NITI Aayog released a comprehensive report titled “India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries.” The report was formally launched by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member (Agriculture), and B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, during a special event attended by representatives from the fisheries sector, maritime states, and other stakeholder organizations. Dr. Neelam Patel, Programme Director (Agriculture Technology Division), delivered a detailed presentation outlining the report’s key findings and recommendations.
India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing country, contributing 8% to global fish production. The fisheries sector supports nearly 30 million livelihoods and plays a significant role in exports, with fishery products generating ₹60,523 crore in FY 2023–24. With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2 million square kilometers, deep waters beyond the continental shelf, and an 11,098 km coastline across nine coastal states and four Union Territories, India has vast potential to expand its marine fisheries into deep-sea areas. However, despite this potential, deep-sea fishery resources beyond the continental shelf remain largely untapped. The EEZ has an estimated potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes, encompassing both conventional and non-conventional resources.
The report highlights that the responsible utilization of deep-sea and offshore fisheries could significantly boost seafood exports, create employment opportunities, and alleviate pressure on coastal fisheries, all while ensuring ecological sustainability. It presents a comprehensive framework for developing the deep-sea fishing sector within India’s EEZ and in international waters accessed through regional fisheries agreements. This framework is grounded in a science-based, technology-enabled, socially inclusive, and ecologically sustainable approach to harnessing India’s deep-sea fisheries potential.
Six key policy interventions are recommended in the report: overhauling policies and regulations; strengthening institutional capacity and human resources; modernizing fishing fleets and upgrading infrastructure; promoting sustainable fisheries management; mobilizing resources and financing; and enhancing local community participation and partnerships. Given the capital-intensive nature of deep-sea fishing, the report stresses inclusive fleet development through fisher cooperatives and cluster-based approaches, promoting collective ownership, operations, and access to modern technology. Additionally, the report outlines investment priorities and monitoring mechanisms essential for ensuring long-term ecological and economic sustainability.
An indicative costing framework is proposed across three phases: Phase 1 (2025–28) focuses on laying the foundation and fostering early growth; Phase 2 (2029–32) aims at scaling up and achieving global competitiveness; and Phase 3 (2033 onwards) envisions India attaining global leadership in sustainable deep-sea fisheries. These phases consider the convergence of centrally sponsored and central sector schemes related to fisheries.
Building on the sector’s strong growth, the report offers a strategic roadmap to strengthen governance, foster innovation, and increase stakeholder participation. Through integrated policy reforms, infrastructure development, sustainable practices, financing, and community empowerment, the initiative aspires to position India as a global leader in sustainable deep-sea fisheries, ensuring prosperity for coastal communities and contributing to the nation’s Blue Economy vision.
In conjunction with the report launch, NITI Aayog organized a workshop attended by 18 institutions. The technical session titled “Strategy of States and Way Forward towards Harnessing Deep-Sea Fisheries and Export” featured presentations from coastal states including Goa, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. The event concluded with a panel discussion on “Advancing Resource Management through Regulatory Reforms, Research, Financing and Capacity Building,” featuring distinguished experts.
