New Delhi, Oct 13 (NationPress) India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boasts an estimated potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes of deep-sea fishery resources that remain significantly underutilized, as stated in a recent report by NITI Aayog titled 'India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries' released on Monday.

The report underscores that the responsible use of deep-sea and offshore fisheries can boost seafood exports, create job opportunities, and alleviate pressure on coastal fisheries, while promoting ecological sustainability.

India’s EEZ extends over 2 million sq. km of deep waters beyond the continental shelf, coupled with a coastline of 11,098 km across nine coastal states and four Union Territories, presenting vast opportunities to expand marine fisheries into deeper waters.

This comprehensive framework details the deep-sea fishing sector within the EEZ and international waters, accessed via regional fisheries agreements. It adopts a science-oriented, technology-driven, socially inclusive, and ecologically sustainable strategy to tap into India’s deep-sea fisheries potential.

The report outlines six essential policy interventions aimed at revitalizing regulations; enhancing institutional capacity; modernizing fleets and infrastructure; promoting sustainable fisheries management; mobilizing resources and finances; and boosting local community engagement and partnerships.

Given the capital-intensive nature of deep-sea fishing, the report emphasizes inclusive fleet development by backing fisher cooperatives and cluster-based approaches, facilitating collective ownership, operations, and access to advanced technology. Additionally, it presents investment priorities and monitoring mechanisms necessary for long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

An indicative costing framework for three phases is also included in the report, considering the convergence of Centrally sponsored and Central sector schemes related to fisheries—Phase 1: Foundation and initial growth (3 years| 2025-28); Phase 2: Scaling up for global competitiveness (4 years| 2029-32); and Phase 3: Achieving global leadership in sustainable deep-sea fisheries (8 years and beyond | 2033 onwards).

With the sector's robust growth trajectory, this roadmap aims to strengthen governance, foster innovation, and enhance stakeholder participation. Through integrated interventions in policy reform, infrastructure development, sustainability, 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 significantly contributing to the nation's Blue Economy vision.

Alongside the report's release, NITI Aayog hosted a workshop attended by 18 institutions. The technical session on '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. This was followed by a panel discussion on 'Advancing Resource Management through Regulatory Reforms, Research, Financing, and Capacity Building' featuring distinguished panellists.

India stands as the second-largest fish-producing nation globally, contributing 8 percent to global production. The fisheries sector supports nearly 30 million livelihoods and significantly impacts exports, with fishery products generating Rs 60,523 crore in FY 2023–24.