Inshore Marine Fisheries in India: Sustainability, Challenges & Way Forward

7 Jul 2026

GS III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment; Environment

Context: Despite official claims that 91.1% of India’s marine fish stocks are sustainable, concerns persist over the degradation of inshore fishing ecosystems, weak coastal governance, and the unchecked expansion of mechanised trawling, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of marine fisheries.

Official Assessment

Government’s Sustainability Claim: Based on Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) estimates, the Government of India states that most commercial fish stocks are in good health, with 91.1% of the 135 assessed fish stocks found sustainable in 2022.
Contrasting FAO Assessment: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) maintains that most major marine fish stocks are fully exploited, highlighting overcapacity, unregulated access, and increasing competition between mechanised trawlers and small-scale fishers.
Limitations of Stock Assessment: Unlike many countries that conduct scientific stock assessments at sea, CMFRI primarily relies on fish landing data to estimate fish stocks within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which may not accurately reflect the actual health of marine resources.

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Declining Inshore Marine Ecosystems

Degradation of Coastal Habitats: The principal concern is not merely overfishing, but the deterioration of the inshore benthic ecosystem, which supports the breeding, feeding and growth of commercially valuable fish species.
Ecological Drivers: Declining fisheries are linked to reduced river nutrient flows due to dams, mangrove destruction, industrial, agricultural and urban pollution, and habitat degradation, all of which disproportionately affect coastal waters.
Importance of the Continental Shelf: India’s relatively narrow continental shelf, particularly within the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters, constitutes the country’s most productive fishing zone and therefore requires stronger ecological protection.

Key Challenges

Rapid Expansion of Mechanised Trawling: Since its introduction around 1960, mechanised trawling has expanded rapidly, with over 64,000 mechanised fishing vessels operating and fleet capacity continuing to increase.
Ecological Degradation: Continuous bottom trawling damages the seabed, destroys marine flora and fauna, weakens fish breeding habitats, while pollution, mangrove loss, and reduced river nutrient flows further degrade inshore ecosystems.
Livelihood Conflicts: Expansion of mechanised trawlers has intensified conflicts with small-scale traditional fishers and contributed to India–Sri Lanka fisheries disputes in the Palk Bay.
Weak Fisheries Governance: Poor enforcement of the 5-nautical-mile fishing restriction, inadequate patrolling capacity, and limited participation of traditional fishing communities have weakened sustainable fisheries management.
Increasing Pressure on Offshore Fisheries: Continued degradation of inshore waters is forcing both small-scale and mechanised fishers towards offshore and deep-sea fishing, increasing operational costs and resource pressure.

Way Forward

Reorient Fisheries Policy: Shift the focus from expanding deep-sea fishing to restoring inshore fisheries, as the FAO estimates only marginal gains from deeper waters while coastal ecosystems remain the foundation of India’s marine fisheries.
Restore Coastal Ecosystems: Prioritise mangrove conservation, reduction of marine pollution, protection of the benthic ecosystem, and rationalisation of mechanised trawling to revive fish breeding habitats.
Strengthen Fisheries Governance: Improve enforcement of coastal fishing regulations, enhance scientific stock and ecosystem monitoring, build State and Central institutional capacity, and ensure greater participation of traditional fishing communities.
Address Transboundary Challenges: Strengthen management of the Palk Bay through regulation of mechanised trawling and enhanced India–Sri Lanka cooperation for sustainable fisheries.

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Conclusion

Ensuring the long-term sustainability of India’s fisheries requires shifting the focus from production targets to ecosystem conservation, supported by stronger coastal governance, scientific management, and balanced protection of both marine resources and fisher livelihoods.