[Answered] Examine the factors driving the ecological degradation of India’s inshore fishing grounds. Evaluate the governance reforms needed for sustainable marine fisheries management.

Introduction

Despite CMFRI claiming 91% sustainable stocks (2022), inshore degradation persists due to overcapacity and trawling on narrow shelves. Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights blue economy potential; Budget 2026-27 boosts PMMSY. NITI Aayog stresses ecosystem-based management amid FAO concerns.          

Factors Driving Ecological Degradation of Inshore Fishing Grounds

1. Unsustainable Mechanised Bottom Trawling: Over 64,000 mechanised vessels intensively exploit India’s narrow continental shelf. Bottom trawling destroys benthic habitats, damages coral ecosystems and captures juvenile fish through fine-mesh nets. Results in biodiversity loss and declining fish recruitment. Example: Palk Bay.
2. Excessive Fishing Capacity: Open-access fisheries have created severe fleet overcapacity, particularly of small and medium trawlers. Intense competition depletes nearshore resources and marginalises artisanal fishers. FAO notes most major marine stocks are already fully exploited. Example: Tamil Nadu coast.
3. Coastal Habitat Destruction: Loss of mangroves, estuaries, seagrass beds and coral reefs eliminates breeding and nursery grounds. Port expansion, coastal infrastructure and reclamation accelerate degradation. Example: Mangrove loss.
4. Land-Based Pollution: Untreated sewage, industrial discharge, fertilizer runoff and microplastics reduce dissolved oxygen. Eutrophication triggers fish mortality and habitat degradation. Example: Coastal dead zones.
5. Climate Change Impacts: Ocean warming, acidification and cyclones alter fish migration and spawning cycles. Coastal erosion threatens fishing settlements. Example: Arabian Sea warming.
6. River Regulation: Dams reduce nutrient-rich freshwater inflows essential for productive coastal ecosystems. Estuarine fisheries suffer declining productivity. Example: East coast deltas.
7. Geopolitical Pressure: Resource depletion pushes Indian mechanised vessels into neighbouring waters. Generates recurring conflicts with Sri Lanka and maritime security concerns. Example: Palk Strait.

Governance Gaps

1. Institutional Fragmentation: Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs) differ across States and weak Centre-State coordination.
2. Poor Enforcement: Inadequate patrol vessels, manpower and surveillance enable illegal inshore trawling. Seasonal fishing bans alone cannot restore ecosystems.
3. Weak Community Participation: Traditional fishing communities remain excluded from decision-making and top-down regulation lacks local legitimacy.
4. Science Deficit: Fisheries assessments rely largely on landing data rather than ecosystem-based stock assessments. Limited monitoring of benthic ecosystem health.

Governance Reforms for Sustainable Fisheries

1. Phase-out Destructive Bottom Trawling: Introduce PMMSY-supported buyback and conversion of trawlers into deep-sea longliners. Ban fine-mesh nets in ecologically sensitive zones. Example: Gear transition.
2. Promote Deep-Sea Fishing: Shift fishing pressure towards offshore EEZ resources using modern vessels. Align with NITI Aayog’s Blue Economy Strategy. Example: Andaman EEZ.
3. Community-Based Co-management: Legally empower fisher cooperatives and traditional fishing panchayats. Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURFs) for shared stewardship. Example: Japan model.
4. Technology-Driven Monitoring: Mandatory Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), AIS, satellite surveillance and drones. AI-enabled catch reporting for real-time compliance. Example: Digital fisheries.
5. Restore Coastal Ecosystems: Large-scale mangrove restoration, artificial reefs, sea-ranching and blue carbon projects. Integrate with MISHTI and Coastal Regulation Zone norms. Example: Artificial reefs.
6. Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: Shift from production targets to ecosystem health indicators. Adopt scientific stock assessments, marine protected areas and adaptive catch limits. Example: Ecosystem approach.
7. Institutional Reforms: Harmonise State MFRAs with the Indian Marine Fisheries Bill. Integrate ICAR-CMFRI, INCOIS, Coast Guard and State Fisheries Departments under a unified marine governance platform. Example: Whole-of-government approach.

Way Forward

1. Operationalise the Blue Economy Strategy through sustainable deep-sea fisheries.
2. Expand PMMSY support for green fishing technologies.
3. Strengthen regional cooperation with Sri Lanka, Maldives and BIMSTEC on marine conservation.
4. Balance livelihood security with biodiversity conservation under SDG-14 (Life Below Water).

Conclusion

India’s Blue Economy must protect marine ecosystems alongside livelihoods, ensuring ecological security, resilient coastal communities and prosperity for future generations.