
   Untapped species like lanternfish, squid, and deep-sea shrimp offer new opportunities for value-added processing and export diversification.
• Maritime Strength:
   A strong offshore fleet bolsters food security and India’s maritime influence under the SAGAR vision in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Challenges

• Policy and Legal Gaps:
   Overlapping mandates and the lack of a unified EEZ fisheries law create inefficiencies and regulatory ambiguity.
• Infrastructure Shortfall:
   Only a few of India’s 90 fishing harbours can handle modern vessels; weak cold-chain and processing facilities lower export value.
• High Costs:
   Deep-sea fishing demands heavy investment in vessels and fuel, deterring small-scale fishers without institutional support.
• Limited Research:
   Insufficient surveys and data restrict stock assessments and evidence-based policymaking.
• Environmental Risks:
   Unsustainable practices like bottom trawling threaten biodiversity, highlighting the need for stronger oversight.

Way Forward

• Policy Reform:
   Enact an EEZ Fisheries Act to clarify licensing, jurisdiction, and monitoring across agencies.
• Infrastructure Upgrade:
   Modernise harbours, expand cold-chain capacity, and promote private investment in processing and exports.
• Capacity Building:
   Train and support coastal fishers with financial and technological assistance for safe offshore operations.
• Sustainability Practices:
   Introduce selective gear, strict environmental norms, and AI-based monitoring systems.
• Institutional Integration:
   Create a national coordination authority linking NITI Aayog, the Fisheries Ministry, and state governments.

Conclusion

India’s deep-sea fisheries strategy marks a turning point in advancing a sustainable Blue Economy. With reforms in policy, technology, and governance, the nation can transform its fisheries sector into a globally competitive, environmentally responsible, and livelihood-enhancing enterprise.