NITI Aayog report moots policy changes for fisheries sector

Targeted incentivisation can play a crucial role in promoting growth and sustainable development in India’s deep sea and offshore fishing industry, a report prepared by the NITI Aayog on ‘India’s Blue Economy: Strategy for Harnessing Deep-Sea and Offshore Fisheries’ has said. The report, released here on Monday by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, said all subsidies should be kept to a minimum, applied for a limited period, and phased out as soon as possible.

The report has identified six key policy interventions on overhauling policies and regulations; strengthening institutional and capacity building; modernising fleets and upgrading infrastructure; promoting sustainable fisheries management; mobilising resources and financing; and enhancing local community participation and partnerships. “Recognising the capital intensive nature of deep-sea fishing, the report also emphasises inclusive fleet development by supporting fisher cooperatives and cluster-based approaches, enabling collective ownership, operations, and access to modern technology. It also outlines investment priorities and monitoring mechanisms necessary to ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability,” a release by the NITI Aayog said.

“An indicative costing framework for the three phases has also been provided by considering the convergence of Centrally sponsored and Central sector schemes related to fisheries — Phase 1: Laying the foundation and fostering early growth (3 years| 2025-28); Phase 2: Scaling up and achieving global competitiveness (4 years | 2029-32) and Phase 3: Global leadership in sustainable deep-sea fisheries (8 years and beyond | 2033 onwards),” it added.

Building on the sector’s strong growth trajectory, the report offers a roadmap to strengthen governance, foster innovation, and enhance participation of stakeholders. “Through integrated interventions in policy reform, infrastructure development, sustainability, financing, and community empowerment, the initiative aims to make India a global leader in sustainable deep-sea fisheries, ensuring prosperity for coastal communities and contributing significantly to the Blue Economy vision of the nation,” the NITI Aayog said.