Govt. introduces Aquaculture Bill amid din in Lok Sabha

Source: The post is based on the article “Govt. introduces Aquaculture Bill amid din in Lok Sabha” published in The Hindu on 6th April 2023

What is the News?

The Government of India has introduced the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

What is the purpose of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023?

The Bill aims to amend the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

Firstly, it aims to decriminalize the offences under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act.

Secondly, it seeks to promote ease of doing business and to fine-tune the operational procedures of the authority.

Thirdly, it aims to promote newer forms of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture, such as cage culture, seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture, and pearl oyster culture.

Fourthly, it includes a provision to prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances that are harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture.

What is the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005?

The act provides for the establishment of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority for regulating the activities connected with coastal aquaculture in coastal areas and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 

The Act mandates Central Government 1) To take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the regulation of coastal aquaculture by prescribing guidelines, 2) To ensure that coastal aquaculture does not cause any detriment to the coastal environment and 3) Concept of responsible coastal aquaculture shall be followed in regulating coastal aquaculture activities to protect the livelihood of various sections of people living in the coastal areas.