NITI Aayog Charts Long-Term Strategy to Unlock India’s Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries Potential

In a significant step towards advancing India’s Blue Economy vision, NITI Aayog has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at harnessing the nation’s vast deep-sea and offshore fisheries potential. The report — “India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries” — presents a detailed roadmap for sustainable, technology-driven, and inclusive utilization of India’s marine resources.

The blueprint seeks to balance economic opportunity with ecological responsibility, focusing on strengthening coastal livelihoods, enhancing seafood exports, and positioning India as a global leader in sustainable ocean management.

The report was formally released by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member (Agriculture), and B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, at a national event attended by senior government officials, industry experts, maritime researchers, and representatives from coastal states and fisher organizations. Dr. Neelam Patel, Programme Director (Agriculture Technology Division), NITI Aayog, presented a detailed overview of the strategy.

India’s Expanding Blue Economy Footprint

India is already a formidable player in global fisheries. As the second-largest fish-producing nation, it contributes nearly 8% of global fish output, supporting about 30 million livelihoods directly and indirectly. In FY 2023–24 alone, fish and seafood exports generated ₹60,523 crore in foreign exchange earnings.

Yet, the country’s deep-sea and offshore potential remains largely untapped. With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2 million sq. km, a coastline of 11,098 km, and access to deep waters beyond the continental shelf, India’s marine geography presents vast unexplored opportunities.

According to estimates, India’s EEZ holds a potential yield of 7.16 million tonnes of fish — encompassing both conventional and non-conventional species. However, much of this potential lies beyond the reach of current fishing practices, which remain concentrated in nearshore waters.

A Science-Based Blueprint for Sustainable Deep-Sea Growth

The NITI Aayog strategy positions deep-sea and offshore fisheries as the next growth frontier in India’s Blue Economy. It outlines a science-based, technology-enabled, and socially inclusive framework to ensure responsible resource utilization while minimizing environmental impact.

At the heart of the strategy lie six key policy interventions, each aimed at building institutional strength, attracting investment, and driving innovation across the marine value chain:

1. Policy and Regulatory Reforms – Modernizing fisheries laws and aligning India’s frameworks with international best practices.

2. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building – Enhancing scientific expertise and training for human resource development.

3. Fleet Modernization and Infrastructure Upgrades – Investing in advanced vessels, safety systems, and marine logistics.

4. Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management – Promoting conservation-oriented, science-backed fishing practices.

5. Resource Mobilization and Financing – Encouraging private investment through blue financing and PPP models.

6. Community Participation and Inclusion – Ensuring fisher cooperatives and local clusters play a central role in deep-sea operations.

Deep-sea fishing is inherently capital-intensive, requiring advanced vessels, onboard technology, and long-haul logistics. To ensure equitable access, NITI Aayog has proposed an inclusive fleet development model, encouraging cluster-based ownership and fisher cooperatives to collectively invest in and operate modern fishing assets.

The report also highlights the role of public–private partnerships (PPPs) and the convergence of central schemes to create a cohesive investment environment. Innovative blue financing instruments, such as sustainability-linked loans and impact funds, are expected to support long-term capital infusion in this emerging sector.

Three-Phase Implementation Roadmap

The strategy lays out a phased, decade-long roadmap to guide the sector’s transformation:

• Phase I (2025–2028): Establish foundational policies, institutional frameworks, and pilot programs for fleet modernization.

• Phase II (2029–2032): Scale up operations, strengthen export competitiveness, and deepen international partnerships.

• Phase III (2033 onwards): Position India as a global leader in sustainable deep-sea fisheries and ocean governance.

Each phase includes investment priorities, capacity-building milestones, and monitoring mechanisms to track ecological and economic sustainability.

Governance, Innovation, and Technology Integration

Anchored in India’s larger Blue Economy framework, the deep-sea fisheries strategy emphasizes governance reforms, innovation, and digital integration as central enablers.

The roadmap envisions the use of AI-enabled monitoring, digital ocean mapping tools, and smart vessel systems to ensure traceability, transparency, and compliance across the fisheries value chain. These technologies will not only improve productivity but also help India meet global sustainability and certification standards — key to accessing high-value export markets.

The report further calls for the creation of data-driven management systems, stronger research–industry linkages, and international cooperation through regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) to share best practices and resources.

The strategy’s launch was followed by a national workshop that brought together 18 key institutions in the fisheries and maritime sectors.

A dedicated session titled “Strategy of States and Way Forward towards Harnessing Deep-Sea Fisheries and Export” featured presentations from Goa, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, each outlining regional plans for sustainable resource use and export diversification.

Experts participating in a panel discussion on “Advancing Resource Management through Regulatory Reforms, Research, Financing, and Capacity Building” underscored the importance of Centre–State coordination, industry engagement, and global knowledge exchange in realizing the full potential of India’s deep-sea ecosystem.

Towards a Sustainable Blue Future

The report makes a compelling case for sustainable deep-sea development — one that integrates ecological stewardship with economic growth. By emphasizing community-led development, equitable value chains, and environmentally conscious practices, NITI Aayog’s vision aligns with the Government of India’s broader Blue Economy Mission.

“The Blue Economy represents India’s next frontier for sustainable growth,” the report notes. “Harnessing deep-sea and offshore fisheries responsibly will ensure food security, economic prosperity, and ecological balance for generations to come.”