FISHERIES

 

  • Fishing is one of the oldest occupations of man and has assumed much importance in view of the rapidly increasing population and depleting land resources
  • It is an important part of diet to people in coastal areas
  • The fish catch in India is of two types
    • Sea or marine fisheries: it includes off-shore and deep sea fisheries mainly on continental shelf up to a depth of 200m
    • Inland or fresh water fisheries: these are from rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs, ponds, tanks, etc. These also include the ones obtained from estuaries, delta channels, back-waters, lagoons and coastal lakes
  • Fisheries in India
    • India is third largest producer of fish and second largest producer of inland fish in the world
    • The sector provides employment to over 14 million people engaged fully, partially or in subsidiary activities
    • The fish production in India has registered an average annual growth of 7.53% from 2014-15 to 2018-19
    • India is one of the largest fish producing countries in the world and shares 7.58% to the global production.
    • The sector contributes 1.24% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and 7.28% (2018-19) to the agricultural GVA
    • The export of marine products stood at 13.93 lakh metric tons and valued at Rs 46,589 crores (USD 6.73 billion) during 2018-19 with an impressive average annual growth rate of about 10% in recent years.

 

  • Marine Fisheries
    • India’s coastline and its continental shelf spread, are suitable for marine fisheries
    • It is estimated that about 75% of the marine fish landings are on the west coast, and 25% is contributed by east coast
    • Mackarel accounts for about one-third of the total catch
    • Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Gujarat are main producers of marine fish in India
    • Only 10-12% of India’s offshore and deep sea fish potential, have been harvested yet
    • Despite such large abundance of resources, only a small potential of the sector has been explored yet, because of following reasons:
      • India has tropical climate in which fish cannot be preserved for a long time and spoils very quickly. Heavy expenses on refrigeration and deep freezing, increases market price of the fish
      • Indian coast does not have as many gulfs, bays, estuaries and backwater as is the case with other countries like Norway. As such, we lack rich fishing grounds
      • Marine fishing is seasonal in nature; as strong winds during the monsoon season accompanied by tropical cyclones hinder fishing operations
      • About 60% of the fisherman use non-mechanized boat; which hinders their potential to venture to deep seas
      • Lack of post-processing, canning, transport and organized markets are other impediments

  • Fresh water or Inland fisheries
    • India’s inland fisheries are one of the richest in the world
    • Rivers, irrigation canals, reservoirs, lakes, tanks, ponds, delta channels, back waters, lagoons, estuaries provide foundation for inland fisheries
    • India’s riverine fishery resources comprise the river systems of Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Mahanadi, Narmada, Tapi, Godavari and Krishna
    • About three-fourths of the country’s inland fish are caught from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra

  • Other concerns with respect to Fisheries
    • There have been constant clashes between Indian fishermen and the navies of Pakistan & Srilanka
      • Skirmishes with the Sri Lankan navy often result in casualties and damage of boats.
    • There has been an increase in the number of Chinese deep-sea fishing trawlers in the Southern Indian Ocean which has caused concerns in India
  • Measures taken to improve the fisheries sector
    • National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017′ (NPMF)
      • This provides guidance for promoting ‘Blue Growth Initiative’ which focus on ushering ‘Blue Revolution’ (NeeliKranti) by sustainable utilization of fisheries wealth from the marine and other aquatic resources of the country for improving the lives and livelihoods of fishermen and their families
    • Blue revolution
      • The restructured Plan Scheme on Blue Revolution – Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries has been approved at a total central outlay of Rs 3000 crore for implementation during a period of five years (2015-16 to 2019-20), with objective to
        • increase the overall fish production in a responsible and sustainable manner for economic prosperity
        • To modernize the fisheries with special focus on new technologies
        • To ensure food and nutritional security
        • To generate employment and export earnings
        • To ensure inclusive development and empower fishers and aquaculture farmers
      • The Blue Revolution scheme has the following components:
        • National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities
        • Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
        • Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations
        • Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector
        • Institutional Arrangement for Fisheries Sector
        • Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions
        • National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen
      • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY)
        • Approved in 2020, this is a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India
      • Other measures in this perspective include
        • Fisheries development in reservoirs
        • Infrastructure Development for Harbours and Landing Centres
        • Intensive Aquaculture in Ponds and Tanks
        • Setting up of Fishery survey of India, for survey and assessment of marine fisheries in the Indian Exclusive economic zone
        • Setting up of National fisheries development board for increasing fish production
        • Setting up of Central Institute of fisheries Nautical and engineering training(CIFNET) for organising suitable fisheries training system at national level

This sector has untapped potential to contribute to the 5 trillion GDP target of India. Hence, the need of more innovation, scientific fishing, post-processing & marketing relating measures to improve fisheries sector in India

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