Context:

• India’s development strategy increasingly emphasises inclusive growth, with the idea of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.
• The next phase of this inclusive growth can come from India’s vast marine and fisheries resources, particularly through sustainable exploitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and high seas.
• The approach seeks to transform geographical and economic marginalisation into opportunity by recognising backward districts as Aspirational Districts, border settlements as Vibrant Villages, and the Northeast as Ashtalakshmi.

From Green and White to Blue Revolution:

• India’s development experience has witnessed major transformations -
  • Green revolution: Addressed food shortages and strengthened India’s contribution to global food security. India is now among the leading producers of rice, wheat, pulses and millets.
  • White revolution: Eliminated chronic milk shortages and dependence on dairy imports, making India the world’s largest milk producer.
  • Blue revolution: The fisheries and aquaculture sector represents the next major opportunity for food security, nutrition, employment and exports.
• The blue economy broadly refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and employment while preserving marine ecosystem health. 

India’s Untapped Maritime Potential:

• India has over 11,000 km of coastline; an EEZ of nearly 24 lakh sq km; and a rich maritime heritage and substantial marine biodiversity.
• Despite this potential, fishing historically remained concentrated close to the coastline.
• The deep waters of the EEZ and high seas offer opportunities for sustainable harvesting of high-value species such as tuna.
• The creation of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 2019 gave dedicated institutional attention to fisheries.
• The sector has subsequently emerged as a sunrise sector. India is now the 2nd-largest fish-producing country, contributing around 8% of global fish production.
• Fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of nearly 3 crore fishers and fish farmers, while fish production exceeded 195 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. 

Policy Push for Deep-Sea and High-Sea Fisheries:

• The Union Budget 2025-26 recognised the untapped potential of India’s deep waters and proposed an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries in the EEZ and high seas.
• The Fisheries Rules for the EEZ and Guidelines for Fisheries in the High Seas, 2025 mark an important shift towards expanding India’s marine fishing frontier while keeping conservation at the centre.
• A key feature is placing traditional fishing communities and their collective institutions at the centre.
• Priority is given to fisheries cooperatives; Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs); and Indian fishermen.
• This can enable fishing communities to access deeper waters, modern technology, finance and markets rather than allowing expansion to benefit only large commercial operators.

Lakshadweep - A Strategic Maritime Asset:

• Lakshadweep illustrates India’s enormous maritime potential.
• Despite having a land area of only around 32 sq km, it possesses nearly 145 km coastline; lagoon area of about 4,200 sq km; territorial waters exceeding 20,000 sq km; and EEZ of about 4 lakh sq km.
• Thus, Lakshadweep accounts for nearly one-sixth of India’s EEZ, highlighting the strategic and economic significance of India’s island territories.
• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has also supported fisheries development projects in Lakshadweep.

Fisheries as an Engine of Jobs, Exports and Women’s Participation:

• India’s seafood reaches more than 120 countries. Seafood exports crossed ₹73,000 crore in the last financial year mentioned, representing a rise of over 140% since 2013-14.
• Greater use of digital authorisation systems; vessel tracking; international certification; processing and quality-control systems can improve traceability, market access and India’s competitiveness in premium seafood markets.
• Deep-sea fisheries can generate employment beyond fishing itself, including processing, cold chains, transportation, packaging, logistics and exports.
• This creates opportunities for youth and can expand women’s participation in processing and value addition.

Sustainability Must Accompany Expansion:

• The expansion of marine fisheries must not compromise ocean ecosystems.
• Unsustainable fishing, overexploitation and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing can undermine long-term food security and livelihoods.
• The new framework therefore emphasises compliance with conservation measures; sustainable harvesting; monitoring and vessel tracking; action against IUU fishing; and responsible exploitation of marine resources.

Way Forward:

• For India’s Blue Economy to become genuinely inclusive, the focus should extend from merely increasing fish production to developing a complete marine value chain.
• This requires -
  • Modern technology: GPS, satellite monitoring, deep-sea fishing technology and digital traceability.
  • Access to finance: Affordable credit and insurance for small fishers and cooperatives.
  • Cold-chain infrastructure: Reducing post-harvest losses and improving export quality.
  • Skill development: Training youth in modern fisheries, navigation, processing and marine technologies.
  • Women-led value addition: Greater participation in processing, packaging and marketing.
  • Marine conservation: Science-based catch limits, sustainable fishing practices and stronger action against IUU fishing.
  • Cooperative approach: Strengthening fisheries cooperatives and FFPOs so that local communities capture a larger share of value. 

Conclusion:

• The Blue Revolution can become an important pillar of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 by combining economic opportunity with ecological responsibility.
• Therefore, fishing must not merely remain an inherited occupation but as a modern, technology-driven and globally connected profession balancing the ‘triple bottom line’ of economic viability, social equity and ecological sustainability.